Airfix 1:24th Spitfire restoration and new builds
I got the (boxed) 1/24th Spitfire MkIa at an auction a few years back before Airfix re-released them as part of their vintage classics range. I hadn't returned to model building at the time, but it was a silly cheap price as the decals are shot, but all the parts still sealed in the original bag.
This last weekend I got my hands on a mint 24th scale Spitfire Vb from a junk shop tucked away in the grounds of a small garden centre, just 15mins drive away from home. The box was still sealed, and for £35 I was quite happy. I was even allowed to open the box to check it was complete and not previously tampered with before handing the money over!
So now my old surviving MkIa has been recovered and is now seeing daylight for the first time in many years. Considering it's been at the bottom of a box of built models it emerged remarkably complete: one prop blade snapped at the collar and the aerial mast broken off at the base (but still attached to the tail fin by a thread). Aside from a liberal coating of grime and paint/decal damage, the wings have lost their dihedral, and the rubber tyres have gone hard but are still in perfect shape.
So now my old surviving MkIa has been recovered and is now seeing daylight for the first time in many years. Considering it's been at the bottom of a box of built models it emerged remarkably complete: one prop blade snapped at the collar and the aerial mast broken off at the base (but still attached to the tail fin by a thread). Aside from a liberal coating of grime and paint/decal damage, the wings have lost their dihedral, and the rubber tyres have gone hard but are still in perfect shape.
So now my old surviving MkIa has been recovered and is now seeing daylight for the first time in many years. Considering it's been at the bottom of a box of built models it emerged remarkably complete: one prop blade snapped at the collar and the aerial mast broken off at the base (but still attached to the tail fin by a thread). Aside from a liberal coating of grime and paint/decal damage, the wings have lost their dihedral, and the rubber tyres have gone hard but are still in perfect shape.
So now my old surviving MkIa has been recovered and is now seeing daylight for the first time in many years. Considering it's been at the bottom of a box of built models it emerged remarkably complete: one prop blade snapped at the collar and the aerial mast broken off at the base (but still attached to the tail fin by a thread). Aside from a liberal coating of grime and paint/decal damage, the wings have lost their dihedral, and the rubber tyres have gone hard but are still in perfect shape.
After a quick bath, she's starting to look a little respectable - however the strip and rebuild is imminent!
The engine is in place under the fixed cowling, and at this point looks complete. Removing a few gun access panels reveals they're missing, as are the ammo boxes....
Well she came apart without any real issues! ?
A few things became apparent - the rudder pedals in the cockpit were missing, as were the 303's and ammo boxes in the wings. The pitot tube under the wing was also gone.
A few things became apparent - the rudder pedals in the cockpit were missing, as were the 303's and ammo boxes in the wings. The pitot tube under the wing was also gone.
After digging out my second spares box, I found the pedals, all the ammo boxes and 7 of the 8 Brownings.... plus one that's survived from the very first one I built in the early 80's (hence the 7 in gun metal and 1 in matt black). A bonus was finding 'fresh' main wheel hubs, again surviving from the first 24th Spitfire I built. Bizarrely, one thing that had survived has now vanished - the main radio mast! ?
Still a good step forward. Now to plan the clean-up, paint stripping, and get studying the build instructions alongside some photo references?
Still a good step forward. Now to plan the clean-up, paint stripping, and get studying the build instructions alongside some photo references?
The bulk of the Merlin is now stripped of its old enamel paint and waiting for a final clean up. I'll be fettling this along with the Merlins for the other MkIa and the Vb. The paint was stripped using Revell Paint Remover. This was just dripped onto the parts with an eye-dropper and allowed to soak in. You could see the paint lifting in barely two minutes, and came away by gently scrubbing with an old flat paintbrush. Some of the deeper recesses needed a second dose, but overall they've come out well and should clean up nicely.
The bulk of the Merlin is now stripped of its old enamel paint and waiting for a final clean up. I'll be fettling this along with the Merlins for the other MkIa and the Vb. The paint was stripped using Revell Paint Remover. This was just dripped onto the parts with an eye-dropper and allowed to soak in. You could see the paint lifting in barely two minutes, and came away by gently scrubbing with an old flat paintbrush. Some of the deeper recesses needed a second dose, but overall they've come out well and should clean up nicely.
The bulk of the Merlin is now stripped of its old enamel paint and waiting for a final clean up. I'll be fettling this along with the Merlins for the other MkIa and the Vb. The paint was stripped using Revell Paint Remover. This was just dripped onto the parts with an eye-dropper and allowed to soak in. You could see the paint lifting in barely two minutes, and came away by gently scrubbing with an old flat paintbrush. Some of the deeper recesses needed a second dose, but overall they've come out well and should clean up nicely.
Next set of parts from my 30+ year old 1/24th Spitfire MkIa restoration underway - cockpit parts now getting stripped and cleaned up.
A couple of pins gone on one seat bracket, and the base of the reflector gunsight detached (but safe), but otherwise still going essentially trouble free.
To keep this process manageable I'm following the original build instructions, only stripping the parts required for one build stage at a time. This currently gives me about an hour/hour and a half at the workbench per evening, keeps the workload light and adds to the feeling of progression ?
A couple of pins gone on one seat bracket, and the base of the reflector gunsight detached (but safe), but otherwise still going essentially trouble free.
To keep this process manageable I'm following the original build instructions, only stripping the parts required for one build stage at a time. This currently gives me about an hour/hour and a half at the workbench per evening, keeps the workload light and adds to the feeling of progression ?
Next set of parts from my 30+ year old 1/24th Spitfire MkIa restoration underway - cockpit parts now getting stripped and cleaned up.
A couple of pins gone on one seat bracket, and the base of the reflector gunsight detached (but safe), but otherwise still going essentially trouble free.
To keep this process manageable I'm following the original build instructions, only stripping the parts required for one build stage at a time. This currently gives me about an hour/hour and a half at the workbench per evening, keeps the workload light and adds to the feeling of progression ?
A couple of pins gone on one seat bracket, and the base of the reflector gunsight detached (but safe), but otherwise still going essentially trouble free.
To keep this process manageable I'm following the original build instructions, only stripping the parts required for one build stage at a time. This currently gives me about an hour/hour and a half at the workbench per evening, keeps the workload light and adds to the feeling of progression ?
Still more parts in the paint stripper for my old Spitfire MkIa..... but now it comes to this old fella, who was brush painted with enamels back in the day. Almost seems a shame after 30+ years, but while I would have been chuffed to bits with him at the time, sadly I don't feel he reflects my current standard, and needs a repaint along with his trusty mount!
The 1/24th Spitfire rebuild continues to move forward; some minor tidying up of a few spots of stubborn paint on the fuselage (seems to be where it's mixed with poly cement) but otherwise pleased with how clean it's come off. The mounting frame for the engine cowling needs some major TLC though!
Also found the build instructions for not only this 33 year old model, but also for the very first 24th scale Spitfire I built back in the early 80's (she is long gone though). Interesting the subtle (and not so subtle) changes in layout and printing, and the variations in build detail as the simplified with electric motor and full engine detail with electric motor being omitted in the later set of instructions.
Progress with the 33yr old 1/24th Airfix Spitfire MkIa strip and rebuild, plus the MkIa and MkVb new builds:
All three Merlins are now together and ready for primer. The magnetos, props, spinners and coolant header tank are all currently dry fit to allow for ease of painting.
With these Merlin's done, it's now onto the cockpit components.
All three Merlins are now together and ready for primer. The magnetos, props, spinners and coolant header tank are all currently dry fit to allow for ease of painting.
With these Merlin's done, it's now onto the cockpit components.
Progress not as rapid as hoped in the last week due to other commitments, however the fettling of parts plus the clean up and repair of the stripped MkIa resumed today and gained pace nicely - I reckon there's still a couple of weeks to go before I start thinking of firing the airbrush up on these three though!
Progress with the 33yr old 1/24th Airfix Spitfire MkIa strip and rebuild, plus the MkIa and MkVb new builds:
It's taken a couple of weeks of doing an hour or so here and there, but I can finally put a line under a significant stage of the project with all the subassembly parts for the three aircraft cleaned, fettled plus assembled tailplanes and rudders to join the previously assembled Merlins. Some of the parts from the refurb MkIa need some minor repairs where minor details, location pins or corner edges has broken off or worn, but I'll tackle those as part of the process at their specific painting/building stages.
The next port of call will be cleaning up and fettling the fuselage halves and the upper/lower wing sections while starting to get some colour on the Merlins.
The stripped MkIa is going to need some extra care in order to clean up the old glue residue on both fuselage and wings, as well as cleaning and repairing the engine bay framework on the fuselage. The MkVb wings require some panel cutting and modding to allow for the installation of the 20mm cannons, while all three aircraft I think will benefit from the addition of a wing spar/inner strengthener to reduce the chance of wing droop occurring in years to come.
It's taken a couple of weeks of doing an hour or so here and there, but I can finally put a line under a significant stage of the project with all the subassembly parts for the three aircraft cleaned, fettled plus assembled tailplanes and rudders to join the previously assembled Merlins. Some of the parts from the refurb MkIa need some minor repairs where minor details, location pins or corner edges has broken off or worn, but I'll tackle those as part of the process at their specific painting/building stages.
The next port of call will be cleaning up and fettling the fuselage halves and the upper/lower wing sections while starting to get some colour on the Merlins.
The stripped MkIa is going to need some extra care in order to clean up the old glue residue on both fuselage and wings, as well as cleaning and repairing the engine bay framework on the fuselage. The MkVb wings require some panel cutting and modding to allow for the installation of the 20mm cannons, while all three aircraft I think will benefit from the addition of a wing spar/inner strengthener to reduce the chance of wing droop occurring in years to come.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've been working on the cleaning up and repair of the starboard fuselage half of the old MkIa I originally built back in the 1980's. The photos show the damage to the engine bay framework for mounting the cowling, glue residue and damage and ejector pin marks that had been left untouched, and the results of the clean-up and repair work.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
I've cleaned off the remains of the old polystyrene cement along with any split lines still present, and repaired and cleaned up the engine bay frame and lower bay cowling. Some holes still need re-drilling in the framework, but I'll do this for the entire frame in one session. The location slot for the tail plane has also been cleaned up, as has the glue residue damage around the canopy fixing points (especially around the windscreen), tailwheel location, upper radio mast and fuselage light mounting.
Comments
7 26 April 2021, 21:15
wilkyI've always wanted to build a 1/24 aircraft.
Once I finish my Stage Coach I'm going to build the Mosquito
27 April 2021, 23:07
Rob HendersonThat'll be a fantastic build to get stuck in to! I've not got one in my own stash, but the photos I've seen of built examples, it looks an absolutely stunning kit to do. Hope you'll share the progress you make with it to us all here!
27 April 2021, 23:33
wilkyI have both kits now.
I recently purchased the A25001A kit so I can keep my A25001
I also purchased some aftermarket decals so I can still do a RAAF version
28 April 2021, 01:25
Rob HendersonLooking forward to seeing this come together Wilky - will be great to see one in colours other than RAF too! ??
28 April 2021, 17:49
Andy BallHi Rob, feeling your pain....currently at altitude with the "new" re-box 24th 'Classic'. Pleased you're resurrecting the old school kit!
28 April 2021, 20:26
Rob HendersonHi Andy - I figured after surviving for so long she deserved a second chance! Plus with the other two boxed examples waiting in the wings, it seemed like the perfect moment to get them all underway 🙂
29 April 2021, 22:28
Album info
Inspiration: jumps on you out of the blue from attic recoveries and lucky junk shop finds!
I know I've recently spoilt myself rotten with a multitude of Eduard early war Spitfires, but I do have a weakspot for the odd nostalgia build - revisiting those kits built as a youngster when you find them up for grabs.
I got the (boxed) 1/24th Spitfire MkIa at an auction a few years back before Airfix re-released them as part of their vintage classics range. I hadn't returned to model building at the time, but it was a silly cheap price as the decals are shot, but all the parts still sealed in the original bag. It was another "when I return to the hobby" purchase which has been sitting patiently in the wings ever since. I had previously built two examples. The first in the early 1980's is now long gone. The second built in 1988 when I was 16 survives and has been tucked away in various attics since the early 1990's.
This weekend I got my hands on a mint 24th scale Spitfire Vb from a junk shop tucked away in the grounds of a small garden centre, just 15mins drive away from home. The box was still sealed, and for £35 I was quite happy. I was even allowed to open the box to check it was complete and not previously tampered with before handing the money over!
So now my old surviving MkIa has been recovered and is now seeing daylight for the first time in many years. Considering it's been at the bottom of a box of built models it emerged remarkably complete: one prop blade snapped at the collar and the aerial mast broken off at the base (but still attached to the tail fin by a thread). Aside from a liberal coating of grime and paint/decal damage, the wings have lost their dihedral, and the rubber tyres have gone hard but are still in perfect shape. All the gun covers and engine cowling were fixed in place, but I'm sure I built, painted and installed the 303's and Merlin ?
Well I think she deserves a new lease of life. My aim will be to do a full strip down and refurb, and rebuild her in line with with my two newer Spits. She will again don her markings as LO-B "Bogus" from 602sqn, while the other MkIa will become Al Deere's KL-B "Kiwi". The Vb will of course take the guise of Jan Zumbach's gun toting Donald Duck RF-D. Hopefully I'll do these three ladies justice in the long run!
