Tamiya's 1/32 SpitfireIX

[Guest]

Is that the blue tack sausages covered with Masking tape????

[stona]

That's exactly what it is Graham,I'm looking for a fairly hard edge. I've ripped off the masking to reveal........Ta Daaa.

Then the starboard side for which I have a good photo. The area of primer visible in that is still to be added.

Finally one of my spectacular close ups. If you squint you can make out the scale (hopefully) leading edge I.D. stripe.

There are a few touch ups and a bit of fine tuning to be done but overall I'm happy with this.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Nice work mate, the blu-tack masking technique is great aint it? That looks (in the style of carter pewterschmidt - "SWEEEEEEEEET")

Stuart

[Guest]

Cool Steve. I will soon be doing a 48 size Mk9 and am glad to actually see the "worm" spray mask in action.What is the diameter approx of the worms and what are they made from?

Theuns

[Guest]

Sorry I only now saw it is Blue tack. What is that? Here in SA we have a product called Presstick that is used to put posters ect up on walls.it has an oil base though.

Theuns

[Guest]

We have two sorts Theuns, you may too. We have Blue Tack which is oil based and White Tack which is not oil based. However, I have to say that I, even using both, have never seen any detriment from using Blue Tack but I have not used it as a mask other than stuffing it into cockpits and jet intakes. I have read where you should not use it as it a mask on top of a finish coat or a coat where paint is to be applied but I have not heard or read anything where someone has had a real problem.

The camo pattern looks amazing Steve and it looks like you have captured a nice edge without the stuck on look that I mentioned with tape on its own. very nice and a technique I look forward to trying.

[Ian M]

Looking great Steve. Think I will have to get hold of some of that blue-tac stuff. Can it be used again and again, or does the paint muck it up (after a time)?

Ian M

[spanner570]

Class work Steve,

I know I have said it before but the amount of effort you aircraft people put into your work, whether it is hidden or not, never ceases to amaze me and this one is no exception...

A cracking build that I am following closely.

Ron

[stona]

Thanks Graham. I used Blu-Tac and to be honest had no idea that it was oil based! I've never had any trouble with the residue that some people report however I don't leave it on for any longer than I have to. Once I've used it as a mask I don't use it for that again. The cleaner bits I will use again for other purposes,the really manky bits go in the bin. I always make sure my hands are really clean before rolling out the sausages. They aren't all exactly the same but I'd say about 2mm. This is for a fairly tight edge. I tear up Tamiya tape to fill in,it always seems to rip on a curve which is helpful! You've got the width of the sausage to help you out so it's just a matter of making it fit,you can't rush and you need to try not to flatten the Blu-Tac too much.

Now for the story of the patch/repair behind the cockpit,clearly visible in the July '43 photo. Some say it is a fresh patch of Ocean Grey but it covers an area that should be dark Green. I think that if whoever applied it had the one camouflage colour to hand they would probably have the other and would have done it correctly. Based on this and knowing that the entire airframe was primed in a grey or grey green primer before painting I've decided that this area will be in the primer. I opted for a lightened RLM02 the Luftwaffe primer with which I am familiar.

It's come out like this.

In B+W it looks like this.

And that I can live with. There will be more about this area later. It's all to do with what they may have done and this affects aerials/antennae etc!

Cheers

Steve

[stona]

This is the bit where progress is determined by things drying! Here it is with two coats of Klear brushed on. I've even run out of fiddly bits to do though I'm psyching myself up to mask the canopy parts.

Tomorrow "ze vorld", well decals anyway.

One with the Merlin loosely fitted just to prove it is a Spitfire.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Great work steve. This is really looking awesome. Great attention to detail and love the merlin. Keep up the good work.

Cheers

Kresten

[Ian M]

That is looking very nice indeed! So all finished for the weekend then! Then what are you going to do with all that time? Has the mark VIII landed over there yet? ;-)

Nice one Steve!

Ian M

[stona]

I don't know about all finished this week-end! I've "retro sprayed" the walkway lines that I forgot and have started the decals. I've got them all on the sides which I shall leave a while,then on to the wings.

Couple of progress pics.

I've heard complaints about the kit (Tamiya) decals but they seem fine to me. I haven't applied any microsol yet and I'll do a test on an unwanted decal before I splash it on the model but they've gone on nicely with a splosh of microset.....so far.

Cheers

Steve

[Ian M]

Looking great! I have used botj mico set and sol on Tamiya decals with out any problems. And I tend to use lots of sol. OK they give you a nasty fright by going a bit wrinkly but dry down well with the constant attentions of a clean sable brush. DONT take my word for it. As you say yourself, try it on one you will not use. (preferably from the same sheet if it is possible).

I find the worst are the tail flashes. Getting them to go round the front of the tail fin!

Ian M

[stona]

I find the worst are the tail flashes. Getting them to go round the front of the tail fin! Ian M

I know what you mean. Sometimes once they have dried I shave off the decal hanging over the leading edge of the fin and touch up with paint.

These decals have been fine. One of the underwing roundels has broken due to me overworking it around the various bulges/cartridge ejection chute so that will need a bit of touching up too. It's not the first time that's happened to me on a Spitfire!

Cheers

Steve