Ziper's 1/24 Spitfire Mk.Vb

[Guest]

Thank you mates.

You may have noticed that apart from some "I like" and few posts I've been a bit absent from the forum. This is because my spare time has reduced and I've reached a stall condition on my build.

Since the last post I progressed painting the engine and discovered that the overall look was not convincing.

I thought that a 1:24 model should have a realistic engine and it was not. Plus the engine in the box is the version for the Mk.I while I'm building a Mk.Vb. So I printed a picture in almost scale and compared it to the model: ouch! Then I tried the engine on the fuselage and discovered that the bottom half of the engine, close to the turbocharger, was missing. So I went back on the bench.

I remade the water pump:

[ATTACH]99181.IPB[/ATTACH]


The inter cooler water pump:

[ATTACH]99180.IPB[/ATTACH]


The ignition box (?), close to the kit one:

[ATTACH]99182.IPB[/ATTACH]


The fastener on the turbocharger, which still need a lot of work as it is the main change between the two Merlins:

[ATTACH]99183.IPB[/ATTACH]


I worked also on the exhaust (hope my interpretation is correct):

[ATTACH]99184.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]99185.IPB[/ATTACH]


And an overall view:

[ATTACH]99186.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]99187.IPB[/ATTACH]


Current plan is to keep open only the port side panel.

Now I need to understand how to continue modifying the turbocharger and reconstructing the missing parts (even good pictures need interpretation to be converted to a 3D model.

Hope you like it, critiques, as usual, welcome.

Francesco

[Ian M]

That is some improvement Francesco... Looking very nice.

Ian M

[stona]

Very nice work. I admire your determination to improve this old kit.

Cheers

Steve

[flyjoe180]

That's a big improvement and well researched too, Francesco.

[colin m]

Great work. Looking forward to seeing the complete engine.

[Dave W]

Looking good Francesco.

[Guest]

Thanks, your comments are helping me to go on. And if you see a mistake, please let me know.

Few more bits ongoing, fuel pump:

[ATTACH]99537.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]99538.IPB[/ATTACH]


(Sorry for the bad pic) should be better than the one moulded on the engine (see pic in previous post) and the ongoing turbocharger:

[ATTACH]99539.IPB[/ATTACH]


Hope you like it

Francesco

[Guest]

... and for those interested in replicating this Merlin, surely doing a better job than mine, this is the one I'm referring to

[ATTACH]99553.IPB[/ATTACH]


This is a Merlin 46 with a two-stage super charger mounted on a Spitfire Mk.Vc in 1942, so likely more correct than the Merlin III included in the kit for the Mk.I.

More pictures are available from the Victoria Museum where this Merlin is displayed.

[BarryW]

Nice work on the Merlin Francesco. That pic certainly gives you some super detailing opportunities.

[Dave W]

Nice detail work.Even in this scale those parts are very small and must be difficult to build.

[Guest]

Thanks mates.


I'm moving along with this.


After priming, sanding, I should have done more, and some painting this is how is going to look.


[ATTACH]100574.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]100575.IPB[/ATTACH]



I may move on the unplanned port side as you can imagine from the oil pump close to the engine.


Hope you like it


Francesco

[colin m]

Great engine. Exhausts look really good.

[Guest]

Thanks Colin,


Still lot to do, as the injection tubing has to be redone.


I'm still thinking how to progress with painting. The engine should be painted all black, but this would fade many details. 8i could play with chipping but only on the top. The bottom part either I leave it in alu or go with a heavy dry brush. Let's see...


Francesco

[Ian M]

WOW! is all can muster right now.


Ian M

[flyjoe180]

Yep, another Francesco masterclass. That Merlin is looking awesome!