discussion The silver Spitfire.

[Ian M]

Just a few photos, of Eduards excellent 1/48 scale Spitfire IXc.

I fancied a change from the norm so went for the Striped aircraft.

I believe that there are only a handful of bare metal spitfires, this is one of them.

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Sorry about the iffy photos, but I think you can get the idea.

comments welcome as always.

Ian M

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[Guest]

Excellent build Ian.

I was waiting for it, this last days

Love the silver colour, an interesting little chipping effect on the front part.

It's a quality kit, I second that, so...maybe some pics more...don't be shy..

Love it Ian! Will be an inspirationally build for me!

Regards

Polux

 

[Guest]

very nice ian

 

[eddiesolo]

Very nice build, that colour scheme does look superb. I like it sir.

Si

 

[yak face]

Looks fantastic Ian, i love to see spits in silver . Nice restrained weathering on the exhausts . This makes me want to get my airfix f mk 22 started!! cheers tony

 

[peterairfix]

May i ask what paint did you use as i fancy try it on one of my aircraft by the way thats one nice spit.

Cheers peter t

 

[Guest]

Looks great! +1 to Peter's question about what paint you used. I've never seen this scheme on a (relatively) early Spit before - what's its background?

 

[Ian M]

Thanks Chaps.

Peter, the fuselage was primed with black alclad then their gloss black. This was left to cure 24 hours then the fun bit. Alclad Airframe aluminium. That was then lightly over sprayed with polished Aluminium "hist and pist" to break the solidity and give it an unevenness to the shine....

Doug here is what the RAF site has to say about MJ250:

Spitfire Mk IX MJ250

As a living and flying memorial to these courageous and determined Spitfire pilots, Spitfire Mk LFIXe MK356 is painted to represent Spitfire Mk IX MJ250 of 601 Squadron during the Italian campaign of 1944/45. MJ250 wore the 601 Squadron code UF-Q and was unusual in that it sported a natural, polished metal, all-silver finish (as shown in the only wartime photograph that exists of the aircraft) rather than the normal European theatre grey/green camouflage worn by the other aircraft of the Squadron at this stage of the war. Exactly why MJ250 was finished in this unusual natural metal scheme is not clear, although it may simply have been a trial of an all-silver colour scheme.

Spitfire Mk LFIX MJ250 was built by Vickers Armstrong in 1943, and was fitted with a Rolls Royce Merlin Mk 66 engine. It was delivered to the RAF in October 1943 and was shipped out to the Mediterranean theatre in the SS Fort George, leaving UK in December ’43. The Air Ministry Form 78 (the movement card) for this aircraft ‘dries up’ after MJ250 arrived in theatre in early 1944 but the 601 Squadron operational records (Form 541) show that MJ250 was being flown by the Squadron from July 1944, whilst the unit was operating from the airfields at Perugia, Loreto and Fano. The aircraft was used primarily for dive-bombing operations in support of the Army’s advance up through Italy, although it also flew some bomber escort sorties. MJ250 survived the war but was then scrapped.

Ian M

 

[flyjoe180]

Beautiful build Ian, the Spitfire looks very elegant in bare metal.

 

[peterairfix]

Ta and many thanks.

Peter t

 

[colin m]

Great, what a creative way to build a Spit. I don't think I've ever seen one before.

 

[Guest]

She looks excellent, that silver finish is superb.

 

[Guest]

She looks excellent, that silver finish is superb.

 

[Guest]

Looking good! My next project will be a sliver Mk21 - in 41 Sqn markings, of course!

 

[Ian M]

Looking good! My next project will be a sliver Mk21 - in 41 Sqn markings, of course!

I'll look forward to that. If you are wondering, good old Humbrol Metalic silver is a pretty good choice for "Speed silver" and for the Fabric covers (are there such on a 21???) matt alu works well...

Thanks for the comments.

Ian M

 

[Vaughan]

A fantastic build Ian and an amazing paint job.

 

[papa 695]

It may be silver Ian but its worth a gold gong well done

 

[Guest]

First NMF spit I've seen, Ian! Love the finish on her.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info, Ian - very interesting.

 

[Guest]

Excellent build Ian.

Interesting usage of Alclad, I may use it on my P51.

Francesco