Airfix 1/24 Spitfire "the big one"

[ogrejohn]

Looking great Ian!

[406 Silverado]

Some how I missed these last couple of updates robbo. To say this one is coming together very nicely is simply an understatement. Beautiful work on every level Ian. I'm loving every minute of watching this one come together. Are you going to display the engine with open cowlings?

[robbo]

Thanks fellas.

Yes I'll be showing it all off and the gun bays in the wings

[406 Silverado]

Jul 9, 2023 9:25:02 GMT -5 robbo said:

Thanks fellas.

Yes I'll be showing it all off and the gun bays in the wings

This one's gonna look GREAT is all I can say.

[robbo]

I do hope so

A few touch ups to the paint work before a Klear coat tomorrow

Had a wee breakage fitting the propeller, one of the engine frame snapped, had to reinforce it behind but you can see it

Camera flash is playing up again, I had to take this photo with no flash again

[deafpanzer]

Good save because I really can't see where it was repaired. I am officially now a big fan of Spitfires since my last build so I am really enjoying to follow your build.

[robbo]

Thanks Andy, glad you've got a liking for these babies, I think everyone should have at least one in the stash

[stikpusher]

Oh man, now that the prop is on, it's taking final shape... beautiful!

[jeaton01]

Nice picture, a bit more even light and you won't need the flash. Nice paintwork too!

[deafpanzer]

Jul 10, 2023 12:56:49 GMT -5 robbo said:

Thanks Andy, glad you've got a liking for these babies, I think everyone should have at least one in the stash

You should have seen my stash two years ago... I didn't have any of those British fighters or bombers. But now I have Beaufighter, Mosquito, Swordfish, and Tempest in the stash. I have built the Spitfire recently and I can't wait to buy new tooled Hurricane by Arma Hobby next.

Yep, you can be a bad influence!

[robbo]

Thanks fellas

I've got a nice Tamiya Mosquito next on the bench

[Leon]

The old girl is looking really good Ian!

[406 Silverado]

Sorry about the mishap with the engine mount Ian. She's lookin' mighty fine so far though brother. Mighty fine INDEED!!!

[robbo]

Cheers mate, I think I'm going to cut the damaged bit out and renew it with a piece of styrene. I know you can't see it but I can so it's got to go

Started decals today, got 70% of the top half done but pacing myself

[Tojo72]

That camo really came out great.

[robbo]

I know you can't see a difference but all the decs are done

[deafpanzer]

Looking real good... I love how the decals can transform everything for better!

[tcoat]

And you went with Canadian marking!

[robbo]

Decals make all the difference eh Andy

Yeah that maple leaf I can't find the story behind that as Johnny Johnson was an English pilot, the kit gave you two options, a green maple leaf or a red one, I chose the red one. Maybe someone can shed some light on it for us

[tcoat]

Jul 13, 2023 11:53:29 GMT -5 robbo said:

Decals make all the difference eh Andy

Yeah that maple leaf I can't find the story behind that as Johnny Johnson was an English pilot, the kit gave you two options, a green maple leaf or a red one, I chose the red one. Maybe someone can shed some light on it for us

OH that was an easy one. Wikipedia to the rescue. 


"Johnson took command of No. 127 Wing RCAF based at RAF Kenley after Christmas and they received the new Spitfire IX."

[robbo]

Right I've sussed it.

Johnnie was commanding a RCAF wing in England

but why have some pics got a green maple leaf and others have a red one?

[robbo]

Got it same time as you lol

[tcoat]

Jul 13, 2023 12:17:36 GMT -5 robbo said:

Right I've sussed it.

Johnnie was commanding a RCAF wing in England

but why have some pics got a green maple leaf and others have a red one?

Could be it was changed at some point or people later took artistic license and changed it to red because that is the common colour today. 
Paintings, decal sets and any other modern depiction seem to be split pretty much 50/50 between the two colours so there may be no record of what it actually was.

Personally I would go with red as it seems to stand out more than green would in the black and white pictures.



LOL even the restored aircraft can't seem to stick with one colour!

[robbo]

Yup I thought the red stood out more

Cheers mate

[stikpusher]

The red or green differences could just be an artists interpretation of the original b&w photos. I seriously doubt that a squadron or wing would change their marking colors for photography purposes. Colors in unit insignia usually have historical significance that they allude to. Not to mention that depending upon type of film used, panchromatic or orthochromatic, and lens filters, certain colors will stand out more or less.

BTW, looking even better with the markings on! Not too m much farther to go now.

[406 Silverado]

Oh this is looking GREAT Ian!! It's funny how mere decals can change the whole personality of any given build and this one has done just that. An already fine build by anyones standards and then "poof!!" the decals just enhance what's already there. Good progress buddy.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

I found some History on that very plane. I also read the they did the Green Maple leaf (as opposed to the RED) for Low target visibility. That makes a lot of sense, don't it. That big roundel with a red center is a "HUGE" target.

The History of the original Spitfire EN 398

Spitfire Mk IX EN398 took its maiden flight without problems on 13th February, 1943. On 18th February the aircraft was delivered to No 402 (Canadian) Squadron at RAF Kenley. There Ian Keltie took possession of it and used EN398 (then coded AE*I) exclusively until mid March (by now coded AE*B), when 402 moved. Keltie's last mission in EN398 occurred on March 13. When 402 moved however, EN398 was left for their replacement squadron, also Canadian, No 416 Squadron.

Kenley housed four RCAF squadrons - Nos 403 and 416 with Spitfire Mk IXs, and 411and 421 with Spitfire Mk Vs. On 16 March the then Wg Cdr 'Johnnie' Johnson arrived to lead the wing. Surprisingly, it seems EN398 was still undergoing acceptance checks (26 days after delivery? - and several operations!) when it caught the eye of the new Wing Leader. He related their first meeting in his book "Wing Leader":

It is interesting to note that Johnson remained convinced, almost until his death, that EN398 was unused at this time, and the clean fresh paint was factory applied. However, the reason the paint was fresh had more to do with the removal of the "Popeye" nose art and other maintenance.

Johnson was also convinced that the Maple Leaf painted on the side just below the windshield was green rather than red.

Johnson's next step was to have his initials painted on the fuselage to establish the aircraft as his own.

Before he took the Spitfire into action Johnson demanded two more changes. EN398's guns were set to a standard harmonization pattern designed to spread the rounds evenly over a circle a few feet across so as to give the average pilot a better chance of scoring hits.

However, Johnson's shooting skills were far above the average. To concentrate all the destructive power at his command he had his aircraft's weapons harmonized to a single point. In addition, Johnson had the Gyroscopic gun site removed and his older style one from his Mk V installed in it's place as he preferred it.

By the end of May, 1943, Johnson had added six victories and one shared victory to his score, whilst flying EN398.

On 1 June he shared in the destruction of a Me 109, on the 15 June he destroyed two FW 190s, with one more on 17 June. Although EN398 was the Wing Leader's personal aircraft, and he was normally the only pilot to fly it, there was occasionally a need for the aircraft to make up the numbers during his absence.

On 20 June Sqn Ldr Robert McNair (OC 421 Sqn.) flew EN398 in action and was credited with the destruction of one FW 190.

On 24 June, Johnson destroyed a FW 190 and damaged a Me 109. Another FW 190 fell to his guns three days later.

On 15 July to he led the Wing on a fighter sweep which added a Me 109 to his score. Another one was added on 25 July, one damaged on 29 July, and a share in the destruction of one more on 30 July.

Success continued throughout August. He shared in the destruction of a Me 109 plus another one damaged on 12 August.

On 17 August the Wing escorted B-17s on their way, and return from, the ball-bearing factory at Schweinfurt. During the action Johnson shared in the destruction of a Me 110.

A further Me 109 was destroyed on 23 August. While EN398 went off to Air Service Training at Hamble for an engine change, Johnson, in a borrowed aircraft, shot down another FW 190 on 4 September. Back with EN398 he damaged a Me 109. That was to be his last claim before relinquishing his command of the Wing a few days later.

During his six months flying EN398, Johnson had shot down 12 enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of five more.

Also, he had inflicted damage on a further six enemy aircraft, plus a share in one more.

During that time EN398 had also destroyed a FW 190 whilst being flown by Robert McNair. Remarkably, EN398 never broke off a mission early through technical failure.

After Johnson moved on to No 11 Group Headquarters, EN398 went to No. 421 Squadron for a couple of weeks before sustaining damage necessitating its return to Hamble for repairs.

The aircraft never returned to operations (new aircraft were being delivered to units faster than they could be repaired by that time).

EN398 remained in store for the remainder of the war in Europe.

EN398 was retrieved in May 1946 to go to No. 80 Operational Training Unit, RAF Morpeth and Ouston, in Northumberland.

There, it was used in the training of young French pilots.

That unit was disbanded in March 1949, and EN398 took off for the final time to go to No. 29 Maintenance Unit, High Ercal, in Shropshire.

There she remained in long-term storage for three-and-a-half years. In October, 1952 Spitfire Mk IXc, serial number EN398, was sold to H. Bath & Son Ltd for scrap and was cut up soon thereafter.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 14, 2023 18:42:54 GMT -5 garydavis-Rest In Peace said:

I found some History on that very plane. I also read the they did the Green Maple leaf (as opposed to the RED) for Low target visibility. That makes a lot of sense, don't it. That big roundel with a red center is a "HUGE" target.

The History of the original Spitfire EN 398

Spitfire Mk IX EN398 took its maiden flight without problems on 13th February, 1943. On 18th February the aircraft was delivered to No 402 (Canadian) Squadron at RAF Kenley. There Ian Keltie took possession of it and used EN398 (then coded AE*I) exclusively until mid March (by now coded AE*B), when 402 moved. Keltie's last mission in EN398 occurred on March 13. When 402 moved however, EN398 was left for their replacement squadron, also Canadian, No 416 Squadron.

Kenley housed four RCAF squadrons - Nos 403 and 416 with Spitfire Mk IXs, and 411and 421 with Spitfire Mk Vs. On 16 March the then Wg Cdr 'Johnnie' Johnson arrived to lead the wing. Surprisingly, it seems EN398 was still undergoing acceptance checks (26 days after delivery? - and several operations!) when it caught the eye of the new Wing Leader. He related their first meeting in his book "Wing Leader":

It is interesting to note that Johnson remained convinced, almost until his death, that EN398 was unused at this time, and the clean fresh paint was factory applied. However, the reason the paint was fresh had more to do with the removal of the "Popeye" nose art and other maintenance.

Johnson was also convinced that the Maple Leaf painted on the side just below the windshield was green rather than red.

Johnson's next step was to have his initials painted on the fuselage to establish the aircraft as his own.

Before he took the Spitfire into action Johnson demanded two more changes. EN398's guns were set to a standard harmonization pattern designed to spread the rounds evenly over a circle a few feet across so as to give the average pilot a better chance of scoring hits.

However, Johnson's shooting skills were far above the average. To concentrate all the destructive power at his command he had his aircraft's weapons harmonized to a single point. In addition, Johnson had the Gyroscopic gun site removed and his older style one from his Mk V installed in it's place as he preferred it.

By the end of May, 1943, Johnson had added six victories and one shared victory to his score, whilst flying EN398.

On 1 June he shared in the destruction of a Me 109, on the 15 June he destroyed two FW 190s, with one more on 17 June. Although EN398 was the Wing Leader's personal aircraft, and he was normally the only pilot to fly it, there was occasionally a need for the aircraft to make up the numbers during his absence.

On 20 June Sqn Ldr Robert McNair (OC 421 Sqn.) flew EN398 in action and was credited with the destruction of one FW 190.

On 24 June, Johnson destroyed a FW 190 and damaged a Me 109. Another FW 190 fell to his guns three days later.

On 15 July to he led the Wing on a fighter sweep which added a Me 109 to his score. Another one was added on 25 July, one damaged on 29 July, and a share in the destruction of one more on 30 July.

Success continued throughout August. He shared in the destruction of a Me 109 plus another one damaged on 12 August.

On 17 August the Wing escorted B-17s on their way, and return from, the ball-bearing factory at Schweinfurt. During the action Johnson shared in the destruction of a Me 110.

A further Me 109 was destroyed on 23 August. While EN398 went off to Air Service Training at Hamble for an engine change, Johnson, in a borrowed aircraft, shot down another FW 190 on 4 September. Back with EN398 he damaged a Me 109. That was to be his last claim before relinquishing his command of the Wing a few days later.

During his six months flying EN398, Johnson had shot down 12 enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of five more.

Also, he had inflicted damage on a further six enemy aircraft, plus a share in one more.

During that time EN398 had also destroyed a FW 190 whilst being flown by Robert McNair. Remarkably, EN398 never broke off a mission early through technical failure.

After Johnson moved on to No 11 Group Headquarters, EN398 went to No. 421 Squadron for a couple of weeks before sustaining damage necessitating its return to Hamble for repairs.

The aircraft never returned to operations (new aircraft were being delivered to units faster than they could be repaired by that time).

EN398 remained in store for the remainder of the war in Europe.

EN398 was retrieved in May 1946 to go to No. 80 Operational Training Unit, RAF Morpeth and Ouston, in Northumberland.

There, it was used in the training of young French pilots.

That unit was disbanded in March 1949, and EN398 took off for the final time to go to No. 29 Maintenance Unit, High Ercal, in Shropshire.

There she remained in long-term storage for three-and-a-half years. In October, 1952 Spitfire Mk IXc, serial number EN398, was sold to H. Bath & Son Ltd for scrap and was cut up soon thereafter.

WOW!! Now that's some good history and one heckuva time line/ story Gary!! Thank you for sharing that with us bud as it was a very interesting and informative read!

[dupes]

I am SO far behind. Man, this looks fantastic!

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Sorry Ian...I didn't leave a comment on your FANTASTIC Spitfire. A GREAT job for sure. I really enjoyed following along on your WIP also. I am WWI and WWII plane guy. You sure hit the mark on this one for sure.