Antonally Levchenko GIAP 57 Spitfire Mk Vb

[andreww]

I started this with the Tamiya 1:48 Spitfire Mk Vb from my shelf.  In the box, I had collected CMK control surfaces, port wing gun bays, a radio bay and main wheels.  I had Aries fishtail exhaust stubs and a prop / spinner.  I had Eduard masks and the photo etch set for this aircraft, Eduard / HGW superfabric seatbelts.  I ordered a set of AML decals and went through my Vallejo paints to find RAF dark green, RAF sky, Ocean Grey and Medium Sea Grey.  Between Alclad Aqua Gloss and Vallejo paints there is some oil paint panel line wash, an EZ Line antenna and a scratch built, tape and brass rod, ammo belt.  I had fun with this one, the biggest challenges being the fragility of AML's decals and the initially poor fit of CMK's gun bays.  Got around those issues pretty quickly, though.  I played a lot with black basing and with Vallejo mediums and transparency. 

This is my first completed work since joining this community and my 3rd recent complete work since taking 7 years off.

[stikpusher]

Beautiful finish! This is a great example of a well used aircraft.

[handiabled]

Wonderful build! The weathered camo and Soviet marking on this look stellar!

[TJ]

Fantastic.

[lyle]

Awesome work.

[andreww]

Thank you all very much. It was fun to build and share with such a supportive community!

[406 Silverado]

You sure put on quite a show with this build Andrew. Love the tape and brass rod ammo belt and the fact that you made those CMK gun bays look the part. I've dealt with CMK stuff before so I know that some of their AM kits can be tricky to work with. We're not only glad to have you onboard with MSC but also back in the modeling realm. Like you, I took a LONG break from modeling before returning to it full time since 2011. Haven't looked back since and love it.

Looking forward to your next modeling project as you've sure done this one up GOOD!!

[andreww]

Thank you very much, 406. I've started on my next one a bit, Eduard's 1:48 BF 109 F2, and with their 3D printed cockpit and 3D decal instrument panel *chef's kiss*. I think it should be fun.

[Tojo72]

Very nice,but kinda weird to see it with those stars on the wings !!!

[kyledehart5]

Brilliant Andrew!! I really enjoyed your build process. And this one sure came out great. Nicely done.

[andreww]

Tojo, it certainly looks out of place with the stars, I agree. Thank you very much, Kyle. I think it was worth the very mild frustration I encountered.

[jeaton01]

Well done, Andrew, lots of effort and skill on show here. Would look good with a dark sky background, that somber feel.

[andreww]

Thank you John!! I'll have to look at photo shopping in a background.

[406 Silverado]

Feb 22, 2024 12:57:08 GMT -5 andreww said:

Thank you very much, 406. I've started on my next one a bit, Eduard's 1:48 BF 109 F2, and with their 3D printed cockpit and 3D decal instrument panel *chef's kiss*. I think it should be fun.

  Well heck.......get a thread started on that Andrew. Would love to see that one. 

[Medicman71]

Wow! It looks great!

[Steve Zuleski]

Man, that's a good lookin bird and I like the details!

[andreww]

Thank you both MedicMan and Steve, greatly appreciated!