Revell Spitfire MK IIA

[Jeff the 57th]

I've been going back and forth about what to build next. Feeling pretty low in the modelling mojo department played a pretty big factor. In the end I pulled down a few box covers for my 2yr old son to look at he liked the spit best. As good a reason as any so away we go.



All the resin has me a little out of my comfort zone since it's the first time using it. Another worry is my father-in-law is a really nice guy, but when it comes to Spitfires he's a pretty hardcore rivet counter. My wife warning me "Never build a Spitfire, he'll drive you crazy.", kind of serious about it. Oh Joy.

Couple hours in an here's where I am with it.



Pretty nice kit so far a few sink marks but nothing major. Biggest frustration with the kit so far is the silly revell box and the non-sequential way the parts are numbered. I upgraded the box, but looks like I'm playing wheres waldo with the sprue trees for the next little while.

Cheers

#57

[deafpanzer]

Great choice my #57 friend! Somebody has to shoot down all of those 109's we are seeing a lot lately here. LOL

[wbill76]

Just swap out the box with one for a 109 whenever your father-in-law comes by and you'll be set! Looks like you're off to a good start Jeff. Don't sweat the resin, it's not nearly as tough to work with as long as you've got good quality castings (and it looks like you do) to start off with!

[JimD]

Nice. Glad to see you pick this one since it's on my short list. I mentioned before that the Barracuda resin is as good as it gets, and I'll say it again. You'll love it. I've not used the Xtradecals, but have heard great things about them.

I agree...I absolutely HATE the way Revell just throws part numbers all over the place without logic. On a fighter it's bad enough. Try a 1/32 two engine bomber...ugh...

Looking forward to following this one.

[george]

Good luck in your project!

[TRM]

Bout the best way I could figure to pick the next build for yourself!! Your son did well! Nice bit of AM to throw at it as well! Count me in! As for the Pops-in-law...I would have to have you tell him to look at Rule One of the MSC unwritten book of guidelines where is clearly states...and I quote, " Build what you like, when you like and how you like it, the only rule is to have FUN while doing it! Enjoy the build as I am sure we will!!

[Leon]

Off to a good start #57!

[moramarth]

Looking at the resin, did you get this set?:

www.hannants.co.uk/product/BCR32175

Cheers,

M

[Rick]

Great taste your two year old has five-seven. And kudos to you for all those groovy extras. Bah! to that rivet counter father in law of yours. While your building your beautiful 109 shooter downer, I'd tell him your son picked out the kit and the color and he wants it ORANGE. Let him stew on that! Build on!

Rick

[sturmbird]

first time I've seen Roy's resin up close. Nice stuff! You are aware that the Revell kits builds into a nice MK. Va out of the box?

Got three of those kits, and want to do Bader's 5a and who knows what else. I'll take the Revell kits for 1/3 the price of a Tamigawa everytime.
gary

[JimD]

Jan 21, 2015 3:07:20 GMT -5 sturmbird said:

first time I've seen Roy's resin up close. Nice stuff! You are aware that the Revell kits builds into a nice MK. Va out of the box?

Got three of those kits, and want to do Bader's 5a and who knows what else. I'll take the Revell kits for 1/3 the price of a Tamigawa everytime.
gary

I honestly believe that anyone who build WW2 fighters in 1/32 should experience a Tamiya super kit at least once in their lives. That being said, they can kind of spoil everything else for you. Fortunately, with the Spit the choice is easy if you're needing a specific variant since they didn't do the early marks.

[Jeff the 57th]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.  

The father-in-law is a great guy and I don't want to come across like he gets on my nerves too much.  I mean he gave me the Barracuda stuff when he heard I bought the spit, and he's really into the hobby so I can't fault him too much.  But I asked him once what the difference was between a MKI and MKII and that was 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back.  

@ M - I did get a hold of that set too must have left it in box for photo. I think I'm most worried about that one of the bunch since it involves cutting plastic.


It's no orange spitfire, but if I ever get around to a MK IX I might build a PRU Pink one for kicks.  Certainly stand out on the shelf.


Thanks for the tip on the MKVa.

I'm not that experienced with 1/32 aircraft, so my opinion isn't as well informed as others but I do like Revell kits. I have a hard time spending $100 bucks plus on a tamiya kit when I picked up the spit and a 1/32 ju-88 a-1 for $45 combined.  However I don't see any sense in why they number the parts on the trees the way they do. Maybe the moldmaker is just kind of an a$$hole. That Junker looks like an awesome kit, but not looking forward to searching for parts.

I'll try to get some progress photos up tomorrow.

Cheers

#57

[JimD]

The Ju-88 is a freaking gorgeous kit. Ha ha...have fun with that one and finding parts. I didn't use the kit cockpit, though it's one of the best OOB I've seen...so at least I didn't have to search too much for those parts...though if I do recall correctly I think most of those were on just a couple of the sprues.

I looked at the instructions for the oil cooler set before and I don't think you'll have too much trouble. It is a little nerve wrecking, but doesn't look too troublesome. The beauty of doing it on the Revell kit is if you do mess up too badly they can be replaced cheaply enough.

[sturmbird]

Jan 21, 2015 9:07:57 GMT -5 JimD said:

Jan 21, 2015 3:07:20 GMT -5 sturmbird said:

first time I've seen Roy's resin up close. Nice stuff! You are aware that the Revell kits builds into a nice MK. Va out of the box?

Got three of those kits, and want to do Bader's 5a and who knows what else. I'll take the Revell kits for 1/3 the price of a Tamigawa everytime.
gary

I honestly believe that anyone who build WW2 fighters in 1/32 should experience a Tamiya super kit at least once in their lives. That being said, they can kind of spoil everything else for you. Fortunately, with the Spit the choice is easy if you're needing a specific variant since they didn't do the early marks.

I have the A6m5 Zero from Tamiya. Rather had an A6m2b, but for $75 I won't bitch much. Yet the $`140 mustang will never happen at my house. Even the ZM kit could have been had for $80 at one time. Neither kit is perfect, and if I spend $140, it'd better be able to fly.

Sorry, but I've never fallen for the Tamiya hype. Good kits for sure, but 25% over priced (if not 33%). Had Meng done the kits in 1/32, Tamiya kits would have became collector's items. On the otherhand I like their Spitfires even though there are some errors that can be fixed with aftermarket, but are they really worth $140? Not even slightly when the Revell can be had for less than $30. Now I watch them simply rot on the shelf, and are even hard to sell when they hit the 25% off shelf.
gary

[sturmbird]

I build most multi engine kits and late jets in 1/72 for space alone, but like the larger scales a lot for WWII stuff. A few years back I bought the 1/72 scale JU88, and promptly drug out a couple Hasegawa JU88's to compare. WOW! I think I now own a half dozen Revell JU88's in one various form or another. I remember saying that it looks like Revell has arrived. Later I buy a Trumpeter ME262 in 1/32 scale for about $40. Once again WOW! I could have had two of them, and have cussed myself a few times. Sometimes Trumpeter has arrived as well. Even later I come into a GWH FW189, and once again WOW! Now I have two looking for a third.

I like BF109's, and have way too many kits from just about everybody. I don't know of any 1/72 kits in my stash, and most are 1/48th. Still I have several Hasegawa's in 1/32. Nice kits for sure, but the Revell eats them alive. I really like the 1/48th Fujimi's, and use them to gauge the others. Zvezda is the best in any scale. I wish they'd do 1/32. Now looking at my stash, I see several Tamiya kits that gotta go. Maybe 25 kits. I'll keep the Hasegawas. I want two Meng kits I want very badly, the ME163, and the ME410, and guess I'll have to bite the bullet pretty soon.

I look for Revell to do a serious MK1 Spitfire sooner than later. I'll be good for two at the minimum. Can a MKV be is the future? Lets hope so. Right along with a G14AS and a K4 BF109. Hurry up!!
gary

[Jeff the 57th]

Not the biggest update, but it's something.



Barracuda resin is living up to reputation as being easy to work with, even for a rank novice.   Minor complaint is that the cockpit side walls are pretty Spartan  I can see how the uncluttered side walls would be a benefit to someone looking to really super detail the kit as they wouldn't have to sand off a bunch of unwanted raised detail they were going to correct.  Added some wiring to busy it up slightly, but there isn't a lot to work with.   The wiring is pure baloney so I wouldn't use it as a reference.  

The pin marks look like they should be hidden entirely after assembly.  


I'll try to keep updating I'm hoping I can start painting the interior by next weekend.

Cheers

#57

[TRM]

A small update...but a worthy on at that!! Looking slick there Jeff!!

But I asked him once what the difference was between a MKI and MKII and that was 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

My first thought, now this is coming from someone who can't actually finish a wingy build (unless wrecked )or knows jack-s**t about them, but i see the time spent attentively sitting there just watching the man be animated about something he is obviously very passionate about, is certainly worth the price of admission my friend!!

Keep the lamp oil fired up on that bench!!

[deafpanzer]

Great start!

[JimD]

Great start. The wiring certainly adds some depth. Nice work!

[Jeff the 57th]

I'm still alive.

Sorry for the lack of updates. Spit's interior is ready to primer, but that work is done in my separate garage. Up until a couple days ago the back yard was covered with 3 feet of snow. I have a 2yr old that's 32" tall and knee high spaniel which are not impressed with this weather keeping them out of the yard. Between having to haul all the equipment and materials outside, preheating the garage a couple hours before painting, haul everything back in so it doesn't freeze and a attractive wife, beer and couch calling my name every night after work has really stalled progress.

I'll have a better update soon.


Cheers

#57

[deafpanzer]

Glad you are still alive... remember you have about 57 lives, correct? LOL Dealing with the snow can be no fun. Too bad I am not getting enough here in Indianapolis. I grew up in Buffalo so I enjoy seeing snow on the ground.

Looking forward to your update buddy!

[dupes]

Holy aftermarket, batman! I've heard a lot of good things about the Barracudacast stuff...but have yet to try it. Should be fun to watch.

[Leon]

Nice work on the pit side walls!

[threadbear.]

Good work on the Spitfire with a great selection of AM. Lucky you have a modelling mate in the shape of your Father in Law

[Wes]

Enjoying the work so far Jeff.

[sturmbird]

is there a source in the USA for the resin your using?
gary

[JimD]

Feb 12, 2015 15:06:20 GMT -5 sturmbird said:

is there a source in the USA for the resin your using?
gary

barracudacals.com

And free shipping all week!

[Jeff the 57th]

Thanks for all the comments, build logs keep me motivated but life is pretty busy right now.

@andy -Anyone that grew up in Buffalo knows more about snow then me. We get knee deep snow, not dig yourself out of the front door kind of snow. Oddly for not enough snow your way I was going to head down to Indy for the BIG10 championship game back in 2011 but called it due to 5 hr drive in the snow. For the best, that game broke my heart.

Feb 12, 2015 15:06:20 GMT -5 sturmbird said:

is there a source in the USA for the resin your using?
gary

Barracuda .  Coincidently they're offereing free international shipping with orders over $25 till the 15th.


Cheers


#57

[Rick]

Office is taking great shape Jeff.

Rick