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daniel7891 · Posted: Fri 13 Mar 2009 07:02 am Post subject:

Looks great
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Daniel

Owen · Posted: Fri 13 Mar 2009 07:11 am Post subject:

Taking shape fast!

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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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TimJ · Posted: Fri 13 Mar 2009 16:36 pm Post subject:

Nice job with the masking. Looking good.
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MacTeagle · Posted: Fri 13 Mar 2009 18:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys! I'm going out the shed now to mask over the top surfaces and give my airbrush its maiden voyage on the underside.
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MacTeagle · Posted: Fri 13 Mar 2009 21:46 pm Post subject:

I've painted the underside and removed all the masking. It didn't turn out too bad, a little bit of H90 leaked through the masking tape

. It's ok, I've been able to clean some off with a tough sponge and I'll touch up in the morning before taking photos.

I've also restored the transparencies (again) Thanks again feanor! I actually developed the technique a little, doing the final polish with toothpaste on a pencil eraser. All damage from the masking is removed and a fresh coat of klear added.

Tomorrow for touching up and decal prep. Here's a question for the gurus: do I add glosscote or klear before decals and how long do I leave it to dry? Do I coat the whole model or just where the decals go?

I plan to mattcote as a final finish.
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feanor · Posted: Sat 14 Mar 2009 08:06 am Post subject:

Ayup MacTeagle...

Way to go mate...

Once you're happy, then 2 COATS of KLEAR is the next step. apply it with a nice flat brush, mine is about 1.25 inches wide, then you're ready for DECALS. you should then look something like THIS:

Each coat of Klear takes about 20 mins to half an hour to dry fully. i ALWAYS give it 1 hour beween each coat minimum. a thicker coat will take longer . if you give it an hour then there should be NO chance of lifting any with a fingertip by accident at all...

And when you get Here....

You're ready for the NEXT step... (No more pics until you catch up !)
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Flash Flash · Silver Star Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 2938

Very nice
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MacTeagle · Posted: Sat 14 Mar 2009 23:02 pm Post subject:

I've touched up all the little blemishes from the spraying, added the finishing touches and given the spitfire two coats of klear. I think another coat might finish this stage. Tomorrow I'll add the decals and mattcote.

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feanor · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 07:26 am Post subject:

Ayup MacT...

Very, very nice mate.

A note on the Decals.. on the port side, the one in the photo, you can easily line the serial letters up by using the centreline panel down the side of the fuselage. to place the first serial letter you can use the line of the canopy rail to position it, and then the others. The serial number can be located by a panel line forward of the tailplane. then the roundel can be located and the rear code letter. As you can see here..

The other side is a bit more problematic. it doesn't lie the same as the port side. BUT if you rest the rear wheel on a tin of Humbrol enamel, you can line it up with the fuselage centreline perfectly !

See here:

On the Starboard side I put on the serial number first, then the LAST serial letter ('B' in this case) and worked inward... and to tell you, there's only Just enuff room to squeeze 'em all in...

Your mileage may vary to mine, Mac, so Enjoy your Decalling. I just hope you didn't mind me pointing stuff i found out.

Best, Stu.
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

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TopGun · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 12:03 pm Post subject:

What's up the the tail wheel in the last pic?

It's on the wrong way
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feanor · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 12:53 pm Post subject:

MacTeagle · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 13:27 pm Post subject:

Mine is certainly the other way round
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MacTeagle · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 17:50 pm Post subject:

feanor thanks for the tips. Decals are now all applied, using microset and microsol. They really do bring the whole thing to life.

Guys, in your experience should I give the model another coat of klear after the decals have dried or do I go straight to applying mattcote?

Also, any tips for an aerial wire, I've never added one before, I was thinking of 5amp fuse wire but I can't figure out how to attach it.
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TopGun · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 21:20 pm Post subject:

MacTeagle · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 21:43 pm Post subject:

I have given the spitfire a dark wash to bring out the panel detail, and added an aerial wire. I think I'm finished

(although I think I should give the whole thing a coat of mattcote tomorrow).

I'll take photos for the gallery tomorrow when I can do it outside but here's some for now.

These are taken with the canopy closed.

But I think I prefer it with the canopy and cockpit door open since you get a better view of the pilot and cockpit detail

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ColinM · Posted: Sun 15 Mar 2009 21:54 pm Post subject:

First class, well done!

Colin
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TopGun · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 00:29 am Post subject:

Awesome
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TimJ · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 16:43 pm Post subject:

Great job!

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feanor · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 16:45 pm Post subject:

Ayup MacTeagle !

Brilliant ! Well done mate.
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

MacTeagle · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 18:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, I've really enjoyed this group build, I doubt if I could have finished my spitfire to anywhere near this standard were it not for everyone's helpfulness and support.
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