Testing Times...

[grayman]

The end of World War Two saw many nations start taking the first tentative steps towards jet-powered fighters.

For some air force leaders, these strange engines with their odd sounds, smells (kero) and operating limits were hard to come to grips with - for these leaders the day of the piston engine was not yet over.

The end of the war saw the RAAF heading down two paths - the jet age with the Meteor and Vampire, but hedging its bets with piston engined types such as the Mustang and CA-15.

Little known is the very short and very secret 4-way competitive evaluation between the CA-15, Mustang, Martin-Baker MB-5 and Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk 22.

An example of each type was brought to Avalon (Victoria) in late 1946 for the deathmatch evaluation. In the end we know the Mustang won, but was it the best of the breed?

Here is my attempt at the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire. I have a P-51, vacform MB.5 and resin CA-15 in the stash to complete the gathering sometime in the future.

Picture 1 of 4...

[grayman]

To be honest, this kit almost sent flying into a wall. I know it gets a lot of kudos as one of Airfix's best kits, but maybe I got a Friday afternoon molding. More likely my modelling skills are cr#p (for example, how I picked up a can of gloss white instead of primer...there I was wondering why the coverage was so poor before realising my mistake   )

Paint is tamiya: gloss black acrylic pre-shading and spray-can aluminium over the top with British racing green fore the glare panel.

Image 2/4:

[grayman]

Wanting to get this one off the bench, I really could not be bothered with the canopy, and it shows. Maybe I need to take up Zen meditation to be more patient...

Incidentally, I think the sliding canopy was a very poor fit - it seems to sit too high - I did not try forcing it for fear of cracking it.

Image 3/4:

[nev]

Now that is a thing of beauty that pushes more than one of my buttons at the same time!!    

[grayman]

The decals came from a 1/48 Mustang set. As a test plane I suspect it should have the yellow "P".

For touch-ups the Humbrol metalised aluminum is a very good match for the Tamiya aluminum spray paint.

The serial sits within the RAAF Spitfire series, in a break in the range between LF.MkVIII and HF.MkVIII Spitfires delivered to the RAAF (awfully handy those people who run the ADF Serials site   )

Image 4/4:


As always, comments, criticisms and suggestions happily received.

Best wishes to all.

[Maverick]

Sexy Spit Grayman,

Just love the finish.  If I had a suggestion, it would be to extend the anti-glare panel over the cylinder head bulges, but beyond that, it is a thing of beauty.

Regards,

Mav

[grayman]

If I had a suggestion, it would be to extend the anti-glare panel over the cylinder head bulges, but beyond that, it is a thing of beauty.

Thanks Mav.

I was in two minds about the glare panel. In retrospect I think topping the bulges would have been the way to go - from memory I recall service RAAF Spitfires (bare metal) having glare panels extending further down the fuselage.

Cheers.

[Brian da Basher]

Wow I like it I like it! I'm very fond of the subtle different shades in the NMF, grayman and I like your choice for the color of the anti-glare panel. The canopy looks fine to me. If that's your idea of rushing it then you are talented indeed! Excellent work!

Brian da Basher

[ysi_maniac]

This is a TOP NOTCH model really
       
     

[Captain Canada]

Beauty ! A beautifully done model of a beautiful aeroplane ! Love the colour on the spinner....really sets off the entire bird.

My suggestion would be to hurry up and finish the other three.

 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Beautiful model - look forward to seeing the other three!
 

[SPINNERS]

Nice Spit grayman and I'm looking forward to the competitors!

Regarding the F22 it's a kit that I have stashed away and might whif mine (I can picture it ranged against Luftwaffe 46 stuff).

[Rafael]

I have always loved bubble canopied spits. And yours does justice to the type.

Great model!!!

Rafa

[McGreig]

I'm very fond of the subtle different shades in the NMF, grayman and - - - if that's your idea of rushing it then you are talented indeed! Excellent work!

Couldn't put it better. Beautiful model!    

[Sisko]

Nice stuff!!!

The sign of a good modeller is one that can make mistakes in a build but still come out the other side with a great model.  

The spit doesn't really do it for me as a modeller but seeing yours might just change my mind.