Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I: Belgian Military Aviation

[Spey_Phantom]

ok, ive decided to enter this GB with a little overdue project.

in 1939, Belgium needed a modern fighter to counter the German Bf109 and Britain was willing to sell the Spitfire to Belgium, also in the running were the Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 and the Renard R.36/38.
originaly the Renard was selected, but the order was cancelled due to delays, the German invasion of May 10 1940 pretty much cancelled the project. since it was to late to order the spitfire, Belgium ended ordering the Hurricane Mk.I in late 1939, with 21 aircraft ordered and a licence to built 80 more by Fairey Gosselies. but when the war started, only 16 aircraft were operational.

but what if Belgium actually ordered the Spitfire in the first place?

im gonna be building a Spitfire Mk.1 in Belgian Military Aviation markings, this will be an early version, with the 2-bladed fixed pitch propellor.
the kit i will be using is the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk.1 (Early), in combination with the Belgian decals from an Airfix 1/72 Hurricane Mk.I.

i expect to start building next week, when the mancave is expected to be finished 

[Dizzyfugu]

Way cool. Belgium is a neat topic with much potential. 

[Captain Canada]

Great idea !

[NARSES2]

Will look good Nils. Glad you are going with the early version

[dogsbody]

Belgian Spitfire armed with 4 X FN 12.7mm mg's.


Chris

[PR19_Kit]

I like the sound of this project Nils, and it's very logical too. 

[Spey_Phantom]

Update:

Work on the spitfire has finaly started 
today, i started on the sub assemblies, built and painted the cockpit (first coat) and the prop.

[Captain Canada]

Nice work Nils ! I should have glues my prop together before painting as well. Also nice to see the kit is about the same price there as it is here  Lots of lovely bits in there for that price eh ?

[NARSES2]

Looking forward to this. Belgian roundels go very well with most schemes but particularly with the brown/green 

[KiwiZac]

Great idea Nils, I'm excited to follow along.

[Spey_Phantom]

made some progress on the Spitfire today 

the cockpit is done...



aswell as the inside of the fuselage.....



and the wings are being assembled 



as the paint was drying quickly, ive fitted the cockpit in the fuselage.
progress should go pretty fast now 

[Dizzyfugu]

Ah, support for my Wildcat! 

[Spey_Phantom]

Assembly is done, next thing to do is get her painted.
did a dryfit of the canopy and prop, looks good 

the canopy hardly needs to be glued on, it just snaps on nicely 

[Spey_Phantom]

First layers of paint are on 

[Captain Canada]

Looking good !