For my first
submission for ARC, this is a Spitfire Mk.XVI model. I used the Heller kit which
I tried to improve. I add few accessories : resin item from Hi-Tech, photoetched
set from Eduard, undercarriage legs from Aeroclub and some scratch. The decals
are from a SP-Decals sheet.
It was a hard
project to do (due to my modest skills), started in 2003 or 2004 and only
finished in the beginning of 2008.
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images below to see larger images
About the building,
it's my first major attempt for to improve a kit :
-
I rescribed the
panel lines,
-
from the Hi-Tech
resin transkit, I used the floor, sides walls, back wall, tail's mobile
surfaces and wheels,
-
from the Eduard
PE set (a zoom set initially dedicated to the Tamiya Spitfire V), I used the
instrument panel, the seat with the belts and the armor plate, and few
little things,
-
while finishing
the model, I lost one undercarriage leg, I had to find in emergency a
replacement from Aeroclub Models,
-
Some scratch was
also necessary to complete the cockpit detailing and to create a
pitot tube and the windshield mirror, the antenna is from stretched sprue.
For the colors, the
only option provided by Heller now is for a 349th Sqn. aircraft painted in Dark
Green, Dark Grey and Medium Sea Gray (the bare-metal option has disappeared).
Not satisfied with it (the letters are too green), I took me some time to find a
replacement and I discovered the SP-Decals sheet dedicated to Free Polish Spitfire XVI.
The model was painted by brush with Humbrol Enamels. The option chosen depicts
the aircraft flown by few famous polish pilots : B. Kaczmarek, A. Gabszewicz,
S.Wintorzenc...
I hope you liked it.
Happy modelling.
Jean-Paul
Wrona
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images below to see larger images
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