Supermarine Spitfire IXc

by Roger Fabrocini
 

Hasegawa's 1/48 scale Spitfire IX is available online from Squadron.com

This is Hasegawa's 1/48 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXc (kit JT-79) built as LF.IX NH342 SZ-G of OC #131 (Polish) wing, G/Cpt. A.K. Gabszewicz, summer/autumn 1944.

Thanks goes to Mirage Hobby's book "Spitfire IX & XVI of Polish Airmen" by Wojtek Matusiak. Not only is this an excellent reference source, but also a great source of inspiration.

The book is highly recommended to all modelers interested in Spitfires.

After Market

The following after market parts were used, whole or in part:

• Aries resin cockpit #4129

• Techmod decals #48034

• Czech Master exterior set #cmk4103

• Ultracast: covered wheels #48067

• Ultracast: 1-pc. lower cowling #48094

• Eduard photo etch set #49203

• Moskit exhaust

The Kit

The Aries cockpit is beautiful, but the fit is poor. Next time I will try the Czech Master set.

Floquil's British interior green was used over Gunze Mr. Resin Primer. Vallejo acrylics were used for detail.

No problems (other then the fit of the cockpit) were experienced with construction and all after market parts fit well. I was most pleased with Czech Master's fuselage extension, giving the Spit a more balanced look.

Paint

Mr. Surfacer 1000 was used as a primer.

The color coat is tamiya acrylics, mixed per published ratios, thinned with Tamiya thinner. XF-19 & XF-54 for Sea Gray Medium, XF-18/XF-21/XF-24 used for Ocean Gray, and XF-58/XF-65 used for the British Dark Green.

The airframe was pre shaded with a Tamiya dark gray. My method of paint application is to start with a mix of the original colors with approximately 65-75% thinner tracing over all panel lines and corners, over spraying into the panels. then a successive application of lightened and thinned color, slowly working into the middle of each panel.

The subsequent camouflage colors are applied in the same fashion, just starting at the color demarcation line, then filling in the appropriate areas.

Future was used as a gloss coat. Pactra acrylic flat is used as a final coat.

Decals

Decals are from the above mentioned Techmod sheet. the sheet depicts G/Cpt. A. GAbszewicz's Mk.IX #NH214, but I chose to model his previous mount, #NH342.

I wanted the challenge of replicating the hand painted invasion stripes depicted in the Mirage Hobby book. Codes, personal markings, national and squadron insignias seemed to be identical only placement differed. aircraft serial were taken from a tally-ho sheet of codes and serial numbers.

Weathering was done with artist oils, a mix of black and raw umber and turpentine, and Prismacolor silver pencil.

The invasion stripes were added last after everything was done, using vallejo acrylics, white, off white and gray black, dry brushed on using masking tape masks.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge HyperScale and all those visitors who submit articles and posts on the forum for all the tips, info, help and inspiration. Most of all thanks to you Brett.
 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2003 by Roger Fabrocini
Page Created 09 June, 2003
Last Updated 17 March, 2004

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