Spitfire Mk I WIP

Jay Dubya
Your fine details in the cockpit are an absolute feast for the eyes Jim and really well presented. Please don't close it up!

Andy Ball
It just shows the extra level of impact on detail that 48 makes! I've got the Tamiya Vb in the stash, and hope it'll come together as well. Is yours OotB?

Spanjaard
beautiful cockpit indeed

Stephan Ryll
Very nice pit 👍

Gordon Sørensen
Great looking cockpit, Jim! Looking forward to seeing the end result.

Jim J
Thanks mates!

Slavo Hazucha
Very nice work on the cockpit! Particularly like the instrument panel, shows that good craftsmanship and the right blend of techniques still can beat PE on a good day 👍 🙂

Jim J
Thanks Slavo! I've gotten lazy with the PE instrument panels on my other builds. This one was a refreshing change even though it took a little longer.

Jim J
Andy - yes, OotB. I'm really enjoying this Spitfire Mk I kit. No drama and really well engineered. The fit is perfect and the entire kit is really well thought out.

Spanjaard
Mine is in the mail now.....

Sven Schönyan
Which kind of decal softener did you use? My Spit is on hold as I got trouble with the Tamiya Panzerplatten.

Jim J
The Tamiya decals were awful. Too thick and each color of the decal was a different thickness — clearly visible even with the gloss coat after decals. Not happy at all. I used Microset and MicroSol then Solvaset. Several applications. In the end there still were several blemishes and ugly areas. I hope weathering and flat coat will make the decal issues less noticeable. I don't think I'll use Tamiya kit decals again.

Jim J
It's also true that I can improve my decal technique, but I thought the Tamiya decals were much less forgiving and poorer looking than others (Eduard, Cartograf, Revelle, etc.). I've never tried marking masks or aftermarket decals but will look into them.

Andy Ball
Great tip re. Tamiya decals, but I am surprised they've let themselves down there. Love your progress photos. I'm not a 48'r, but will give the Vb a go soon.....

Sven Schönyan
Thanks for the explanation Jim! My plan was to get the Tamiya decals off and place others instead. I got a set of aftermarket decals from Xtradecal which look very good and very thin. Unfortunately, I cannot remove the Tamiya decal completely so I got a destroyed roundel on the wing. If I can get some mechanics I will do a little scene when they are working on the wing with a blanket put over it as protection to hide the roundel.