Joe G Model Hobby: Testors 48th Scale Spitfire Mk II

I did this to try and get a model done in a relatively short period of time. I seem to be putting a lot of effort into most kits, trying for perfection. Problem is I only go at it these days in spurts, and the level of effort I put in takes a long time to produce anything.

So I picked up the Testors Spitfire off the shelf for a quick and dirty build just for enjoyment. To say the Testors model has been superseded by just about every other kit is being generous, but I went into this with no expectation, except I didn't care how well it came out, this was just for the joy of building.

So it was on the shelf for almost a year, it was primed for at least six months. I had found another kit I wanted for the stash when I visited the Aviation Museum in Ottawa with my son in February. The Gloster Meteor (mmmm Gloster meteorrrrr). I started it when I got back from the trip and it progressed.. slowly, but I was excited about RAF camo. So having the Spitfire already primed, I put the Meteor aside and started the paint job on the Spitfire.

It was a Sunday, great, lots of time. Go to the paint shelf.. no Brown (:. Long story short - I found a link that someone had used Tamiya Red and Green (XF7 and XF 5) to create Dark Earth. Voila, I had some.
4 Parts Red, 2 Parts Green, 1 Part Yellow and a touch of white - and you have RAF Dark Earth.

This was really fun, painting, putting on the last few details, and my ultimate favorite part - the decals.

I wasn't expecting much of this kit, but I must say it didn't turn out too bad. The fit wasn't great, the seams didn't come out too smooth, there were raised panel lines. The canopy was too thick, it didn't fit right (so I had to patch gaps with white glue). But again, I like it. It was good practice for painting and finishing the Meteor, when I get around to it.

This model is best viewed from 6 feet away :)

The undercart was crap so I did a wheels up job on it, and it hangs above my workbench.