Airfix 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk1

[flyjoe180]

My second restoration is complete. It is satisfying doing some justice to old kits which were otherwise in a tatty state.

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This was the Hasegawa Spitfire Mk1 which came with two options: an early 1939 prewar two bladed prop version of 19 Squadron based at Duxford, or the three bladed Battle of Britain scheme version of 54 SQN based at Hornchurch (Al Deere's aircraft). I have an unmade version of this kit, and as I want to build the new one in Al Deere's BOB scheme, so the refurbished model had its three bladed propeller removed and replaced with the two-bladed fixed version. The canopy was also replaced with the flat top version to reflect the earlier Spitfire.

The proven oven cleaner method was used to strip the paint and some glue.

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The pilot was repainted in prewar white RAF overalls.

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Construction was as simple as following the sheet for the spare kit. As usual a new aerial mast had to be constructed. The aerial monster must have a big stash by now. Here is the finished product. The white/black undersides were horrible to paint, but once through that the rebuild was much more pleasurable.

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[flyjoe180]

I know the title should read Hasegawa, not Airfix and I don't know how to change it. Sorry!

 

[TonyBv9]

Nice job Joe. The thought of that black/white underside fills me with dread. Well done. Nice to see a kit with a pilot, too.

Tony

 

[papa 695]

A very nice fix up there Joe

 

[colin m]

Model aircraft retoration - This could be a new off shoot to the hobby !!

 

[flyjoe180]

Model aircraft retoration - This could be a new off shoot to the hobby !!

Well, given that the average cost of a 1:72 fighter kit here in NZ is probably about $15 a shot, that's $30 I have saved by restoring derelict models. It is rather satisfying too. The only issue is you may have to scrounge for decals, or pay for a new sheet which can come to the same cost as a kit.