Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire Mk.IXc by Bill Gilman

Tamiya 1/32 scale
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc

by Bill Gilman

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc

Airfix's 1/48 scale Hurricane Mk.I is available online from Squadron

Description

I know what you're thinking - another Spitfire, but this one has a nice story behind it.

During my chemotherapy back in 2015, a very fine gentleman from Australia sent me the fantastic 1:32 scale kit from Tamiya of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc. His generosity was unbelievable, as I've never met him! At the same time it was a beautiful gesture to someone going through a very difficult time. I will forever be grateful to him.

I started the kit when my primary and maintenance chemo was over, and it took me a long time to finish her. But here she is at last. I am still amazed that someone would send such an expensive gift to someone he'd never met. But modellers really are a good bunch at heart, despite all our quibbling over how many rivets are on a Bf 109.

Although the Tamiya kit is amazing right out of the box, I never miss an opportunity to spend some of my children's inheritance on aftermarket goodies. As it just so happened, I had placed an order with Barracuda for some resin parts for a different project, and in return I was awarded a gift certificate because I was the millionth customer (or something like that). I immediately picked up all of the beautiful resin that Barracuda had on offer for this kit, and my kid's inheritance was safe.

I made a few improvements and corrections, but spent most of my time adding extra details.

Detailed the cockpit with Barracuda resin bits, Eduard photoetch, Yahu panel, and added hydraulic and pneumatic lines
Drilled out lightening holes in bulkheads and seat frame
Added canopy lock mechanism
Detailed the engine with ignition harnesses, oil lines, coolant lines, hydraulic lines, and Quickboost exhausts
Added chafing strips to cowling framework with Eduard PE
Added turned brass cannons from Master
Added scratchbuilt breather tube to the oil tank below the engine
Added scratchbuilt wing gun heater duct-work to rear of radiators
Added "cheese cutter" IFF antennae from 0.008" Nitinol wire

And probably something else that I forgot - but hey, I'm old! The model was finished with Colourcoats enamels, and the markings are from EagleCals for BS152 AE-W, 402 Squadron RCAF, flown by Lorne Cameron, DFC early 1943. It's a beautiful kit, and it sure stands out in my display case full of 1:72 aircraft.

Thumbnail panels:

The model won the Best Aircraft and Best in Show awards at the 2019 ROCON contest hosted by the ROC City Scale Modelers in Rochester, NY. I guess now she needs a stablemate - and that Tamiya 1:32 Corsair keeps calling!

Bill Gilman

Back to HyperScale Main Page