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Vendors Corner => CFC Graphics => Topic started by: kevin king on April 01, 2018, 06:09:38 AM

Title: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 01, 2018, 06:09:38 AM
After a 12 year absence from the hobby, time to dust off my scratch built Adamusko/Urtnowski Spitfire. I got the canopy on last night, now I just need to blend it in. What makes it difficult for me is getting a smooth blend from the wood to the canopy because you have to guess the thickness the silkspan and paint will add to the surrounding area of the canopy and hope they come in at the same height. HB~>
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: MikeCoulombe on April 01, 2018, 10:24:20 AM
Right on Buddy, welcome back.
 #^
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 01, 2018, 11:40:24 AM
Thanks mike. H^^ Charles should like that Skylark, its 2k clear coat, sprayed waaay back in the 1990's. Z@@ZZZ Lol. *Update* here's a picture taken of me 28 years later. Same place, new plane.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 01, 2018, 12:39:58 PM
Everything is in silver except the fuse, rudder, cowl and air scoop. I still have to silkspan them. The entire plane will be in sprayed with Sig Silver to highlight every defect on the model, making it easier spot, sand and fill. After the silver is perfect, I will start laying down the invasion stripes.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on April 01, 2018, 03:19:50 PM
Kevin,

Welcome.

All the building I see looks excellent, especially the cowling detail.  H^^

Looks like you have excellent building skills, I'm glad you're posting your work.

And a Spitfire to boot!!

Are your lead outs solid wire? Gear legs look really interesting.

Charles



Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 02, 2018, 07:10:16 PM
This Spitfire has solid lead outs.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 02, 2018, 07:36:07 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on April 02, 2018, 08:00:02 PM
.

Kevin,

Thanks for that generous PDF file.  H^^

Ya gotta love the Spitfire wing.

That Spitfire wing build must have been a challenge?

I'm looking forward to more photos.

What a guy!

CB
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 03, 2018, 05:56:46 AM
Sorry the plan wasn't better. The wing actually was not that difficult. The tips were intimidating but nothing compared too that Hi Johnson Stuka wing. I built the  Spitfire wing over a dead flat table using (2) 3/8" steel rods with supports at the center and tips. Its straight as an arrow. All 4-6lbs contest balsa from Riley Wooten's Lone Star Balsa. it has a molded leading edge, 4 inch bellcrank, adjustable leadout guide and wing tip weight box. The 1/8 landing gear arm goes right to the top of the huge fat wing for strength and the wing is covered with medium silkspan, Old School. I did get the canopy blended in some more, because I made a mess of the first one.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 07, 2018, 07:09:10 AM
Finally! Got some work done on the Spit. Saturday morning, Got up at 5am, wife still sleeping. Between work and wasting time on the internet nothing gets done! Did some more sanding around the fuse where it meets the canopy. I had a different thinner canopy fitted originally, so that, combined with fitting a different one took some time. Thanks to Charles for his help and to Lee for loaning me some Spitfire videos!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 07, 2018, 10:35:14 PM
Ready for Dope. Got the canopy blending done; Sanded down the fiber glassed nose; Block sanded the entire fuse with 320; Sanded and cleaned up where the wing fillet will be; Fitted the Ro Jett 65; Opened up a hole where the needle valve exists the fuse.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 07, 2018, 10:39:18 PM
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Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on April 14, 2018, 08:07:07 PM
I got some more work done on the Spitfire. I moved the air scoop forward to get the exhaust outlet further away from the fuselage. I also opened up the hole on the scoop to help get rid of the heat from the header. The only reason I originally went with a rear exhaust thinking it would help minimize the exhaust residue on the finish, but I don't know if it will help much. I would have installed my brand new Big Jim ST 60, but the mounting holes are different and its its a little heavier. I got the first coat of 35/65 Sig Lite Coat on the fuse, cowl and rudder, thinned with Canadian Tire Lacquer thinner, its made by Recochem.                                                                       


Kevin
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 13, 2018, 12:00:16 AM
Alright! got some more done on the Spit! Everything is now covered in medium silkspan I got from Sig Manufacturing! The cowl I managed to skip the filler coat and its now in silver. The fuse had the first 3 coats of Lite Coat thinned 30/70 and brushed on, sanding with 320 after the 2nd coat. after the silkspan was applied, I brushed on 4 coats of 35/65 Lite Coat sanding with 320 after the 2nd and will sand the 4th coat with 320 to. I am hoping to skip the filler coats but I don't know, the wood has some pretty deep grain. What else? I want to install a camera mount in the wing after seeing how cool it was from using one on my wife's P40 Warhawk. That means I would have to cut the silkspan off 1 open bay, no big deal, but I am also considering to replace all the silkspan (On the open bays only) with Polyspan to but it would add a lot of weight...I have to think about this one...For any that want to see the P40 please check out my youtube channel. Its "Control Line Precision Aerobatics".
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 13, 2018, 12:05:31 AM
My you tube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqL0OroZNHY&t=159s
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 14, 2018, 05:06:07 PM
Ok, I decided I liked the video camera on the P40 Warhawk so much that I cut the Spitfire wing open to install another. All it takes is some plywood and a 440 blind mounting nut. These video cameras are the lightest at 17 grams and have the best video quality. You can get these camera at this link. Don't buy from anyone else because there are ALOT of fakes out there! https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mini-DVR-808-16-V3-Lens-D-Car-Key-Chain-Micro-Camera-HD-720P-Pocket-Camcorder/180937263580?hash=item2a20b389dc:g:aaoAAOxycmBS01Wl
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Shug Emery on May 14, 2018, 05:13:47 PM
I have a Mobius camera I just stick on and use a rubber band to help secure....fun footage.
Shug

https://youtu.be/ZHrXHZm4LjM (https://youtu.be/ZHrXHZm4LjM)
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 14, 2018, 10:22:28 PM
Alright, camera mount is pretty much done. I took 2 pieces of 1/16" plywood and epoxied them together with the grain going in the opposite direction, and sanded a very slight curve on the side that will be glued against the inside leading edge sheeting. The rear part of the mount will be against the 1/4" wing spar, the left side of the mount will be up against the plywood landing gear doubler. The rest I sanded and tapered down to a curve to avoid any stress risers. The glass cloth I will lay down first to strengthen up the wing sheeting. Patched up hole with medium silkspan; Using Sig Supercoat high shrink clear to tighten up the silkspan.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Shug Emery on May 15, 2018, 05:38:56 AM
Ha ha @ Vomit cam Shug. I subscribed to your channel and have watched lots of your videos. I gave this one a thumbs up. As for camera mounts, its been my experience that a solidly mounted camera gives a lot better picture, plus the reassurance of it not flying off and hitting someone, or even worse not being able to find where it landed ;D
Not had one fly off ....yet!
I like to get several options of mounting for different angles.
Fun to watch and see the surrounding area from planes POV.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 15, 2018, 07:57:02 AM
Ok! I got the day off work so I can get back to what's really important, Spitfires! #^. Instead of having the camera mount sitting on the surface of the wing like on the P40, I decided to recess it, that way it will never damage the paint. I will make a 'Gas cap' out of 1/16" plywood and balsa to use when the camera is not installed! ;D Got 2 more coats of Supercoat on the patch, It looks ugly but soon you will never know it was patched! ;D I also had a DENT on the silkspan over an open bay so I brushed on some Supercoat to see if it would disappear, we will see...
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 15, 2018, 08:40:29 AM
Pictured: Dent in the silkspan.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 15, 2018, 08:44:46 AM
Pictured: Supercoating the silkspan. Tight as a drum. Your wife's iron and hair dryer not required.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 20, 2018, 05:56:07 AM
Happy Sunday everyone! Ok, Spitfire open wing surgery is now done, and everything is back in silver. That dent I just put a small patch of silkspan over; The gas cap/ camera mount cover is done, so the camera will sit lower in the wing, giving it a cooler more aerodynamically correct look, and wont mar the finish like it would if it was flush mounted. I also got the rudder in silver and I'm now working on sanding the clear on the Fuse to get it perfectly flat with an absolute minimum amount of paint.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2018, 07:48:37 AM
I got the clear on the fuse meticulously sanded down as flat as I could get it without going down to the silkspan, and where I did I just sealed it with one brush stroke of clear, mostly where the silkspan overlapped. I skipped the fillercoat and sprayed it with silver. I can now fill only where needed, instead of doing the entire fuse like I've always done in the past. I want to keep the weight to a minimum. I feel that I've accomplished that. I am also trying to keep the fillets to a minimum. In the olden days I remember putting 1/4 inch epoxolite fillets on my Argus ;D
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on June 02, 2018, 06:15:46 AM
Weee doggy, just got back from Toronto and the highlight of my trip was meeting two time world champion Arden Zhang and checking out his hobby shop. Theres a link in the description box, What a great guy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tflq_3ti_so&t=6s
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on June 02, 2018, 08:41:15 AM
Blending in the Landing Gear Doors: I also put 3 pieces of masking tape on the bottom of each door to raise them up higher than the surface of the wing before sanding them flush. After removing the tape from the bottom of the door they will sit be a bit lower, to allow for the thickness of the dope and silkspan.about silver and masking tape, I have found 99 % of the problems are not with the paint but with the painter. Tape pulling up silver = NOT ENOUGH THINNER.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 05, 2018, 06:37:53 PM
I sprayed clear on the canopy today. It was 37 percent humidity. Its like you have to paint in a desert to stop the moisture. Most of it did evaporate, but not all of it.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: TDM on July 24, 2018, 08:36:42 AM
I am voting first picture top right, the one with invasion stripes. 
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 24, 2018, 06:26:03 PM
I am voting first picture top right, the one with invasion stripes.
Thanks for the feedback TDM. I agree with you. I will try to upload a pic of the real invasion- striped spitfire I am trying to copy. The black wing walk on top of the invasion stripe sealed the deal. Google image search "mk 959" for better pics of this one! Also,  Do you or anyone else know what colors the camouflage is for Sig or Brodak dope? Thanks.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 24, 2018, 07:06:25 PM
This picture %^@
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 24, 2018, 08:18:14 PM
The models wing is a near perfect shape as the real one. This made copying the real Spitfires paint lines to the model real easy and accurate.  The fuse is a different story. I will have to finesse the graphics a lot...
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 24, 2018, 08:35:01 PM
Laying out the trim. I will go for the fat wing walk like the one pictured in front of the model instead of the more common thin one shown in many of the pictures
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: TDM on July 25, 2018, 06:14:40 AM
Because you are not exactly scale interpret in terms of what you have. I would think the stripes are about half the wing then look at your wing and make them about half the wing and so on. That will be an unbelievable cool model. Good luck.
What I would like to do is a Voodoo from Reno racing. I could use the same things I have now wings and tails and make a fuselage. Also I wanted to make a RC Citation with all the good stuff. I need to stop dreaming.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 10, 2018, 03:29:15 PM
Thanks TDM. You should build that P51 man! Reno Air racers are cool and I Love that Voodoo's paint job. I have a Tsunami Reno air racer in my stable ;D So... Yesterday I was outside on the balcony spraying on the Spit's fin flash, and I put a good dent in the wing. Got it fixed now. I also got the Brodak exhaust stacks on too. I got a good tip from Walter Hicks, glue thin plywood on the backs before you put them on the fuse. I will also drill a small hole in the bottom just incase the heat of the sun swells them up and they separate from the fuselage.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 10, 2018, 03:32:53 PM
Fixing another dent. 🙄
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 10, 2018, 03:36:42 PM
Dent fixed. Working on the fin flash! Finally going to see some color paint!  n~ ;D
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 10, 2018, 03:40:53 PM
Exhaust installed.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 11, 2018, 03:50:15 PM
Sig White and Brodak Insignia Blue & Red
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: scott v. on August 19, 2018, 11:12:54 AM
Just saw this and I would go with the moose!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 19, 2018, 02:53:36 PM
Thanks for the feedback Scott. I will put that moose on the one side and the Spitfire pilot on the other. 😁 I really like the foam coming out of that moose's mouth ;D
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 19, 2018, 04:59:48 PM
This is my 1st attempt spraying invasion stripes. I went to the dollar store and bought a roll of transparent vinyl used for protecting book covers for 2 dollars, then cut it the width of my invasion stripe panel for the wing and marked it with a 90 degree line where the hinge line will be. It sure conforms to the wing better than construction paper. So measuring from the flap fairing out, I marked the trailing edge where I wanted my invasion stripes to begin on both wings, then tacked the vinyl down with tape. Using the hinge line and 90 degree line I drew on the vinyl as a reference, I then masked off the 2 edges using the vinyl as a guide. I also used 4 paper shims to keep the flaps centered. After masking I cut the tape over the hinge line, pulled off the flaps and masked everything off for paint.  I added plasticizer and fish eye killer to white Sig Dope thinned 35/65 with lacquer thinner. Sprayed more on the top surfaces than the bottoms, except for the flaps because I failed to mark them.  n1 More white on the center and 2 outer edges where they wont be sprayed black. I will let it dry over night and apply a third coat to the top if necessary.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 20, 2018, 11:04:59 AM
Invasion stripe panel
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 21, 2018, 06:45:15 AM
Big phat invasion stripes with a black stripe for the wing walk. I love it.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: TDM on August 22, 2018, 06:09:18 AM
I started to wonder what happened with you. great to see you are back at it.
Kevin the substrate looks great but can I ask a stupid question. Why didn't you paint the white for stripes on the fuselage too? Kind of make sense if you spray white you might just spray white everywhere it applies.  ???
Put the moose with the rider on the nose as a kind of nose art. Scale and print on decal paper transfer to the nose clear on top. You can also make a Iron Maiden lettering decal and stick it under the moose. That would make a cool nose art.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 22, 2018, 05:49:20 PM
Hi TDM. I will have invasion stripes on the fuse to but I haven't decided how I want them layed out. The scale Spitfire has the stripes starting just behind the cockpit, but that would bring the invasion stripes on the model to far forward past the flaps.  I will cross that bridge when I get to it . Just focusing on getting the invasion stripes on the wing for now.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 24, 2018, 02:05:55 PM
2 pieces of black construction paper to help lay down the tape lines. I will reduced their width .5  to 1.0mm to replicate the slightly narrower black stripes compared to the white ones, just like the real spitfire. (Thanks Charles).
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 25, 2018, 04:19:45 AM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 28, 2018, 08:59:59 AM
Soon there will be two warbirds.😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Air Ministry . on September 01, 2018, 08:16:17 PM
ACTUALLY ,
curtosey of the R.a.F. Museum ,

" What were the dimensions of the invasion stripes carried by RAF aircraft on D-Day?
Black and white stripes were painted prominently on many British and American aircraft just before D-Day (6 June 1944) to make them easier to recognise as "friendly". These stripes (three white and two black) were 18 inches (457 mm) wide and were painted chordwise on the upper and lower surfaces of both wings and around the fuselage. The outer edge of the mainplane bands was 6 inches (152 mm) inboard of the RAF roundel and the rear edge of the fuselage bands was 18 inches (457 mm) forward of the tailplane. "

Earlier Hawker Typhoon /mpest had 12 & 18 In Stripes . After White Noses & yellow overwing stripes . Were ' Hawker Typhoon / Tempest ONLY .

(http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/images12/74.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Hawker_Tempest_Mk_V.jpg)

LATER came the Full Invasion Stripes . ALL 18 Inch . unless for a twin or four engined aircraft .

Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Air Ministry . on September 01, 2018, 08:19:57 PM
Sometimes they ran out of masking tape .  S?P

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/91/50/d2/9150d2683c255c0ecd1612fbe8c5b1b5.jpg)

ALL Spitfire Stripes Are 18 inch . Start within a gnats dick of 1/2 O/A Span . Except for when the wing tips have fallen off .

(https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-dc0c98ffd5dc5ce341a5d21d2612be6c)

And sometimes they didnt have a tappe measure / ruler .  :-\

(http://hyperscale.com/2007/features/images/spitfirehfvii72bg_18.jpg)
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 08:00:59 AM
Matt, you're hilarious AND you're an encyclopedia of Spitfire knowledge.😁 "No ruler or tape measure" 😆. I Enjoy reading your posts.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 09:41:12 AM
Working on the roundels this weekend. I've never taken so many measurements in my life.  Millimeters matter🧐. I marked off the centers of the wing's top and bottom roundels. Starting on the bottom I layed the mask and stuck a piece of scrap paper under the edge to help remove it later.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 09:48:54 AM
Sprayed one light coat of Sig White dope thinned 65 % with lacquer thinner. The bottom roundels will only have one thin narrow white band.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 11:15:38 AM
Top roundel. Huge!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 11:20:34 AM
Sprayed on 3 coats of white dope...This was a mistake...tell you why in a minute.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 11:25:30 AM
...then after the white dried, I sprayed on 3 coats of Brodak Insignia Blue.  That was fine, but I didn't feather it in toward the center, and this was to cause problems as you will soon see.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 02, 2018, 11:31:21 AM
Bottom roundels, 3 coats of Insignia blue.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 07:00:15 AM
Problem # 1. After  removing the center
Mask of the top roundels , I had a ridge of paint build up which I had to sand and blend in. Of course it's on the top of the wing, on an open bay, and right on top of a rib. And that's medium silkspan I used for covering to😫. So I had to sand the ridge off. That was fun. I got it as smooth as possible without cutting into the silkspan, then built up the area with silver, sanded it smooth again, and repeated that... like 3 times. That really sucked. My mistake was forgetting to fade the paint as I came to the center. 😫🤬🤭
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 07:55:36 AM
You can still see the halo effect after the red was sprayed. It looked a bit better after it dried though.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 08:10:52 AM
Mistake #2. Too much paint build up. I should not have put THREE coats of white underneath the blue. One coat would have been good. Once the paint film is too thick,  it will separate from the mask leaving those ratty edges instead of coming off cleanly like a thinner film of paint would do. Shame on me.😞 Even that I know better but I still did it.🤯 I will post my mistakes to help others. Time to dig out the airbrush and do some touch ups. Yup. Control line stunt...10 % fun and 90 % something else.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 08:22:27 AM
Thankfully both the bottoms turned out nice. Go figure 🤨.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 02:10:47 PM
How can you fight in the air, defend our Island, whatever the cost may be if you're roundels don't have perfect edges?? That's crazy! Good thing I scored this mint condition airbrush on Kijiji for 50 bucks.😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 02:11:36 PM
   S?P
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 03, 2018, 02:12:44 PM
⬇️
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 05, 2018, 09:06:50 AM
I found a video of my wing on you tube. I forgot I uploaded it. https://youtu.be/ea2smYLQrOM 😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 05, 2018, 07:16:05 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 07, 2018, 05:55:26 AM
After seeing Keith's shark mouth post I decided to throw my hat in the ring. This will be my first time spraying one and I didn't want the typical P40 mouth. There is the Grey Nurse one which is nice but I wanted something different.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 07, 2018, 05:58:35 AM
It's ok dude, I got this!! - Is my board ok? -Optimist.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 07, 2018, 06:45:44 AM
Something like this. The raised upper lip gives it a snarl look😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 07, 2018, 09:01:59 AM
Similar to this one. Almost impossible to copy it  because of the camera angle. I have only found 1 photo of it. Truly this is the meanest looking shark mouth I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on September 07, 2018, 09:35:07 AM
Kevin,

You're correct. Camera angles create a thing called "foreshortening."

Has to do with perspective and the angle of vision.

There was, years ago, a whole article about tracing the fuselage side of an aircraft and how to deal with this.

Obviously if a 3-view wasn't available or plans.

With CAD programs like mine, I could do a draw then actually grab the end of the graphic and "pull" or stretch it until it looks correct or just better.

No matter what mouth you draw, you will still need a mask for each color or, a simple way, would be to use brushes and paint the thing on white vinyl, then apply the vinyl.

Hand painting the thing on the model could be cumbersome whereas the vinyl would be flat and easer to rotate if necessary.

Easiest way is to make the thing using colored vinyl.

You have a really nice model happening. Kudos!

Charles

Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 07, 2018, 07:27:01 PM
Thanks for the tips Charles. 👍
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 08, 2018, 12:57:16 PM
I got the two yellow stripes on the leading edge. Always put white under yellow!! Ask me how I know.😁 Nice and bright...if there centered properly  I will be happy.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 08, 2018, 01:03:09 PM
 Control line tip of the week: ALWAYS fly near power lines. The closer the better. 💪
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 08, 2018, 01:48:49 PM
Heartbreaking Spitfire crash .https://youtu.be/cixKAJ4A0Ak Yikes.🤪
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 08, 2018, 03:50:17 PM
Woohoo! Yellow leading edges perfecto!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 08, 2018, 03:52:40 PM
⬇️👌😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 05:27:19 AM
Ok, back to the painting of a shark mouth. After I got the look I was after on paper, I adjusted the size using my printer and printed off 3 copies. One for each color. I then reversed the image on Windows Paint and printed off 3 copies for the other side. I then used those templates to mask the shape of the mouth with tape.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 05:42:56 AM
Ready for white.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 05:49:28 AM
Sprayed the white and left all the masking in place.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:04:31 AM
I then cut out the black area of the mouth on my paper template. Then brushed rubber cement on the white painted area of the mouth on the plane, then placed the teeth part of the mask on and rubbed off the rubber cement in the area to be sprayed black.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:14:06 AM
Spraying the black center area of the mouth using an airbrush.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:22:06 AM
Wife airbrushing shark mouth. 😁https://youtu.be/GQoQNhvrgaQ
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:29:40 AM
Masking removed. Now I have to give him eyes. Good lord what have I created, an abomination?
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:33:58 AM
Gone but not forgotten
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:37:26 AM
Masked off the eye and sprayed it white.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:41:56 AM
Masked off the white eye and sprayed the red.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:46:32 AM
I then a used a drafting pen to draw the black pupil... It's alive!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 06:50:25 AM
 Outlined the red part of eye with black ink.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 07:02:50 AM
To get the red part of the mouth on the plane, I taped a piece of frisket film on to a cutting mat. Then taped my shark mouth template on top of the frisket. Then, using a #11 blade I cut out the red part of the mouth. I then placed the mask on the  mouth on the plane, and spray the red.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 07:25:42 AM
What a mess. Just finished masking and spraying the black outline.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 08:02:11 AM
Guess that's it for the mouth. I still have some touch ups to make on it. Over all I think it captures the look I was after. I felt like a Dentist touching up all those teeth.😛
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: MikeCoulombe on September 29, 2018, 09:34:14 AM
"WOW" Just awesome Buddy.
Hey Email me your address and I'll send you the Chipmunk.
We'll figure out the mustang later.
Keep up the good work Man.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 03:53:27 PM
➡️Email sent Mike.☑️
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 29, 2018, 04:10:22 PM
Last picture of the Shark mouth. As the Good Lord once said ' It is finished.'
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 01, 2018, 05:56:36 PM
Whats next? fuselage invasion stripes, roundel and squadron markings, or maybe a gold leaf tooth with a diamond in it? 🤔
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 01, 2018, 07:55:26 PM
Thanks to ➡️motorman⬅️ my new Brian Eather 3 blade 12.5 x 5.25 carbon fibre Spitfire prop is balanced and pitched & to ➡️Walter Hicks⬅️ for suggesting this prop for the Spitfire's RO Jett 65 Re.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 03, 2018, 07:57:46 PM
Hard edge camo ❎     
Soft edge camo ☑️ Actually with the amount of trim this paint job has there won't be much room left for camo on it anyways.  It's overkill already.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 08, 2018, 08:48:08 PM
Invasion stripes are not easy. Here I used one of those blue postal elastic bands to help mask a straight line over a coned shape surface. When it looked right, I layed out the green 3M vinyl masking tape. I then repeated the process for the front. I cut a strip of black construction paper to the width of the invasion stripe panel, then checked it for any inconsistencies.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 08, 2018, 08:51:47 PM
Checking for equal distance all the way around.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 08, 2018, 08:55:21 PM
Hoorayyy! White sprayed. Now I will let this dry and spray the roundels next.   S?P
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 09, 2018, 06:42:55 AM
Unmasked everything this morning. I think it turned out ok. Anything that's off can be touched up with silver or white with an airbrush.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 09, 2018, 06:43:42 AM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 18, 2018, 05:15:14 PM
Working on the wing invasion stripes tonight. If there was a longer, harder more painful way I am sure I would find it. This is the hardest paint job I've ever done.

Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 19, 2018, 10:42:14 PM
Finally got the stripes masked & sprayed. I just had to build up enough anger and frustration to 'Just Do It'. I went back to the original way with the strips of construction paper. One cut 65.25mm wide for the white stripes, the other cut to 64.25 mm for the black stripes. After I unmask it tommorow, if it's not right, I will smash it to pieces.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 20, 2018, 06:06:42 AM
Guess I can work with this.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on October 20, 2018, 06:21:12 AM
Guess I can work with this.

Kevin,

Outstanding!

All the years I've been on the Forum, I can't remember anyone doing up a Warbird in all paint in a finishing Thread?

An accomplishment to say the least.

And I know this IS your work!

Double hats off for your remarkable efforts.  H^^ H^^

CB
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 20, 2018, 09:01:47 PM
Thanks for the kind words Avaiojet.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 21, 2018, 07:37:49 AM
 Invasion stripes are something everyone can enjoy!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 21, 2018, 07:12:44 PM
Beautiful MK 959 Spitfire. If I can get my Spitfire to look similar to this I will be happy.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 21, 2018, 07:18:11 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on October 23, 2018, 07:53:12 PM
Good news bad news guys. I bought a house and I will have the whole basement for my work shop, best of all it has a nice sized room that will make a great paint booth. Bad news is all my spray equipment, dope and spray guns are packed. I will be going through SWS (Spitfire Withdrawal Syndrome) It's been a blast and I will be back painting ASAP.                         
 Kevin.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: TDM on October 24, 2018, 06:17:35 AM
Oh no, not good to have that syndrome. It looks beautiful so far. Love the teeth.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: MikeCoulombe on October 24, 2018, 06:33:38 AM
Got the house congrats Buddy.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 07, 2019, 05:49:41 PM
Got the house congrats Buddy.
Thanks Mike. Next time you're in town be sure to stop by. Finally moved in may 10th and got around to completing the ventilation fan for my paint shop! I bought a sealed explosion proof motor 20 years ago for this purpose.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 08, 2019, 12:58:19 PM
It was alot of work, taking apart a commercial fan removing the motor, shoehorning in a bigger one, matching the blade size to the motor, building the frame and mounting the fan ect. But, it fits the window perfectly, is quick to set up and remove with the twist of one fastener. Alot of thought went into it. The room still needs to be emptied, that's the next step. Then hopefully I will get the Spitfire painted this winter. 
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 08, 2019, 01:20:27 PM
Steel brackets holds fan assembly solidly to the bottom of the hard wood frame, and one bolt at the top. The 2 pegs in the top corners will hold the air filter in place. I epoxied the plug to the frame so it wouldn't interfere with the filter doing its job, and made a crimp to prevent the cord from ever tangling in the fan blade.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on July 08, 2019, 02:52:39 PM
Steel brackets holds fan assembly solidly to the bottom of the hard wood frame, and one bolt at the top. The 2 pegs in the top corners will hold the air filter in place. I epoxied the plug to the frame so it wouldn't interfere with the filter doing its job, and made a crimp to prevent the cord from ever tangling in the fan blade.

I mention this from time to time.

Make a friend at your local auto body shop.

Paint your models there.

It can be done, and there's plenty of body shops.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 08, 2019, 06:13:45 PM
Thanks for the great tip Charles. I personally like the solitude of my own shop. Everything I need is already there. Packing everything up, unloading everything for 10 minutes of painting, then pack it up again, come home, then unload everything. Too much work. Might be a good option for others though. I paint everyday at work but would only bring a model in there as a last resort. Thanks for chiming in.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on July 08, 2019, 07:51:14 PM
Thanks for the great tip Charles. I personally like the solitude of my own shop. Everything I need is already there. Packing everything up, unloading everything for 10 minutes of painting, then pack it up again, come home, then unload everything. Too much work. Might be a good option for others though. I paint everyday at work but would only bring a model in there as a last resort. Thanks for chiming in.

You're model is great BTW.

There are no graphics there, it's all paint, correct?
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 08, 2019, 09:06:35 PM
Yup. All paint. And thanks. It means alot coming from an paint expert!


Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 04, 2020, 06:16:22 PM
Ok then. Back to the Spitfire! But first my condolences to the Brodak family. More on this later. Starting the roundel on the fuse sides...
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 05, 2020, 12:01:37 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 05, 2020, 12:13:04 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 05, 2020, 12:19:41 PM
Insignia red
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 05, 2020, 12:57:44 PM
Laying out the fuse invasion stripes. The "5KR" is for 2 of my favorite things, my wife Rosalie, and the Shelby GT500KR.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 05, 2020, 02:00:01 PM
Back masking the roundels .
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 05, 2020, 02:11:56 PM
Invasion stripes done. On with the lettering.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 06, 2020, 08:40:04 AM
Stencil, or mask cut, applied and sprayed.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 06, 2020, 08:41:15 AM
Touching up the white.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 06, 2020, 08:41:56 AM
Done
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 07, 2020, 01:26:55 AM
Painted on the red gun port covers.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 07, 2020, 01:55:47 AM
There is no off the shelf dope for Spitfires, so I had to make my own. Best place to get knowledge on paint colors is the plastic model guys. Found out the colors I needed were Medium Sea Grey for the bottom of the plane, Ocean Gray for the top and Dark Green for the camoflauge. I actually ordered small bottles of the paint and used it as my color sample. Going by a picture won't work. I found that out the hard way.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 07, 2020, 02:47:00 AM
Mk IX color samples ready to go.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 07, 2020, 11:21:58 AM
Honey I'm late for work so I'm taking the Spitfire!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 09, 2020, 08:06:34 AM
Plastic model airplane paint and swatches on the right, color matched Brodak Dope on the left.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 09, 2020, 08:27:10 AM
Masking the bottom wing tips for the Sea Gray paint.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 09, 2020, 09:03:14 PM
Sea Gray sprayed on bottom of both wing tips
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 09, 2020, 09:29:04 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 10, 2020, 07:59:58 AM
Masking to spray bottom of the stab Sea Gray.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 10, 2020, 08:01:23 AM
Sea Gray sprayed.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 10, 2020, 08:02:50 AM
Bottom of the fuse is next.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 12, 2020, 09:43:05 AM
Top of the Spitfire! Oh oh...play times over boys. Time to get real.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 12, 2020, 09:44:06 AM
Ocean Grey
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 12, 2020, 09:45:05 AM
Dark Green camo. Free hand. No Mask. Used template as a guide though. Soft edges
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 12, 2020, 09:49:30 AM
Yes!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 14, 2020, 11:08:17 AM
 Ocean Grey IB wing tip. https://youtu.be/i5JKuodRevs
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 14, 2020, 11:24:09 AM
Dark Green camo.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 15, 2020, 01:14:10 AM
Rear fuse sides masked and ready for paint. 
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 15, 2020, 01:17:25 AM
Top of stab and elevators same color as fuse sides.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 15, 2020, 01:25:08 AM
1 hour masking. 3 minutes spraying. Really it's not about the painting. Anyone can do that. Masking is the hard part. https://youtu.be/TRcq1pi93Uw
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 16, 2020, 01:16:33 AM
Front top and sides of fuse sprayed. . Green camo on top of stab. https://youtu.be/K5HUF6yvV_s
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 16, 2020, 10:54:41 AM
Rocky. Gone but never forgotten. Not a day goes by I don't think of him.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 16, 2020, 11:28:35 AM
Sprayed on the rest of the dark Green camo. And finally got to take the tape off the Canopy.  https://youtu.be/FURuwKcB7OM
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 16, 2020, 01:42:58 PM
Main frame sealed with Sig Lite Coat.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 16, 2020, 01:58:16 PM
I can hardly wait.  S?P   
 https://youtu.be/kUKVRQTxPts
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 17, 2020, 05:57:04 PM
INK LINES: This was to be my first time inking up a plane. Aside from a few doo dad's on previous models. I wasn't looking forward to it. If not done correctly, they can ruin the entire look of the airplane! First thing I did was print off the scale markings of the correct size...
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 18, 2020, 08:55:04 AM
I started with the bottom of the wing. Trying to fit  scale panel lines on a semi scale airplane, can be...for me anyway very frustrating. I did the entire out board wing and after talking with Joe Adamusko, I decided to put the plane together and weigh everything to the last bolt. Well it came out to 68 Ounces without clear coat. This is a huge problem. The plane was tail heavy. From here on out I had to keep everything from the CG back to an absolute minimum. So I wiped off all the panel lines. I would have to keep them to a minimum. And I'm kinda glad at the same time.😁 Adioise on all inklines on the bottom of the plane.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 18, 2020, 07:06:22 PM
On with it. I started the ink on the nose. Anything in front of the CG, I could add weight and busy It up. It didn't matter, It's either paint or lead I would have to add to the nose to balance the plane correctly.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 18, 2020, 07:09:29 PM
What does a Spitfire gas cap look like? Or, more importantly,  Was the real Spitfires  paint fuel proof? *Start fuel proof argument here. 👇😆
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Craig Beswick on May 18, 2020, 09:06:01 PM
The cap was just a round cap behind a round door.

The Rolls Royce Merlins had it on the inboard side of the canopy behind the line of the compressor intake. The US built Packard Merlins had it on the inboard side but in line with the compressor intake.

I suppose simply put a circle on the inboard side of the top of the nose just behind where the exhausts finish.

Craig
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 19, 2020, 12:28:51 PM
Thanks Craig.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 20, 2020, 11:40:01 AM
Buffing up the filler vent.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 20, 2020, 11:43:52 AM
Debured, radiused, silver soldered and polished uniflow vent. I will install it after the plane is buffed out.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 01:04:35 AM
Back to the CG problem. Checking to see how much work it would be to retro fit a larger engine into the Spitfire. With the original Ro Jett 65 I would have to add lead to the nose to get it to balance correctly. If the heavier  Ro Jett 67 Joe Adamusko swears by fits, I will be happy.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 10:02:18 AM
I should have used a lighter pilot. I pulled this one out of an Rc arf. It's some kind of silicone rubber, and it's heavy. Plus I had no good way of attaching it so I used silicone caulking. Too late to remove it now. The other mistake I made was during the building of the wing. Because I've never built an elliptical wing before, I had trouble visualizing from the two diamentional drawings how the tips were blended into the wing. So I used alot of sanding putty to blend it in, making it look how I thought it should be. Live and learn.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 10:18:20 AM
More ink work. I find the whole process unnerving. I kept redoing it over and over.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 10:21:31 AM
Doing the ink on the canopy was the worst fun I ever had.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 10:24:09 AM
But I do like the look of the white ink on the canopy😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 06:17:13 PM
Think the trick is to use the super fine 025 or 020 pens
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 21, 2020, 10:48:42 PM
Wow. AL RABE doing his thing on his Mustang. Amazing craftmanship! https://youtu.be/Qyqu0tJ9Qpw
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 22, 2020, 07:03:49 AM
Elevators done.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: gene poremba on May 22, 2020, 03:25:28 PM
That is an awesome looking spitfire you have there. Very nice work.....gene
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 12:39:00 AM
New Ro Jett 67. I had Dub Jett shorten the header/muffler to about half the length of the stock one. Wow! That's one nice looking engine! It was Joe Adamusko who suggested the 67. He said ' It's the best engine he ever had'. The Retro fit was really easy too.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 12:47:59 AM
Good thing John Brodak took over Bru Line.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 12:51:05 AM
Might have to polish the header to a chrome like gleam.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 06:24:11 AM
Thankfully the needle valve location, bolt pattern, and prop hub distance on the 67 were the same as the 65.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 06:34:54 AM
The only paint touch up I made was around the cowl near the head of the engine. Just had to shave  off 1/8".
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 09:06:15 AM
So ya, might as well busy up the nose to make up for the lack of graphics aft of the CG. I cut these with my desk top sized vinyl cutter. It also came in handy for making templates for the ink work.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 09:07:40 AM
I used letra set for the "Powered By" and painted on the " Supercharged Rolls Royce Merlin V12"
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 09:09:22 AM
Templates cut for ink work on a desk top cutting machine. It's a Brother Scan N Cut2.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 09:36:03 AM
Rabe Rudder inked.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 09:39:48 AM
Judge's view...
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 23, 2020, 09:41:35 AM
...Pilot's view. Just look at it. Had enuff yet?
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 07:02:58 AM
Spitfire Handle. I make my own Windy style handles for every plane I build. Keeping with the spitfire theme, here's mine in camo paint.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:20:22 AM
With the passing of John Brodak, I will dedicate it to him. We were all so blessed to have such a great man in our hobby! Thank you John!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:24:01 AM
"Spitfire" Mask.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:26:42 AM
Fin flash.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:32:20 AM
Invasion stripes.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:37:27 AM
Dedication to John.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:39:28 AM
Driving it home.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 08:42:45 AM
Roundel / Shark tooth / Panel lines / Rivet detail. Ready for clear coat.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 09:01:21 AM
Top Coat: Usually I use grip tape on my handles after the clear has been buffed out, but I didn't want to cover up the graphics this time. I needed a bullet proof Top coat that would stand up to oil and fuel soaked hands. Fortunately I am friends with the most talented, knowlegable painter and fellow CSF (Controline Stunt Freak) on the planet, Larry Maltman. I told him what I needed and he gifted me with a 2 part water based clear top coat. According to Larry, "It's PPG ECO, the equivalent of the old solvent based clear. Expensive but extremely good stuff." Straight from the horse's mouth. This is the same clear topcoat he uses on his airplanes. The video doesn't really do it justice. https://youtu.be/QRqAYGP1Ooo
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 09:10:24 AM
1 and 3/4" overhang. 4" line spacing. Fully adjustable.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 24, 2020, 09:18:47 AM
Done. Look at the roundel. I can see why guys like 2 part clears. One shot and you're done.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 25, 2020, 07:48:11 AM
 MUST WATCH!! https://youtu.be/ie3SrjLlcUY
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on May 25, 2020, 08:09:16 AM
Kevin,

This is the all time best Build I've seen since I've been in the Forum.

Congratulations!

Charles



Edit: Sense to since.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 25, 2020, 09:08:40 AM
Thanks Charles. Thanks for allowing me to do it.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 25, 2020, 10:41:08 AM
Doing up the handle for John was a nice break and an honor to do. But it's time to finish off the ink. Bringing the inklines off the fuse on to the wing: I wanted the wing to have a clean look, so I will end all panel lines at the 1st invasion stripe.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on May 25, 2020, 10:43:41 AM
Thanks Charles. Thanks for allowing me to do it.

Kevin,

It's my honor to have a skilled modeler with your ability doing a Build at CFC Graphics vendor's corner. Thank you.

Anyone who chooses to participate in Robert's Forum is always welcome to Post at CFC Graphics. A "sandbox" is a great place to play.

I've been a bit lazy lately and a bit unsettled because of my change to Electric. I'm still trying to get a handle on things so I can make proper decisions.

I have to tell you, as I look through your photos and added videos, you're efforts are uplifting and full of inspiration just to say the least. Makes me want to keep at it.

Thanks again.

Charles

Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 25, 2020, 11:01:02 AM
Charles, It must be quite the learning curve going to electric. I commend you on the change. Me, I will stick to nitro till the bitter end. And, yeah, the paint and graphics stage is where you finally see your efforts pay off!😁 For me, most exciting part of the build. Uplifting indeed!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on May 25, 2020, 11:14:33 AM
Charles, It must be quite the learning curve going to electric. I commend you on the change. Me, I will stick to nitro till the bitter end. And, yeah, the paint and graphics stage is where you finally see your efforts pay off!😁 Uplifting indeed!

Kevin.

Interested in another Ro Jett 67?

Email if you are.

Charles
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 25, 2020, 12:37:37 PM
@ Charles. No, My goal is to build smaller airplanes. I still have to build something for my Brand new Big Jim Greenway ST 60. I Also have the brand new Ro Jett 65 for sale that I didn't use for the Spitfire. Anyone interested contact me. I will give you a good price. I want to start building planes that are easy to load into the car. At 63" , planes like the Spitfire are a problem. No more big planes after that. Appreciate the offer though👍
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 26, 2020, 08:46:28 AM
My 'go to' photo of what I'm modeling my spitfire after. Just love this spitfire. Strange how the pilot seems to be blacked out. Maybe the photographer didn't want to pay any royalties? Strange.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: MikeCoulombe on May 26, 2020, 09:04:52 AM
Finally got around to checking out your progress.
Awesome job as usual, buddy.
I can not wait to see it in person, remember that you are always welcome in Edmonton and my door is always open.
Hey what do you want for the. 65?
Mick.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 26, 2020, 09:40:18 AM
Mike both Rosalie and I are looking forward to seeing you this year. We will take a week off for your contest and spend some extra time with you and the gang! By the time we leave they'll be empty gallon fuel jugs all over your field. I can't wait😁 I am working hard to get the Spitfire finished! I sent you an email, we can work out a price on the 65.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 27, 2020, 08:24:30 AM
More ink lines.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 27, 2020, 12:16:59 PM
The Ink work is done. Mainframe and parts are ready for clear. But a few things I learned about ink
and fixing mistakes. 1st as Charles pointed out, have the color sealed with a good coat of clear before any ink goes on.  I tried getting away with a thin coat of clear and found it hard to remove mistakes with out smudging it up. The surface was still too porous.  Especially on white. If I have to remove ink, I now do it in this order: First a plain ordinary Qtip, 2nd a Qtip dampend with Windex, 3rd a bit of Gorhams or a polishing compound on a Qtip, 4th M600 on a Qtip. I only use alcohol as a last resort. Ink pens: The best pens were Rotring Isograph. Good pens are the Staedtler Marsmatic 700. Worst pens were the Rapidograph Koh-I-Noor. Things I will never do again: remove the fine wire that's in the tip of the pen. It only takes a few bends to snap the wire trying to get it back in. Expensive lesson! Better to just flush the pen out with water when it stops working.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on May 27, 2020, 06:42:31 PM
The Ink work is done. Mainframe and parts are ready for clear. But a few things I learned about ink
and fixing mistakes. 1st as Charles pointed out, have the color sealed with a good coat of clear before any ink goes on. Even with a coat of clear I found it hard to remove mistakes with out smudging it up. Especially on white. If I have to remove ink, I now do it in this order: First a plain ordinary Qtip, 2nd a Qtip dampend with Windex, 3rd a bit of Gorhams or a polishing compound on a Qtip, 4th M600 on a Qtip. I only use alcohol as a last resort. Ink pens: The best pens were Rotring Isograph. Good pens are the Staedtler Marsmatic 700. Worst pens were the Rapidograph Koh-I-Noor. Things I will never do again: remove the fine wire that's in the tip of the pen. It only takes a few bends to snap the wire trying to get it back in. Expensive lesson! Better to just flush the pen out with water when it stops working.

Kevin,

You do excellent work so don't give yourself a Gibb's slap behind the head.

About ink lines.

You know I always look for the easiest way to do whatever I have to do on my models. Generally.

An example: I no longer use color auto base paints or colored dope. I'm sick and tired of mixing paint, using spray equipment and then the clean-up. Also the cost.

I'm proud to say I've mastered aerosol cans.

For the level I elect to have my models finished at,

I can say I mastered ink lines also.  LL~

My background as an illustrator, I used Rapidograph pens as you mentioned above. Costly.

I wouldn't spend the money today. I don't have the money today.  n~

Here's what I used for a pen on my P-40. I did a Thread.

Thickness of the line is controlled by pressure and speed. You can't change the tip and they don't last all that long. You would need a couple for some of the models I see. Only 3 or 4 bucks.

https://stunthanger.com/smf/paint-and-finishing/secret-exposed!-pen-lines-photos-added!!/

Charles


Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 28, 2020, 01:09:05 AM
Charles, spray cans do lay down exceptional coats of  paint. I agree with you. They definitely have there place in the hobby. Glad you found a system that works well for you. Same with your method of panel lines on the P40 which I have read several times. You have a very good system there Charles.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 28, 2020, 11:09:35 AM
Getting the props done while waiting for the weather to break for spraying the main frame.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 28, 2020, 11:10:28 AM
Weeeee! 😁 🎵The prop on the Spit goes 'round n 'round, 'round n 'round, 'round and 'round, The prop on the Spit goes 'round and 'round, all  day long 🎵😆 *Check out my video. Life is just better when you have a Spitfire in your fleet! ⬇️ https://youtu.be/KRrfpar8YAU
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 01:46:13 PM
For the Spitfire Props I wanted to add the ROTOL name and emblems. So I made decals.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 01:50:01 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 01:57:32 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 01:59:31 PM
.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 02:00:45 PM
Decals
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 02:53:03 PM
Brian Eather 3 blade CF and a Zinger 13x6. Special thanks goes to Motorman.  Brian Eather no longer finishes props, so it came off the mold and was sent to Motorman who finished the work on it. Very kind of you sir!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 03:02:27 PM
27 % Humidy today. Perfect weather for spraying. I made good progess. Got the clear sprayed on all the ink lines, letra sets, edges, ribs & rib bay edges, and anywhere the paint lines met. Did all the parts and the main frame.https://youtu.be/vqEc2cOZ_zM * And yes, I do spray fluently with my left hand. Thanks for asking.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on May 30, 2020, 03:18:34 PM
Kevin,

You are the man! BW@

No fake BOM for you, out in the open, literally, and doing an incredible job.

Outstanding!  H^^

I wouldn't fly it, but that's me.  LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~

I suggest you build another Spitfire using all the short cuts and fly that one.

Save this one. At least for a while.

Charles
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 03:48:51 PM
You're right Charles. Nice models have hinderd my flying, but I'm just a sport flyer anyway. It's just not worth an airplane. Nailing 5' foot bottom square 8's is tempting fate. I am working on it though. A friend gave me a slow combat plane to practice learning the pattern with. Something I should have done years ago. Competition has never interested me, but if I can't fly a pattern then I'm kind of excluded from contests. 
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 30, 2020, 04:50:26 PM
Spraying the top of the Spitfire now, except I am using wetter coats and being alot more deliberate...https://youtu.be/APh0Qtp03Sk Same deal, edges, ribs, inklines and anywhere two different colors meet, or 'tape edges'.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Avaiojet on May 30, 2020, 05:46:30 PM
You're right Charles. Nice models have hinderd my flying, but I'm just a sport flyer anyway. It's just not worth an airplane. Nailing 5' foot bottom square 8's is tempting fate. I am working on it though. A friend gave me a slow combat plane to practice learning the pattern with. Something I should have done years ago. Competition has never interested me, but if I can't fly a pattern then I'm kind of excluded from contests.

Kevin,

Sport flying is good, that's exactly what I do. I fly around doing endless circles till the engine quits. LL~ Well, a loop or two, maybe, and half a lap inverted. Sound familiar?  ;D  I'll bet some modelers fly this way their entire lives. Nothing wrong with that.


Don't fly the Spitfire. Use it for static display to promote the hobby. You know, shopping mall stuff, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Church events are great, stuff like that. I'd even take it to Karate Dojos. Lots of kids there. And it works.

You never know who you could inspire. To just get one person interested in the hobby is a good thing. Inspiration, I still remember everyone, who I benefited from, that gave me great inspiration growing up. Especially the guys who were modelers.

Hey! You inspire me. I told you that.

So. $ell that other engine and keep the Spitfire. It's nice to look at and always will be. It won't be if you bang the crap out of it.

You can always fly it years down the road, after all, you are young.

Charles



Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Craig Beswick on May 31, 2020, 03:08:37 AM
Extraordinary work Kevin.
Congratulations.

Craig
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 31, 2020, 06:36:06 AM
Thanks Craig.👍
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on May 31, 2020, 06:40:53 AM
@ Charles. No, I will fly the heck out of it. I will just be careful that's all. But thanks for your kind words. 👍Appreciate it.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on June 01, 2020, 01:43:18 PM
https://youtu.be/Z4H5gDJb6H8
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on June 06, 2020, 08:28:32 PM
Got 2 full coats of clear on the main frame. Scuff sanded and ready for round 2. Thanks to my wife Rosalie who supports   my love of the hobby.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on June 18, 2020, 09:09:10 PM
https://youtu.be/DoAgIlNLcM8
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Air Ministry . on June 21, 2020, 01:31:41 AM
Very Good. Us long haired scruffy blokes need to stick together.  S?P or do you just dress up for painting .  :-\ LL~ :-X

With a bleedy great brass nose weight in the spinner , it'd be mega docile . Though not F2Bable . for earliest flights .
and'd be stable with the engine ' backed off ' . which it wouldnt be if you put the weight in the other end .  ;D

ANYWAY , inverted on a table top ( nose & fin tip ), the tipweight should securely pull the tip, from In'bd tip on table top .
Id try 1/2 in. Fwd of the plan C.G. at first . or even initially One Inch , if youre not after the  scedule on the first flights .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting a few dozen schedules in , on some old dog , before trying it on something nice isnt to silly. Either . Even 100 or 200 flights gets you familiar with the nuaences ./
A old Nobler with a FSR 25 on 55 Ft eye to Eye'd simulte it o.k. . Or suchlike . Tho the combat wings the best idea for ' exploration ' .

A flight of repeat individual manouveres till the eyes hang out can help too. Gets the automa tic reflex conections dialed in .
You need time at new fields too , for the background to adjust . ;D or perception thereof at least . So UNDISTRACTED .

So initial flights at your FAMILIAR FIELD . So you know the nuaences of the winds etc  etc .
or a blast on a knockabout on the day. Beforehand . so the reflexes are in .

a bit of fast combat and stunt IS Slow . So no paint fumes for a week beforehand .  S?P VD~

Yr gunna haveta getitin ' appearance ' at the nats . H^^
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on June 21, 2020, 06:42:40 AM
Ha ha @ Air Ministry. I wasn't expecting to be recorded that morning hence my shabby appearance. Plus they closed down all the barber shops due to the pandemic.               Thanks for the pre flight info. I appreciate it.  👍
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 20, 2020, 10:50:35 PM
Spitfire's  Ro Jett 67LS engine break-in. https://youtu.be/394BV-SsDDs
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 25, 2020, 12:37:19 PM
Last break-in run on the Spitfire's Ro Jett 67 Long Stroke. 7.5 percent nitro methane, 20 percent mix of castor / synthetic oil. 10x6 break-in prop. https://youtu.be/SainM0N_X40
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 26, 2020, 07:41:23 AM
Ok ladies, time to start Buffin out the Spitfire! And a month drying time allowed me to knock out a half eh Sig Skyray.😁
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 26, 2020, 09:10:07 AM
Because I hate sanding scratches so much, and they seem almost impossible to remove, I'm going to try sanding all the  clear with 2500 or finer. Hate sanding scratches!
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 26, 2020, 10:43:50 AM
Ya man, I like it. Sanding out with 2500 and a fairly ridged foam sanding block? I can't see any down side to it.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 26, 2020, 11:22:52 AM
But then again I sand the dope flat after almost every coat so there isn't a lot of orange peel at this stage.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 31, 2020, 08:31:19 AM
Wow. Of all the chemicals i'm exposed to at work and in this hobby, never thought it would be Windex that would do me in. Over the last 4 days I was wet sanding with it then yesterday found I had trouble breathing. Its the ammonia in there. Feels like I breathed in fire. Lungs and throat feel scorched. Never want to even see a bottle of it again. Ever.  Will stick to water and dish soap going forward. Good news is all the paint is flattened with the 2500 grit. Next step will be to polish with 3M Perfect It 2. 
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on July 31, 2020, 04:29:56 PM
 The pressure is on too get this plane done for Edmonton contest. Elevator sanded with 2500 grit wet or dry, polished with 3m #2 Perfect It. Still have to polish with #3, then apply the Glaze, then sealant, then wax and final assembly. https://youtu.be/vb_pNSLV8Lw
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 09, 2020, 02:48:39 PM
I can't do it. If I brought the plane to the contest I couldn't fly it. It's not finished. Tried my best though. Not eating, not sleeping and rushing took its toll on my health. It should be the most enjoyable part of the build. They will have to wait another year. Instead I brought Tsunami out. Put the engine back in, gave it a nice greasy coat of Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze, one coat of Jet Seal's Sealant and paint Protectant to seal the shine in and protect the paint against UV light, followed by a coat of Mother's pure Brazilian paste Wax non abrasive formula. 
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 09, 2020, 02:53:34 PM
I have to say, for an 18 year old airplane, the all dope paint job on Tsunami still looks great. I firmly believe that without the silver undercoat, a plane would never last as long as one that does. UV rays, even if they are  indirect, will eventually rot your plane from the inside out. It's just not worth it to me anyways, to try and save an ounce of weight by skipping this step, or worse, using a primer that has absolutely zero protection from the sun. https://youtu.be/g9-evUhbltE
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: Air Ministry . on August 14, 2020, 09:10:23 AM
Ya missed a bit ! .

Theres still some polish stuck in the rudder hingeline .

 ;D VD~
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 14, 2020, 10:12:15 AM
Ya missed a bit ! .

Theres still some polish stuck in the rudder hingeline .

 ;D VD~
HA HA! Sorry, but I don't do hinge lines. 😋
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: TDM on August 18, 2020, 06:21:15 AM
Very nice indeed Kevin. It is in the same kind of building quality with the best I have seen. I would love too see some videos with flights.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 18, 2020, 10:33:48 PM
TDM: Here is the last flight on Tsunami after the contest. I was basically just using up the last 6oz in my fuel jug so I didn't have to bring it home with me. I told Mike there would be "empty fuel jugs all over the field" when I was done, so I was just following through on my word. Except I put his name on the jug so he would get the blame for littering! 🤣🤣🤣 https://youtu.be/u3DovoO0SnM
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 18, 2020, 10:36:54 PM
Mike, just joking, I threw the jug in the garbage after.😁 It was great flying  with you again! *Photo by Bruce Perry.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 26, 2020, 12:04:02 PM
Back from the Prairie Fire Contest in Edmonton. We had a great time. First class contest.  Thank you to Bruce Perry and all his crew that put on a great show. We will be back in 2021.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.         Ok, time to finish off the Spitfire. Rabe rudder installed.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on August 28, 2020, 11:26:03 AM
Hard to believe I am going to have this plane done soon. I started it 15 years ago.
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on September 05, 2020, 01:46:41 AM
After 40 hours of polishing It's finally  finished. Thanks to all that followed along. Thanks so much to the people that contributed. . You know who you are. And thank you Charles for all your encouragement along the way! The Last photo was taken at the Edmonton Prairie Fire contest where the Spitfire took the Concourse award with 20 appearance points and 2nd place in Advanced.
 Kevin King. https://youtu.be/XDCl_CZtqJU
Title: Re: Time To Finish The Spitfire
Post by: kevin king on November 15, 2021, 09:00:51 AM
  https://youtu.be/Lihrvmx2XAw