Looks great Dave, and "plain Jane" is fine, but don't you at least need to add the red circle in the center of the insignias and the red to the flag on the fin?

 That little bit would wake it up quite a bit.

   ...Hey Dave, When the Royal Australian Air Force was formed on 31 March 1921, it adopted the existing red, white and blue Roundel of the Royal Air Force to identify the aircraft. However the red inner circle was removed during WW II, when an 11 Squadron Catalina was mistaken for a Japanese aircraft by a United States Navy Wildcat. Correct Roundel on your cool bird.

 Hmm, I guess I didn't realize that you were doing an Aussie version Dave. I wonder era the simple blue and white insignia was used, I assume the red kangaroo was added to it later...which might still be a nice addition.

I'd bet there were still a few Spits in service there in 1956.  Could be some go the Kangaroo...that would be cool!  I know some Spitfires were in service in third world countries into the 60s.  I think Spain was using Spanish built ME 109s into the late 50s.  I have a couple Veco Hurricane kits to build.  Might look for interesting alternative paint schemes there.  I did a Hurricane of my own design a few years ago as a sea hurricane.  It looks pretty good in aqua camouflage.  Pretty airplane but got too heavy to fly verticals very well.

I did a Google search and found one photo with the'roo' markings on a row of Spitfires.  Most were like mine.  Interesting how many were 'tropical' versions and how many had P40 style sharks mouth paint.  Also found one in Japanese markings and one in Russian.  I weighed the bird ready to go.  48 ounces.  Better at a little less but we works with it.

Well I gave up on the Stallions.  Three different engines couldn't get job done.  When they did run they had no power.  All would get hot and quit about half way into a flight.  Converting the Spit to Red Head McCoy .35s.  I have five of the 'good' ones from the first production run.  I KNOW these will perform.  What little I could tell the machine felt pretty good in the air.  Didn't find any alignment or control issues.  Did have about 1/4 ounce too much tip weight.  I didn't make it adjustable so had to cut a hole and pluck it out.  Should be ready to try again by the weekend.
Also found I created a problem with a 1/16" plywood spacer with sandpaper glued on used to space the spinner backplate away from the nose ring since it seemed to rub a little.  It didn't compress perfectly and caused that big 2 1/2" aluminum spinner to run a little off-true which would foam the fuel when the tank got down below half full.  I replaced that with a stainless washer which solved that.  I had to chop the nose back about 1/4" to retrofit the McCoy so fixing that problem by giving myself a little more spinner clearance.

Hi Dave,

I like the looks of it and I'm glad there are no flying issues!  IIRC, the original Sterling plans called for a Veco .35.  That's what I put in mine, and when the rebuild gets done, it will still be in it.   I love both the Red Head McCoys and the Vecos.  IMHO, the Veco is a touch stronger and I believe they will interchange.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Hi Dave,

I have been saving my #1 Veco .35 for a replica of the model Bob took to the World Championships which is hanging in the AMA Museum.  It is a T-Bird II but slightly different from the Veco kit.  You should like that Veco.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Plane looks great Dave. Like everyone else on this forum, I've always admired Spitfires.