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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Hello all,
I am building a tribute to Wing Commander J.E. “Johnnie” Johnson, the top WWII RAF Fighter Ace when the war ended in 1945, with 38.5 kills – all of them enemy fighters, which are much harder to shoot down!!
You can find more information about Wing Commander “Johnnie” Johnson here - click on the middle option (RAF Officer):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Johnson
My tribute build will be based around a simple split level display base with the main level having his famous Spitfire Mk.IX ‘JE-J’ in a simple diorama setting on grass with a few figures including Johnnie and probably his faithful pet Labrador “Sally” as well.
The kit I am using is Tamiya’s fabulous 1:32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc which is recognised everywhere as the best detailed and most accurate plastic kit of a Spitfire to date and is likely to remain that way for quite some time!! I intend to take the already excellent level of detail up another notch by adding some aftermarket resin and etch, which you can see in the photos below.
In one of the corners of the base, probably the front right corner, and on a lower level, I will be using one of ‘Mitches Military Figurines’ fabulously detailed 1:9 (200mm) resin figures, that figure being the WWII RAF Fighter Pilot. I decided to have a split level base as the aircraft and figure are different scales and I didn’t want the brilliant Tamiya Spitfire to be overshadowed by the larger scale figure – I think it should work quite well with what I have in mind?
I can highly recommend ‘Mitches Military Figurines’ and anyone who wants to try them out can find them here:
http://www.mitchesmilita...s.co.uk/home/4550845838
The resin figure that I’m using has a reasonable likeness to “Johnnie” Johnson though it has a slightly more pointed chin – "Johnnie" Johnsons’ is a little squarer in shape - which I will be correcting with some ‘Magic Sculp’ resin putty when I come to the building and painting the figure?
So, there we have it, this is my entry. I won’t be starting it just yet as I have other builds currently running that I want to get closer to finishing before I move onto this but who knows, I may not be able to resist starting on that beautifully detailed Rolls Royce Merlin and end up starting this sooner than I want to!!?
I haven’t gotten the WWII RAF Fighter Pilot figure from Mitch yet but I should have it in the next few weeks and when I do I’ll post some more photos of it. In the meantime I have spoken to Ross Mitchell (proprietor) and he has kindly given me permission to copy the photos from his website, which are at the bottom of the page – thanks go to Ross for that, it is very much appreciated!
Below are some “What’s in the Box” photos and the answer is – LOADS!!!
Kev  ModelMania attached the following image(s):
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Glad to see your entry for the build my friend, this is going to be awesome to watch! The Tamiya kit IS the best kit and with all the upgrades you have, it has been elevated to Rolls Royce status!! It had better fly with all that lot in it!!  The pilot figure is very detailed indeed, and will make a fantastic display along with the Spit. Looks like I had better up my game!! Looking forward to seeing you make a start, bet the first one is up by the weekend!!
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/01/2014 Posts: 5,060 Points: 14,980
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Another fantastic build to add to the list. There is going to be so many amazing builds it will be a tough choice to choose one
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Rank: Super-Elite   Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/01/2013 Posts: 4,604 Points: 13,607 Location: Monmouthshire UK
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Nice one, looks a lovely kit The end display sounds interesting too, look forward to it. Steve
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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A great kit and content, can't wait to see it come together 
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Rank: Administration  Groups: Registered, Forum Support Team, Administrators, Global Forum Support Team, Moderator, Official Builds Joined: 09/11/2012 Posts: 8,301 Points: 23,991 Location: East midlands
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WTG, A great collection, but my favourite is the figurine and will be watching all the way, as I have several similar items to complete, but at a later date. Good Luck Regards delboy271155 (Derek) COME BACK GUY FAWKES "YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU"
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Looking forward to this. you are quite right about the quality of the Kit I believe it was the release after their Zero if memory serves and is the benchmark.
Your enhancements look great as does the figure.
maybe you could maintain a link to the figure in your spit diary to remind people it is all one display at the end?
Jase“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/06/2011 Posts: 434 Points: 1,309 Location: milton keynes
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Superb Kev this one's gonna be a fantastic diary to watch so many enhancements, as Nem says, she better be able to fly with that lot   Regards Dan Built - MP4/23, Zero, Deagostini Falcon, Model Airways 1903 Wright Flyer, Senna Mp4/4.
Working - Mclaren M23 1/8th scale to complement the Deagostini MP4/23 & Mp4/4
on the bench, Model Airways Sopwith Camel.
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Hi Kev She looks a great kit and the extra's will go a long way to making a very nice model Regards Andy Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Thanks for the great comments guys, they are really appreciated and I'm looking forward to getting started as soon as I can!! 
@ Daran - I don't think it'll be this weekend, though that depends on whether I can stop myself from sitting on my hands!!  
@ Tom - It certainly is a great kit and the level of detail in the standard kit is awesome enough without adding any upgrades!!
@ Jase - You're right mate, it was the next 1:32 release after their Zero which was awesome enough and I enjoyed following your build of that kit - one which I will get myself eventually as well as their F4U Corsair. Re the link, I am intending to do that, I just wanted to keep the aircraft and the figure builds in their own respective forums, but they are both part of the same build and I will make more reference to that when I start the figure build itself. Thanks.
Kev
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 Rank: Elite  Groups: registriert, Registered Joined: 20/03/2011 Posts: 2,356 Points: 7,122 Location: UK
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A very nice choice of kit and been told one of the best out there. Looks like you have your hands full Kev! some nice resin and etch to set it of nicely too.. good luck and look forward to seeing your build progress. Spencer
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 Rank: Vice-Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 13/02/2012 Posts: 651 Points: 1,903 Location: croydon
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Hi Kev . That looks like an awesome kit and an honourable tribute. Thank you so much for posting this build and I very much look forward to your build . Fantastic kit and upgrades . Best regards. Mark
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Thanks very much for the comments Spencer and Mark, very kind of you and much appreciated.
I'll get started on it just as soon as I can and nice to know that you'll be following my build, thanks.
Kev
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Hello all,
I couldn’t wait any longer so I've decided to make a start on this fantastic kit.
I am not going to be following the kit instructions in strict sequence with this one, but will be building it in three main sub-sections – the engine and engine bay, the cockpit and then the rest of the airframe. Also, I will not be doing this build diary in my normal tutorial fashion as it is so detailed and would take ages to do each update that way, so instead I’m just going to be doing a series of progress reports throughout this build.
The most interesting part for me is the beautiful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, so that’s where I’ll start. The sequence is shown in the photos below.
Photos 1a & 1b - Show the sprues that contain the majority of the engine and engine bay parts.
Photo 2 - Shows the main parts for the engine crankcase, cylinder heads & rocker covers.
Photo 3 - Shows the rocker covers as they come with the kit, but strangely for Tamiya, they are missing the ‘Rolls-Royce’ nameplates. Luckily they are provided in the Eduard etch set. Photo 3a shows them fitted – a nice addition I think?
Photos 4 & 4a – Show the engine assembly up to this point.
Photos 5 – Shows the next set of parts which include the induction manifolds, sump cover, reduction housing and main propeller shaft, parts for the intercooler pump and some etched parts for the induction manifold/cylinder head joints. Photos 5a, 5b & 5c show all of the above fitted onto the main engine block.
Photos 6 & 6a – Show the next sequence of parts which include the main supercharger and carburettor assemblies (photo 6) including a nut which will hold the engine to the firewall at a later stage and then the parts (photo 6a) for the intercooler, magnetos, the starter motor unit and some other fittings, plus the engine coolant (glycol/water mix) tank. The round metallic object is a small magnet which is fitted inside the intercooler during assembly and will be part of the system for holding the engine covers in place when the model is finished but also allows easy removal of them if desired? Photos 6b & 6c shows all of the above parts assembled. I haven’t glued the various sections of the supercharger and carburettor together yet as I want to make the detail painting as easy as possible.
Photos 7, 7a, 7b & 7c – Show all of the parts for this update assembled together.
There is more detail to add yet including some additional wiring and pipes that I will be scratch-building. The next update will show all of that and the engine will be painted and weathered.
All comments and criticisms welcomed. Thanks for looking.
Kev
ModelMania attached the following image(s):
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Nice start Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/01/2013 Posts: 4,604 Points: 13,607 Location: Monmouthshire UK
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Lovely looking engine, very nice detail Steve
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/01/2014 Posts: 5,060 Points: 14,980
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Very nice start Kev, there is some very nice looking detail in the mouldings, with the extra photo etch you have this is going to look amazing
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Great start Kev, will be watching.... Regards Alan
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I knew you couldn't resist!! And you can't get a better start than a Merlin!! Superb!!!
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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