Official FlightLine RC 1600mm Spitfire Mk. IX Thread

[Prekin]

US airplanes came with the stripes on bottom sides from factory, so it is easy question. But some Spitfires were painted by hand and other sprayed. From SQN diary I know, that they had one airbrush kit available, but not at all Spitfires were sprayed. That is the reason why I posted the two shots of Sptifire I am doing. Do you see painted or sprayed stripes?

[Grossman56]

Personally, I've masked them and hand painted some sprayed others. I've often thought there's a great untold story about the day/night before D Day (3th of June to the 4th) when all the white paint in Britain disappeared. Then when D Day was postponed, was there a sigh of relief so they could finish even more airplanes??


Grossman56

[Prekin]

Spitfire experts, how about you and invasion stripes on Spitty?
Should be the stripes hand painted or airbrush? Yes, I noticed the famous picture of two mechanics painting the stripes on Spitfire "DP R" days before D-Day.
My Spitfire will be "DU L". What do you see in attached pictures. Hand painted stripes? Easy to see, that "U" was masked and mechanics did not paint ailerons.

[Prekin]

I'm not sure about the roundels etc but the nomenclature decals that came with the kit were terrible. If I were to reinstall them I'd use Callie.

Grossman56

I prefer to paint the nomenclature. That looks more realistic than some decals or stickers. It will be easy on 1/7 scale model.

Last morning I had some calls and sent several emails to local distributors of masking tapes. Awaiting some pieces for testing. If I find some suitable mask for foamy kits we will list the tapes!

[Grossman56]

Not sure how about FW jets, but FL Corsairs still come clear with all decals on extra sheets. I read, that work with large decals on Spitfire was big pain for some customers, so they decided to make it easier for those. In my opinion, there should be 2 options for Spitfires. With decals and decals on extra sheet.

I'm not sure about the roundels etc but the nomenclature decals that came with the kit were terrible. If I were to reinstall them I'd use Callie.

Grossman56

[jetfool]

My Corsair came with the stars installed. Removed and using Callies Rex

[Prekin]

Not sure how about FW jets, but FL Corsairs still come clear with all decals on extra sheets. I read, that work with large decals on Spitfire was big pain for some customers, so they decided to make it easier for those. In my opinion, there should be 2 options for Spitfires. With decals and decals on extra sheet.

[f4u ausie]

My spitfire came decals and all pre applied.. was expecting ,couple decal sets... oh well... would have thought the labour to install them, would cost more than giving u couple options and do it yourself... they however are nicely done .. i assembled it 1week ago.. just waiting 4 maiden asap....:partying_face:

[Grossman56]

Same here Dave, a lot of my planes are not the original livery and some have substitute decals like the Flying Tiger insignia:
And my Spitty is definitely not a stock option as she portrays 'Skipper's' Spitfire in the movie The Battle of Britain

So when we have to deal with removing decals to apply our own, especially when that was not the case with the original releases, well PITA!
I knew the Bearcat went that way but this is the first I've heard of the Spitfire so I guess we can assume that all FL airplanes are going that way. I wonder about the Freewing jets?

Grossman56

[davegee]

Yep, mine came with several sheets and no decal installed. Flightline has decided not to send out sheets and install one set of decals. PITA if you ask me.

Grossman56

PITA, indeed! I don't know why they went to that decision. Nothing against the original livery schemes and those famous pilots, but I seldom go along with the original paint scheme, opting for my own, instead.

Thanks for that information, anyway.

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Yep, mine came with several sheets and no decal installed. Flightline has decided not to send out sheets and install one set of decals. PITA if you ask me.

Grossman56

[davegee]

The masking tape is in hobby shop and vinyl decal foil you can buy in advertising office or car shop.

Cool! Thanks!

Davegee

[Prekin]

Thanks for the info, Prekin! Great job!! Do you have a source for where I could purchase the vinyl decal foil and the paper masking tape. I'm not too familiar with those.

Davegee

The masking tape is in hobby shop and vinyl decal foil you can buy in advertising office or car shop.

[davegee]

Thank you Dave for kind words, I’m glad you like the Liberators!
The yellow tape is paper masking tape. Similar like painting masks for plastic kits. The blue vinyl is 2 year vinyl decal foil.
Whole B-24 was painted by the white full synthetic paint. That was good base paint and no etching layer was needed.

Thanks for the info, Prekin! Great job!! Do you have a source for where I could purchase the vinyl decal foil and the paper masking tape. I'm not too familiar with those.

Davegee

[Prekin]

Thank you Dave for kind words, I’m glad you like the Liberators!
The yellow tape is paper masking tape. Similar like painting masks for plastic kits. The blue vinyl is 2 year vinyl decal foil.
Whole B-24 was painted by the white full synthetic paint. That was good base paint and no etching layer was needed.

[davegee]

Correct. That is RAF Coastal command paint scheme. SQN no.311. "PP Z" GR.Mk.V with dumbo radar in nose and GR.Mk.VI "PP K" (Kosťa).

Hi Prekin: Splendid job on your B-24 models! What kind of tape did you use for masks so that they wouldn't pull off the previous paint over the foam? Painting on decals or markings in my book is the Only way to go, if at all possible. I've had some attempts at it on foam, but usually with poor results.

My FL Spitfire is almost 6 years old, and I think it came with no markings at all already applied at the factory. I painted mine up in the colors of one flown by Witold "Lanny" of 302 Sqdn before he and other Poles joined into the 56th Fighter Group of the USAAF. I had Callie make the specific markings for that plane, but used the stock roundels that came with the kit that are showing signs of age and slight peeling and chipping in spots.

Thanks for any info on how you did your maskings on your beautiful B-24s!

Cheers

Davegee

[Prekin]

Correct. That is RAF Coastal command paint scheme. SQN no.311. "PP Z" GR.Mk.V with dumbo radar in nose and GR.Mk.VI "PP K" (Kosťa).

[kallend]

Dave, unfortunately when I opened the box all decals were already placed on Spitfire. :rage: Roundels on fuselage are waterslide decals same as nomenclature and serial number and tailcode. Unfortunately they do not use softer in FL factory, so will have to repaint them. I prefer if all those details are painted. Just like in real. I painted them also on FL B-24.

Is that the anti-submarine livery? B-24s sank more U-boats (72) than any other aircraft type.

[Prekin]

Dave, unfortunately when I opened the box all decals were already placed on Spitfire. :rage: Roundels on fuselage are waterslide decals same as nomenclature and serial number and tailcode. Unfortunately they do not use softer in FL factory, so will have to repaint them. I prefer if all those details are painted. Just like in real. I painted them also on FL B-24.

[davegee]

I changed my mind about the rivets on radio hatch. RR Handy, you were right!!
I assembled the wings and fuselage to do some last rivets. Now she looks like in winter camo

Hi Prekin: your decals you are painting over look painted on, themselves. Did you paint them or did it come that way? My plane is over 5 years old and all the markings were vinyl transfers, although I much prefer painted on markings. Just haven't found a way to do that on foam without pulling the paint off...

Looking great!

Davegee