1/72 Miles Magister - 312 Sqn

[steve149c]

Hi all

So it's back to my RAF Valley collection and this is right at the beginning. 312 ( Czech) Sqn was the very first operational one to operate from RAF Valley when it opened in 1941. They flew both Miles Magister's and Hurricane Mk I's coded DU- until they departed in late April 1941.

So here is the kit, a RS Models version, which is 312 Sqn :-)



I'll be doing the upper left scheme as the dates are correct, but will try and source some photographic evidence to support the final scheme



Then onto the kit - one sprue with nice detail. Details are raised as you would expect on an old wood and canvas bird



Then instructions and decals



And a very nice surprise, some PE in 1/72, put is going to look awesome



Shouldn't take too long to build (famous last words)

Steve

[Flyingmonster]

Look forward to this one mate!

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

Now that is going to be an interesting little New Year build

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Another unique build Steve.

Looking forward to it.

[steve149c]

Thanks guys - glad you like it! I've spoken to my friend in VAS and he has supplied two serials for birds at RAF Valley, these are T9752 and V1028. So a quick google and bingo - T9752 and photos. It had three characters on the starboard nose

Luckily Google turned up a MPD decal set for T9752, so after a long hunt I've got some inbound from the US.

So back to the model - PE in 1/72 is so small! And this kit has no alignment holes

Cockpit started, it's the classic way of body dropping over wings/cockpit



Nice detail on cockpit walls



I've so opted to open the front cockpit door, so I cut the door off and it is sitting safely!

Cheers for now

Steve

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

Good start

Keep us all informed

Cheers

Patrick

[steve149c]

So this has been moving slowly mainly due to a lot of test fitting and my unusual chosen build method! First up the main cockpit walls, seats and floors sprayed in Cockpit green



I then dirtied them up with Tamiya weathering set, my first attempt and I think a little heavy, but it will be very hard to see much. Drybrushed with silver too



And then one side of cockpit fuselage on, and the PE seatbelt fitting has started



Coming together slowly!

Cheers

Steve

[tc2324]

Nice going mate.

For giving interiors that `dirty` look, I use a dark wash and just let it dry as is without removing the excess.

[Flyingmonster]

Very nice mate!

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

Top notch as always

Cheers

Patrick

[steve149c]

Hi all

Well she is coming together, cough cough! And if anyone says that limited run kits are easy - look at this!



Yes she is in there, getting the wing angle correct before applying filler.

Now drying time

Steve

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

If you run short, please let me know, as SWMBO seems to have an inexhaustible supply of pegs

Best regards

Patrick

[steve149c]

So the Magister has been progressing



Up on her wheels (tyres to be fitted) - just got to check the joins and it's spray time



Cheers

Steve

[steve149c]

Hi all

Real progress here, and another mini tutorial

Ok body was primed in Matt White XF-2 and the underside sprayed in Vallejo Yellow, and masked up ready for Camo



Now the surprise if this plane was a wooden prop - so here is how I did it on a test spare tank from the hawk build

First painted in Tan Wood Deck XF78



Once dry a layer of Klear put on, to reduce the grip if the next layer



Then using NATO Brown and a rough small cut rough sponge with a small amount of paint, start at one end and work to other in short strokes



The Klear layer means if you get it wrong, quickly wipe off



Finally to apply the rich varnish coat, apply Clear yellow, and this is the final product



Not bad huh?

Cheers

Steve

Oh - new decals turned up for her today :-)

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

These 'mini tutorials' are a real eye-opener

Best regards

Patrick

[steve149c]

So the paint is on - Vallejo 71002 Yellow for belly and Tamiya XF-52 Flat Earth with XF-73 Dark Green

Prop is dry fit at moment as body will get a Matt coat after decals





Cheers

Steve

[tc2324]

Great work Steve. Love the tip on the wooden prop.

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

I can only echo what TC has said re that prop

Inspired

Cheers

Patrick

[steve149c]

All done and in the Gallery here viewtopic.php?f=294&t=91912&p=574268#p574268