1/48 Hasegawa Spitfire Mk.IXe RNoAF

by Espen Eriksen

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  Norway Constitution Day 2004 

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This Spitfire is painted in the colours of the 331 squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force as it was painted in Dec. 1945. They were then stationed at Gardermoen airfield from when they returned from England after the end of hostilities, until early -46. They retained their English camouflage and the codes. The Norwegian markings were painted directly over the English ones, and consequently they were of the same size, as shown in this example but they were later reduced in size.

Click on images below to see larger images

The first mistake I did was to buy the wrong version of the mk.IX. due to lack of research I ended up with a Hasegawa mk.IXc and not IXe as I should have, consequently making extra work for myself.  some blisters were sanded down and the cannons relocated, so I ended up with something akin to an IXe..I added the detailed cockpit from  and Control surfaces from and finally  the Eduard flaps. Soon the assembly was finished and ready for my second mistake; Painting.

          I decided somewhat unwisely to prime the Spit with Humbrols 11 chrome silver, to obtain a metallic sheen through the camo. This was an experiment that flopped tremendously. As a carefully tried to remove the masking tape after having painted the camo, it came off in flakes. So I sanded it down and painted it again from the beginning.

          Finishing and weathering is many modellers favourite part of the process, and this one is no different. The decals from Norseman were super, although they left little possibility for adjusting once they were on. Due to my previous mistake on the finish I was still haunted by my Nemesis, namely silvering. Although not too much.

          Finally I weathered the Spit fairly heavily, as they had seen extensive use in this livery in the last year of the war.  Hope you like it..

Espen

Photos and text © by Espen Eriksen