A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: THE START OF A BRAND-NEW YEAR…

Having spoken to Marcus over the weekend, we came to the conclusion that with only a few weeks left to go this year, trying to complete anything complex might not be such a good idea, so shelved the decision to build the brand-new Tamiya 1/72 F-14D, electing instead to tackle the new Airfix Spitfire MK.IX.

12th November 2025

Though not officially a new year until the start of January, with the end of the Scale Model World weekend now behind us, my new modelling year has started in earnest, Today. It will of course take a break over Christmas (two full weeks with any luck…) but before then I have a couple of projects to finish for work before that most welcome of shut-downs.

Having spoken to Marcus over the weekend, we came to the conclusion that with only a few weeks left to go this year, trying to complete anything complex might not be such a good idea, so shelved the decision to build the brand-new Tamiya 1/72 F-14D (that will be completed in January) electing instead, to tackle the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk.IX.

Having already built the Spitfire TR.9, much of this new kit is pretty familiar. Construction is much the same and pitfalls, precious few that there are, are easy to plan for and even easier to deal with. That being so, I spent today completing all of the subassembly work, the model being ready to paint internally in the morning. All being well, that should allow some speedy progress, the airframe being all-but by the end of play. How’s that for progress?

As part of this project, or the second of my Spitfires, the PR.XIX, I may this time bring into play some lacquer paints that I’d like to try out from both SMS and MRP (the former available from Albion Alloys, the latter from Premium Hobbies). As I’ve no experience with either of these paint ranges I’m very keen to see how they operate, so spent a few hours this morning spraying them onto some spare parts to get a sense of flow, how tight the edges could be freehand and how resilient they would be once dry. So far I’m very impressed with them and though the thinness of each paint may take a while to get used to, initial experiments are most pleasing.

Speaking of airbrushing, I also spent some time this morning looking at my day-to-day brushes, especially my Iwata HP-CH. Several months ago I damaged the needle and though I straightened it out, the performance of the brush has not been as needed, so today I ordered a new .3mm needle and nozzle from The Airbrush Company. Coming in at around £80 that seemed like a lot of money until I saw that this brush is now retailing for around £400, so a service that is likely to give me several more years of use (I pretty much use it every day) is reasonable I feel. Think of it like a car I told myself that needs to be serviced each year. You need to do that if it is not to break down – same with this tool. I need it to work perfectly each day, so that service is worth it.

Tomorrow, I’ll begin painting and then see where the mood takes me. After the complexity of the Marauder this build (or rather these builds…) should be as close to trouble-free as I can ask for, which is more than welcome. With the Mk.IX’s scheme chosen for me I don’t even have to worry about that, so it really is a case of look and do. If only all builds could be like this…

See you tomorrow.