Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: meremodeller on May 05, 2020, 11:54:14 AM
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So, finally got round to my next project for my Battle of Britain film collection. This time it's a small diorama based on one of the very few photographs I have managed to find of the actual filming.
I thought a good starting point would be the ICM kit as this not only contains the 1/48th Spitfire IX but also a collection of figures and stands and steps.
The only real concern would be the 3 blade propeller and a bit of scratch building for the cameras etc.
Find out how it wasn't quite so straightforward in my next post!
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Looking forward to this.
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This will be different.
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....very different, i want to see this one!
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Knowing you Bill - will it have any young ladies in it ?????
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...with tin hats?
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...with tin hats?
...and that may be all!
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Having decided upon this diorama the next step was to identify the actual Spitfire in the shot. It turns out this aircraft is MH434 a Mark Ixc late and quite a well known Warbird before the making of the film. This means that the ICM wings are not strictly correct for this aircraft so apart from the 3 Blade Prop which was always going to be something that would make it different but also I would need to modify the wings. Now it just happens that I had a set of the correct Hasegawa wings in my spares so with a bit of chopping and fettling these were adjusted to fit. Note how the rear fairing has been removed from the ICM Kit and then this is used to match up the fuselage of the same kit.
Whilst the fuselage is being detailed I made up the pilot figure to represent Sqn Ldr Skipper, played by Robert Shaw. This is a mix of parts from various kits so that the correct pose can be made to fit the kit.
I'll come back to the figures later in the build, (calm down Msea!)
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Robert Shaw looks a bit uncomfortable.
Great stuff Bill.
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And you lot have a lot of to me, about doing that to a zombie shark --!!!!!!!!
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Robert Shaw looks a bit uncomfortable.
Great stuff Bill.
Hi Bill,
Great stuff,
And 'I just happened to have a spare set of Hasegawa wings' to use in the build...…..
As to 'Robert Shaw' if somebody stuck a large piece of wood into my rear, I would look uncomfortable too.
Cheers,
Bigkev
PS. This is an educational build for me, not only building wise, but the actual film, its portrayal, and those items used. Brilliant!!
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I have an Aircraft Illustrated Extra from August 1969 which has a 10 page spread on the making of the film. Whilst it has various photos the nearest it shows to your build is AI-H taking off with a bomb exploding nearby. Looking forward to seeing the completed build.
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Moving On. The rear fillet is now in place and I have made progress 'Robert Shaw'.
Note the cannon and M/G ports and the blisters filled from the back with plasticard to prevent shrinkage.
Having watched the film, frame by frame (yes, it is sad!) I am aware there are further detail changes that will have to be made.
Undercarriage will have to come from the Eduard IX kit, fortunately there are lots of spares in that kit when you have build it from the box.
It looks as though the wing to fuselage is going to be fun. You would have thought there would be no problem, they are both Spitfire kits!
In answer to my quote 'spare Hasegawa wings', some time ago Hobbycraft were selling off Revell boxings of the Hasegawa Mk IX kit and I bought 3 for less than a tenner. Useful for spares apart from the fuselage.
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Hi CPH64, I have that magazine and the shot of AI.H taking off with bombs exploding nearby follows as part of that scene, there is some clever editing involved which makes it appear that AI.I taxies out and joins in with Squadron scramble.
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Yesterday the joining of the wings to fuselage was finally achieved. Now some panel lines have to be reinstated.
I also completed the painting of 'Sqn Ldr Skipper' aka Robert Shaw. Sorry to say it really doesn't look a bit like him!
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Great work Bill,
Did you model him on any club member in particular?
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Moving On. The rear fillet is now in place and I have made progress 'Robert Shaw'.
Note the cannon and M/G ports and the blisters filled from the back with plasticard to prevent shrinkage.
Having watched the film, frame by frame (yes, it is sad!) I am aware there are further detail changes that will have to be made.
Undercarriage will have to come from the Eduard IX kit, fortunately there are lots of spares in that kit when you have build it from the box.
It looks as though the wing to fuselage is going to be fun. You would have thought there would be no problem, they are both Spitfire kits!
In answer to my quote 'spare Hasegawa wings', some time ago Hobbycraft were selling off Revell boxings of the Hasegawa Mk IX kit and I bought 3 for less than a tenner. Useful for spares apart from the fuselage.
We will make a 'Yorkshireman' yet.
You have all the correct attributes...
Bigkev
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Good work Bill.
Andy.
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Having airbrushed the upper surfaces with xtracrylics 'Dark Earth', I'm now preparing to spray the 'Dark Green' which will be a mix of Tamiya 'Dark Green' and 'Green'. This gives a greener hue which seems to match the colour they used for the film. I have started the masking up with a new product. 'MRP MR Hyde Masking Putty' which is black and very stringy!
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Make sure the camouflage pattern is correct or Mr Robinson will be after you.
Make sure it is the correct scheme.
It will be interesting to have a review on the new product.
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Don't get the wrong shade of earth brown or Mr Robinson will be having words with you - hohohoho
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Slow progress over the last few days due own part to the better weather meaning that jobs outside can be got on with as it's dry and warm and the decaling took quite some time as I had to find suitable decals from the spares box. Ofcourse they are all wrong for a real BoB aircraft, white codes, bright red roundels, oversize Sqn Leader pennant etc etc. The Codes were cut from white decal sheet and I had the idea of doing much the same with the Victory Crosses but they were just too small to work well. There was a 'Fundekal' sheet specifically for this aircraft in the film but it has sold out and I couldn't locate one for sale anywhere else.
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Ofcourse they are all wrong for a real BoB aircraft, white codes, bright red roundels, oversize Sqn Leader pennant etc etc.
We won't tell Neil its all wrong if you don't - hohohohoho
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Nice job Bill!
I am pleased to report that Bill has painted it in the correct A Scheme pattern (to (Air Ministry Diagram AD1160 for Single Engined Monoplanes, issued in June 1936) and in the shades that the film makers used!!!
Anybody would think that I'm an anally retentive pedant where RAF camouflage schemes are concerned!!??!!
Biggles
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Nice job Bill!
I am pleased to report that Bill has painted it in the correct A Scheme pattern (to (Air Ministry Diagram AD1160 for Single Engined Monoplanes, issued in June 1936) and in the shades that the film makers used!!!
Anybody would think that I'm an anally retentive pedant where RAF camouflage schemes are concerned!!??!!
Biggles
Never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Would NEVER have crossed my mind - hoho
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looking good Bill
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Good clean modelling skills.
Andy.
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Looking good, don't forget to dirty it up. Grass fields threw up plenty of dust!!!!
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The model of "Skipper's" Spitfire is now finished. On with the rest of the diorama, watch out for cameras, lights, and other film crew. I have found out how it appears to join the rest of the squadron taking off. It was pulled away by a team of men pulling it with ropes attached to the undercarriage!!!
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I have found out how it appears to join the rest of the squadron taking off. It was pulled away by a team of men pulling it with ropes attached to the undercarriage!!!
I always thought the RAF was operated by strings - hohohohoho
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Onwards and upwards, string and sticky tape, magic.
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This is another diorama that I'm looking forward to seeing in real life.
Excellent Bill.
Biggles
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Excellent stuff again
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The diorama will be interesting Bill.
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At last! an update.
I have all the camera gear and associated equipment made up now and these will all come to together fairly quickly. Then on to the figures and base.
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Hi Meremodeller,
A daft question I suppose, did they have any glamourous attractive young women on the set, behind the camera's.
If so, will these be replicated in your usual 'attention to detail manner'
Something to look forward too......perhaps?
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Are these parts scratch built Bill?
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Hi Meremodeller,
A daft question I suppose, did they have any glamourous attractive young women on the set, behind the camera's.
If so, will these be replicated in your usual 'attention to detail manner'
Something to look forward too......perhaps?
Cheers,
Bigkev
There should be a DOLLY no doubt!
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Well, all the camera gear, lighting and stands (apart from the ladder all scratch built) are now ready and I can sort the size of the base and find the figures.
Of interest to you all especially Bigkev there is a story about one of the actresses who didn't wear correct WAAF uniform during breaks in the filming. I have to do a lot more research into this before adding her to the diorama.
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Starting to look good, you need a few figures though.
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Well, all the camera gear, lighting and stands (apart from the ladder all scratch built) are now ready and I can sort the size of the base and find the figures.
Of interest to you all especially Bigkev there is a story about one of the actresses who didn't wear correct WAAF uniform during breaks in the filming. I have to do a lot more research into this before adding her to the diorama.
Hi Meremodeller,
I'm sure that the 'figure's' will not disappoint once created. Your research will be methodical as ever, even eyebrow raising!
Cheers,
Bigkev
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This is a great subject.
Will keep an eye on this one.
Andy.
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Well, all the camera gear, lighting and stands (apart from the ladder all scratch built) are now ready and I can sort the size of the base and find the figures.
Of interest to you all especially Bigkev there is a story about one of the actresses who didn't wear correct WAAF uniform during breaks in the filming. I have to do a lot more research into this before adding her to the diorama.
Hi Meremodeller,
Any update on the 'figure'. or are you keeping the detail for yourself.
Hope you 'Safe and Well'
Bigkev
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I finished the base a couple of days ago, 'Foamcore' covered with paper squares for the concrete sections and suitably textured. Static grass and smooth runway. Looks shiny in the photo.
I have 8 figures on the workbench, all conversions and don't worry Kevin there is a special!!!
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Hope the squares are the regulation size. (JOKE)
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Of course they are regulation size!! But they are completely wrong for the Battle of Britain period being a hard stand at Kenley in the 1960’s. Airfields during the BoB were grass.
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What will Neil say ????????
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Now have the first 5 figures converted/assembled ready for painting. In face this is the first photo of them with a coat of primer. I find this useful as it's then possible to see where the models need tidying up/smoothing etc.
Once these are in position on the camera dolly, steps or other stands then others can be made up as and when I find suitable figures.
They are made up from ICM and Monogram kits. Each figure is a mixture of arms legs heads etc.
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Sorry forgot to add the photo!!
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Nice work on the figures.
What, no foibles?
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Little People aka Film Crew now painted and ready for ' Camera, Lights, Action!
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Great lob, I like the "Martinesque" shirt.
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Seems a bit dull to me -- hohohohoho - -- Bill the figures are great.
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Yes the shirt is not upto Martin's colour standards. Like he said Bill, the figures look great.
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When I first looked at the photo of the painted figures, without zooming in, I thought the one in Martin's shirt was James May!!!
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Looks a bit like hime - must be the hair.
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Looks a bit like hime - must be the hair.
Definitely not me with it flat on the top - with lockdown it has something like a rocky mohawk -- looks like Stripe the bad gremlin in the film.
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Diorama now populated, Is that Martin awaiting instructions?
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Very good Bill. The figures certainly make it.
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That looks really good, if you pull the ropes will it take off?
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All you need is a call of action then it's 'Action Stations' !!!!
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Hi Bill,
Great looking Diorama, and such an unusual slant on something we are familiar with.
Are we missing a 'clapper board'?
Bigkev
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Fear Not BigKev, we are not missing the Clapperboard. The chap in the white top below the fin-flash, is holding it on top of the wing. I will be posting more shots as I add further figures so you will get a bit view of the board next week.
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Relay Nice Bill.
Great idea for a diorama.
Well done.
Does any one remember a children's TV program called Clapperboard??
Andy.
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It looks great, something different!
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Don't remember 'Clapperboard' must be too old!
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Next group of figures, Continuity Lady and 2 chaps ready to pull the ropes. Just a clean up and paint.
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I thought you would be having some very sexy hangers (could be hangars) on, the stars "friends".
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The problem with those 'hangers on' is that I would have to pixelate them out!
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Finished the extra figures including Susannah Yorks's body double!
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Hi Mere modeller,
Are the ladies legs pix elated, to save our blushes?
Bigkev
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I was only thinking of the members with Dicky Tickers!!!
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Looking really good Bill.
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My dicker is ticky.
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Regarding ‘Susannah Yorks’s body double’ with suspiciously pixelated lower portions!
How short IS her skirt!!??!!
Biggles
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Steady on Neil, don't get anything in a twist.
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Is someone keeping a check on Neil?