Eduard Spitfire Ixc Early Edition ProfiPACK (Converted to Late edition) Kit #8282

The Kit

Actually, the kit I used was an Early Edition, but all the parts needed for the Late Edition are in there too.  Some time ago, I had pirated the markings, the masks and some parts from this ProfiPACK kit for another project.  I put the reminder away for another day.

At some point, Eduard offered a Spitfire in Israeli Defense Force service markings.  But for the fact I simply had accumulated too many ProfiPACK kits in my stash, I would have bought it.

Then I saw Techmod decal set 48064, with markings for Spitfires in IDF service.   After examining this kit,  I found that all the parts for a Late Edition with the clipped wings and the cannons mounted outboard were all there.  All I needed were for the Late Edition instructions to identify the correct parts.   That was easily easily available on the Eduard website.

Confused?  I hope not.  The kit went together perfectly with no issues.  The Eduard Spitfires are well-known and do not require much recounting here.  This is my second Eduard 1/48th scale Spitfire, and I was again unable to figure out the odd arrangement of parts for the exhaust manifolds.  But that was no issue as they fit perfectly without all the parts called for.  Some of the parts are extremely small and difficult to work with.  However, patience will be rewarded.

Tamiya paint was used over Tamiya Surface Primer.  Colors used were:

    XF-10 - Flat Brown
    XF-19 - Sky Grey
    XF58 -  Olive Green
    XF-71 - Cockpit Green (IJN) - appears to be the same of Pale Green RAF cockpit color.

The red stripes on the tail were masked off and painted and came out really well.  I used Vallejo Model Air Red/RLM 23, 71.003.

The Techmod decals work very well and settled down with Tamiya Mark Fit (regular strength).  Mark Fit Strong should be reserved for heavier decals, such as Tamiya's own.  Techmod decals come from Poland, and they are very high quality and beautifully printed.  Full color instructions/diagrams are included.  This is my second model using them, and I am quite pleased.  I obtained mine from Hannant’s in the UK.

Historical Information

Looks like White 26 has been reduced to gate guard status.  Or maybe it is another one.  My research told me that the Czechs painted over the RAF Dark Sea Grey with Dark Earth and left the Dark Green and Medium Sea Grey alone. Who knows for sure about these things with no contemporary color photos?   Photo by Oren Rozen.   

Operation Velvetta  involved the ferrying of some 60 Spitfires purchased by the the newly created State of Israel in 1948 from Czechoslovakia at $23,000 per plane.  Israel was involved in a rapidly expanding war with their Arab neighbors.  See Wikipedia article here.

During the war, there was actually an air battle where Egyptian Spitfires fought Israeli Spitfires.   Another ironic fact is that Israel also flew a number of Bf109 ex-Luftwaffe fighters.

Although the U. S. was the first country to recognize the Jewish state upon its creation, the arms cornucopia had not opened at that point.  Israel had to make do with what could be bought on the open market.  Only 4 years after the end of World War II, there was a lot of war material available for purchase.

I was very pleased to be able to add this Spitfire to my collection.

 As always, thank you for visiting my blog.  Comments are always welcome.

Hobby Boss M706 Commando Armored Car in Vietnam, #82418, 1/35 scale

I was one of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam during the war (9.8% of the male members of the Baby Boom generation).  In my case, it was as a member of the U.S. Army Intelligence Service.

I spent some of my time in country at Tan Son Nhut, the air base just outside Saigon.  Security at Tan Son Nhut was the responsibility of the USAF and some ARVNs.  The Air Force guys had M706 Commando Armored cars they rode around in, only their model had a single .50 caliber M2 mount on the top, not the twin .30 caliber M1919 mount this kit replicates.

The Air Force guys would ride around wearing those huge ear protectors the guys wore on the flight line.   Inter-service rivalry required that we say something, so we not-all-that-bright Army guys would make fun of their “ear muffs”.  Haha.  So funny.  Of course, those USAF guys are home now listening to their TV’s without the volume so high that one can hear it in the next county.

With that background, and never having made a Hobby Boss kit, I was immediately attracted to this one.

Generally, I liked the kit.  It went together well with no huge problem areas.  I had to use some putty on the front to eliminate some gaps, but they may have been more my fault than theirs.  There is a partial interior.   I say “partial” because the main pieces are there, such as the crew seats and the engine cover, but there is little other detail.  The driver’s seat has to be too small, and maybe the entire drivers compartment is too small.  I don’t know.  However, I closed all the hatches, so the only way it can be viewed is to remove the turret, which is easily done.

I liked the separate clear windows.  The vinyl tires left something  to be desired.  They have an indented seam in the center of the tread that is way too deep to be sanded out.  Otherwise, the tires are nice, but I would have preferred plastic.

There is a fret containing two stone guards for the headlights, a nice touch.  The decals went on very well with Tamiya Mark Fit.  The markings are for two Army MP vehicles, and I selected the one with the colorful name on front.  (For those who don’t know, “Blind Faith” was a short-lived “super group” formed by Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton in 1969-1970.)

Here are two Internet kit reviews I found useful:

Armor Modeling and Preservation Society

Perth Military Modelling Site ((Perth, Western Australia)

This is my second Vietnam War vehicle.  I have gathered some after market items for a Tamiya M48A3 I will be building at some point. 

All in all, this was an enjoyable build and I recommend it to modelers interested in the Vietnam War.

A tab made of masking tape provides a helpful method for quickly finding the correct sprue.  On the upper right, you can see part of the foamcore base I made for my adhesive bottle to prevent spills.  Don't ask me why I made that.

As always, thank you for visiting my blog.  Comments are always welcome.