WIP Spitfire PtIII-The fiddly Bits

I had read on several occassions and from several different sources that it was against regulations for an RAF Spitfire to be parked with it's flaps deployed. Kinda takes away from the joy of scratch-building. So, instead, I decided to drop the starboard wing radiator flap. The kit has this as molded on and it looked terrible. I cut it off and scratch build a new flap. I also had to detail the radiator with gun warming tubes and photoetch screening. Added brake lines to the landing gear as well as some generic oleo scissors (they looked the part. Just for giggles, I added valve stems to the wheels. Gave the rudder actuator a bit of detail also.

"I added valve stems to the wheels."

Now that's over the top! ;-)

Seriously though... I stand in awe at modelers with the skill, patience and attention to detail to do the kind of work that you are doing. Well done!

Wow. Saying more is just not needed, so: Wow.

Amazing

Great pics too

Amazing level of detail - really well done!

Beautiful work! Makes me want to get back into model building, but my apartment is too small to fit any more stuff in here.. No room to build



I believe the flaps were spring-loaded, at least on the early marques, so when pneumatic pressure bled off they'd pop back up anyway.

Wow! Great work, Seamus

They could also be part deployed for shorter than normal takeoffs, by the expedient of allowing them to close them against a block.

After takeoff and climb to a safe height they would be opened, the block would fall away and the flap would then be closed.

Normally positions were open (90 degrees) or closed. Probably wasn't done very often, but it remained an option.

Yep They used that trick when flying off carriers for Malta.