**** DONE: Spitfire Mk IXc - James Edgar " Johnnie" Johnson - Aircraft of the Aces GB

[brucejscott]

Username - brucejscott
First name - Bruce
Category - Intermediate
Scale - 1/48th
Manufacturer - Hasegawa
Model Type - Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXc Wing Commander J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson
Aftermarket Parts - None
Decals - Colorado Decals Spitfire Mk. VIII & IX Aces #48-63





Since this will be my first group build, I decided to try another first and build my very first ever Spitfire ( that's right, never built one ). A true departure from my normal pacific naval aviation builds.





These are my jumping off points. I have heard good and bad things about this kit, but as I am doing this for fun, I don't care. Besides, never having done a Spitfire before, I won't know the difference. This may take a bit as I still have that Martlet on the bench ( which is new and finished ) plus a Mustang Mk.-1A I started on vacation at the beach when it was raining.

[Airframes]

I was wondering if someone would do this one! Great choice Bruce, looking forward to the build. Johhny Johnson used to live only a few miles from me, until he passed away.

[brucejscott]

I was wondering if someone would do this one! Great choice Bruce, looking forward to the build. Johhny Johnson used to live only a few miles from me, until he passed away.

You are about as lucky as they come. I hope you got to meet him.

[Crimea_River]

Good choice. Plenty of Spit IX builds on the forum too for your reference.

[Nxthanos]

A JE J not made by Airfix, cool!

[ozhawk40]

Welcome on your first GB Bruce, you sure picked a classic to start. Looking forward to this.

Cheers

Peter

[jjp_nl]

Nice subject you've picked there, and also indeed the 'well loved ' hasegawa kit. Never cared much for the critisism on the kit either (although I wouldn't mind if Tamiya managed to shrink their 1/32 scale MK.IX to 1/48 ), other then it's a typically well engineerd Hasegawa kit, so you'll have good time building it, I'm sure of it

[Wurger]

[Wayne Little]

Welcome aboard Bruce!

[Airframes]

Yes Bruce, I met him twice at aviation events, and then 'bumped into him' in his town a couple of years later. I was really pleased that he remembered me !

[Vic Balshaw]

Nice choice and welcome to the build Bruce. Like Terry, AVM Johnson was also known to me though not in the same light. He was my boss in Aden (became South Yemen and now part of Yemen) and loved his parades and weekend breaks down to Mombasa, Kenya.

[woody]

Nice choice welcome aboard to the GB Bruce.

[Peebs]

Hey Bruce,
The the man of the hour for you!


JJohnson.jpeg

[N4521U]

First GB was a nervous one for me, I hadn't done a lot of detail before but these guys got me thru it. Anxious to see the progress on your excellent choice.

[brucejscott]

Vic - You are also a very lucky fellow
Peebs - Thanks! Great picture!
And now for a question. Is the seat in the picture solid, unpainted Bakelite and did it always look like that? It may sound dumb but I am used to aluminum bucket seats. I was going to post some progress pics but after finding this I think there may be some repainting in store. Thanks.