**** DONE: 1/48 Spitfire Mk.II – 266 (Rhodesia) Sqn, RAF Wittering. BofB Group Build

[Vic Balshaw]

Username: Vic Balshaw
First name: Vic
Category: 2 – Intermediate
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Revell
Model Type: Spitfire Mk.II P7350 of 266 (Rhodesia) Sqn, RAF Wittering.

Subject to acceptance this is my second entry into the BofB Group Build. The kit is 2nd hand and has also been part built and painted by its former owner. I have dismantled the model and intend to re-build the kit from scratch using a hogpog concoction of resin, etched and whatever else I can find to complete the kit.

P7350 began life at Castle Bromwich on 18 August 1940 when issued to No 6MU Brize Norton, it was then passed on 6 September 1940 to 266 (Rhodesia) Sqn RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire and was given squadron code UO-T. Its stay with 266 Sqn was short lived as it passed onto 603 (County of Edinburgh) Sqn, RAF Hornchurch on the 17 October 1940. P7350 still survives today with the BBMF and is the oldest surviving Spitfire.

On the 9th August 266 Sqn moved to temporary digs at RAF Tangmere then on the 12th August to RAF Eastchurch in defence against possible anti-shipping operations. On the 13th August Eastchurch was heavily bombed and severely damaged with six aircraft being destroyed on the ground so the next day, the remains of 266 Sqn moved to RAF Hornchurch where it remained for a week before returning back to RAF Wittering.

1a-4 UO-T 266 Sqn.jpg

P7350 in more modern times, though it seems to have an upgraded engine if the exhaust is anything to go by.

1a-4a UO-T 266 Sqn.jpg

P7350 again in more modern times but with 266 Sqn code ZH-T which was not adopted until early in 1942

1a-1 Kit.jpg

The Kit

1a-2 Kit.jpg

1a-3 Kit.jpg

[rochie]

nice choice Vic, how are you going to get all that paint off ?

[Wurger]

Yep ...how ????

[Lucky13]

Looking forward to this old chap!

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks Karl and Wojetk. As people say to gain time while thinking of an answer 'that's a good question'. Well so far all efforts with mild chemicals have failed, naturally I can't use anything very strong or the plastic will melt. The kit has raised panel lines so these have to be cleaned off and new ones etched in. If you look closely at the tail and rear of the fuselage half in the centre of the picture, you will see that I have actually started gently scraping the paint off.

Naturally, if you gurus out there have something better to suggest, please do so as all that gentle scraping is going to be a pain.

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks Jan, so will I once all the dirty work is done.

[Wildcat]

Looks like you've got your work cut out for you Vic. All the best mate.

[ozhawk40]

Interesting collection of bits and pieces! I'm sure theres a great spitfire somewhere in that pile

Cheers

Peter

[Crimea_River]

Looking forward to your progress on this one Vic. The prop spinner in the pics also provide a clue that the subject was photographed with later mods.

As to the paint removal, you're doing what I would do - sanding and rescribing would be the safe bet.

[Airframes]

Should be an interesting exercise Vic ! I believe Mr. Muscle oven cleaner is good for removing paint, although i haven't tried it. Keith (wherever he's gone) has used it successfully.
I've had the honour, and imense pleasure, of sitting in, and moving, P7350 on numerous occassions, back in the '80s, when I made an AV show about the flight. It's been re-engined a number of times, and it was a case of fitting (more or less) whatever was available at the time. Nowadays, with more spares and parts around, the BBMF try to get their charges as authentic as possible. The aircraft still carries three patches, covering bullet holes from the Battle of Britain !

[Vic Balshaw]

Looks like you've got your work cut out for you Vic. All the best mate.

Thanks Andy, my Roc build is going to take precedence, this one is a fill in for something to do in between times.

Interesting collection of bits and pieces! I'm sure theres a great spitfire somewhere in that pile

Cheers Peter

I hope your right Peter, I just took a handful of spare bits and sort of chucked them down for the photo shoot.

Looking forward to your progress on this one Vic. The prop spinner in the pics also provide a clue that the subject was photographed with later mods.

As to the paint removal, you're doing what I would do - sanding and rescribing would be the safe bet.

Thanks Andy, it's good to know someone agrees with me, though I think it is going to be hard going.

Should be an interesting exercise Vic ! I believe Mr. Muscle oven cleaner is good for removing paint, although i haven't tried it. Keith (wherever he's gone) has used it successfully.
I've had the honour, and imense pleasure, of sitting in, and moving, P7350 on numerous occassions, back in the '80s, when I made an AV show about the flight. It's been re-engined a number of times, and it was a case of fitting (more or less) whatever was available at the time. Nowadays, with more spares and parts around, the BBMF try to get their charges as authentic as possible. The aircraft still carries three patches, covering bullet holes from the Battle of Britain !

Thanks Terry and thanks for the tip but I think I'll give the oven cleaner a miss, I've seen what it can do to ovens. I also read that the real P7350 still bore the marks from battle, I'd love to have seen a picture of the patching, it would be great if I could duplicate it.....................

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool choice, and method!

[Airframes]

I think it would be virtually impossible to duplicate the BDR patches Vic. They were so well done, that they are barely noticeable. You have to really look for them, and even then, they're not easy to see. I tried photographing one back in '82, but it didn't show on the print !

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks David and thanks for that Terry, I figured as much.

[T Bolt]

This one should be challenging Vic! I'll be watching.