Author Topic: Anyone wanna skin this Spitfire? (Read 1999 times)

Squire · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2007, 06:12:27 PM »

Looks like there is IS a photo clearly showing red stars on the upper surfaces of a Spit Vb going to the VVS in Iran ("Did the USSR use Spits" thread in the A and V forrm), but the debate would be wether they were kept on or not I guess...

No yellow leading edges tho, that is clearly indicated in the photo, which is very sharp and clear.

http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/spit/index.htm

Thx to Bruno for looking it up.

Kev367th · « **Reply #31 on:** February 22, 2007, 11:06:18 PM »

Look at that pic more closely.
You'll see a dark area from the stbd nav light running along the leading edge.
Some of the older films types as they age the 'colors' (yes I know it's black and white) just go plain wierd.
Especially true of grey values associated with yellow.

Krusty · « **Reply #32 on:** February 22, 2007, 11:20:16 PM »

Kev's right. It's there. The stars look a little faded but it seems like the yellow wasn't white-washed.

Squire · « **Reply #33 on:** February 23, 2007, 09:44:52 AM »

I can see it but it seems like its painted over, but like you say, could be just the b/w photo.

In any case any version of "538" would be a nice addition

Tilt · « **Reply #34 on:** February 23, 2007, 10:03:18 AM »

VVS Museum birds after the GPW did have Stars added to the upper wing surfaces..infact they were often re painted in "heroic" colours that they never saw combat in.

The La7 at Monino even now shows the stars on the upper surfaces that it never had. It was this practice that led modellers all over the world adding upper wing stars to ac that never used them.

http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Riabsev/2243.htm

Dan the Spit IX pic you show seems to be at a museum............is it? 2nd reason I ask is the style of the numbering which was not typical.

Also is that a direction finding radar loop on the back of that Spit IX? (Post GPW in Russia I have an La7 picture with a similar loop that was a museum item after the war.)

Re the Spit in the article "Spitfires over the Kuban" what nationality are the engineers working on the air craft......they look to be dressed in std RAF desert garb to me.

Abadan was an US/UK aircraft assembly plant until late 43 when it became a delivery point for aircraft assembled in Basra.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/persian/chapter13.htm

Also note that the Stars are on but not the air craft or unit code. From this I would surmise that these stars have been added (in this case) by Brits.

I consider that Dans Picture is possibly of a Spit IX "dressed for display" not with its normal camo and markings.

I would not be infatic about this point............... I would just suggest that when in doubt do NOT add stars to the upper wing surfaces

Kev367th · « **Reply #35 on:** February 23, 2007, 10:11:42 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Tilt

Re the Spit in the article "Spitfires over the Kuban" what nationality are the engineers working on the air craft......they look to be dressed in std RAF desert garb to me.

Also note that the Stars are on but not the air craft or unit code. From this I would surmise that these stars have been added (in this case) by Brits.

They were Brits.
Photograph was taken in Iran while they were being prepped for delivery to Russsia.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 23, 2007, 11:52:59 AM »

Tilt, the image of the Spit V with the loop antenna is supposadly from a display of Soviet Wartime equipment, sometime after 1943. So you are probably right about the markings.

The loop antenna was added after the Soviets got the Spit for what it's worth.

Tilt · « **Reply #37 on:** February 23, 2007, 02:31:01 PM »

I think Kevs Spit V skin looks superb

For me I would layer some semi transparant camo (greyed over the original roundals )over the wing to fade out the upper wing star and then dirty up the leading wing band with a grey type camo.

I have no data regarding the validity of the arrow one way or another.......

Its not a typical lightening bolt as per 303IAD but stuff was often put on the sides of VVS ac by the pilot or his ground crew...some times slogans some times personal emblems.

The Guards emblem on the tail is because the ac is part of a Guards regiment (57 GIAP) the only thing unusual is that it is on the tail and not forward of the cockpit where it would normally be placed.

Krusty · « **Reply #38 on:** February 23, 2007, 04:34:52 PM »

I was wondering about that. Why is it on the tail?

Tilt · « **Reply #39 on:** February 24, 2007, 12:00:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
I was wondering about that. Why is it on the tail?

I can only assume its because

a) the brits forgot to put a star on the tail of the spits so 57 GIAP used the free space for their guards emblem

b) the panel joints forward of the spits cockpit were not condusive to placing the large guards emblem there

United · « **Reply #40 on:** February 24, 2007, 12:25:20 PM »

I skinned this one quite a while ago. I had never seen the arrows before, though and did it without.

Krusty · « **Reply #41 on:** February 24, 2007, 12:26:16 PM »

Did you never submit it?

United · « **Reply #42 on:** February 24, 2007, 12:33:43 PM »

I think I did in AH1, but I made it for AHII and don't recall ever hearing back about it. I dont have a subscription so theres no way I can check it. I may not have even submitted it, it has been a while.