Subject: Re: PCM Spitfire Mk IX
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Ian Foulkes" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2013 23:46:02 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ian Foulkes 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 12:19 PM
  Subject: PCM Spitfire Mk IX

  Gallery 
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  "1/32nd Scale PCM Spitfire Mk IXc" 
  by "Ian Foulkes"
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  Here is my model of the PCM's Spitfire Mk IXc. As I was making this kit for an arts exhibition at Combat Stress in Leatherhead, and after that was going to a friend, I did not use any aftermarket sets. To be honest, they just aren't needed. Decals by Cartograf, resin detail sets and photo etch you just don't need any. With six decal options for the model, I went for the well known JE-J of Johny Johnson. The kit went together with no dramas at all. I was maybe slightly more "light of touch" due to it being my first model from a limited run injection moulded kit.
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  The cockpit section is beautifully cast in resin, with photo etch for the instruments and dials. It is all prepainted along with the Sutton harness. With some careful pinwashes and highlighting a real masterpiece is within the reach of most modellers. I only have one critisism and that is.... the damned seat is TOO big. This seems to go from manufacturer to manufacturer. The pilot did not sit "in" the seat, but rather on his parachute pack and dinghy. He then strapped himself onto that. I replaced my seat with the one available from Grey Matter Figures. The master was made by Vasko Barbic, so I know that it is correct! I painted the kit with Mr Color RAF colour set. It's the first time that I have used them and I was very impressed. Needless to say, I cannot get any in the UK, unless you know different? I got the chipped paint effect by spraying the area in a metalic paint. A bit of Windsor and Newtons artists mask (exactly like Maskol only you get far more for your money). Spray the camouflage over, wait to dry and remove mask. Then dab on some more mask and respray. I used some well splayed out wire wool. Don't worry, it might leave a few bits of wire on the kit, but these will come off when you remove the mask. Then Johnson's Clear (Future for our American cousins), decal up using micro sol and set. Weather to your hearts content and finish off with the finish of your choice. Although not clear, I did end up with an "egg shell" finish, not really gloss or flat, more like a satin. I picked out the baker light insulator for the antenna with humbrol rust. 
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  In the UK, PCM kits are about £59.99. Are they worth it? Well, we would all like kits to be cheaper. I think that Tamiya missed a trick with their Mk IX. I would rather that it had no engine and was cheaper than the £120 price tag at the moment. I had great fun with my PCM kit and I am currently building their Mk XIV. From a fun and satisfaction point of view, yes they are worth every penny. But that is for the individual to decide. The old Hasegawa Vc can be turned into a show stopper and Grey Matter Figures have some excellent conversion sets for it. You do need to rescribe. But with the Hasegawa kit (if you can get one) going for stupid prices on Ebay, then by the time you add on the update sets etc you can be approaching the cost of the Tamiya let alone the PCM kit. Having said that, I do that too as I love a modelmaking challenge. Photo's to follow....
  "Ian (where's my eye sight gone) Foulkes"
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  Just delete any of the boxes below you don't need.....it's not important to include them.....they are there to give you an idea of the finished article. It is best to limit your article to no more than 60 or so photos, so the finished webpage won't take too long to open.
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