Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire IX – by Darrell Tolliver - Bulerson Texas

When I started the Spit kit I realized the potential early on for an excellent build. I needed a few things to push it over the edge. A friend of mine, Glen Whitmire, who is my local IPMS president told me about Barracuda Cast resin. I purchased the valve covers wheels and car door for the kit. I was amazed when I saw them. I knew then that I had to do everything possible to put as much detail as possible into the build.

I spent dozens of hours into my research of John Johnson’s aircraft. I couldn’t decide which aircraft to make the build so I decided to do a somewhat composite build. I incorporated everything that I loved about all of his aircraft. The aircraft that I decided to build never really existed. I decided to make it more of a work of art than a single aircraft. You will notice that the tail numbers don’t match the aircraft that he flew in Normandy. I decided to add the radio antennas from an earlier plane just because I like them.

I used the Barracuda Cast valve covers, wheels and side door. The seat is kit and seatbelts were purchased from RB Productions (only because I purchased them prior to the Barracuda release of the seat). I plumbed and wired the engine from the limited photos I could find. It was weathered using pastels and Tamyia’s dry pigments.

I painted it with everything you can imagine. It has Testors, Tamyia and Hobby Color acrylic paint. I used an old Pasche airbrush, hand brush and spray can. I spent about a year on this model and must admit that it was the most therapeutic model I have ever build. Barracuda Studios helped make this build lots of fun.

I wish that I had added a lot of detail to it, but the truth is that I barely know anything about Spitfires. The Barracuda Studio products made it easy to decide to really sink the time into this kit. If I could give someone advise it would be this: The devil is in the details and Barracuda Studios was my confessional. I loved the products and they were the very least of my trouble. They looked great and went on with minimal effort.

I will continue to purchase the products and look forward to building my new P-51 Mustang

Barracuda Studios products used:
BR32002 Spitfire Cockpit Door with Separate Crowbar
BR32004 Spitfire IX Rocker Covers with Logos
BR32006 Spitfire 4-Slot Mainwheels