Kyle's completed Airfix 1/48 Seafire F.XVII - Temperate Sea Scheme.

Rather than a deliberate panel-by-panel spray, Kyle used an Iwata Nano Airbrush Stencil (FHNS7) for speed and more natural colour variation. Two different pre-shade recipes were used - one for the topside (which will receive dark grey & Green upper colours) and one for the underside (which will receive the Sky colour).

Topside: XF2 Flat White, then XF14 IJA Grey, ending with XF64 Red Brown on the upper wing surfaces. Underside: XF2 Flat White, then XF57 Buff, ending with XF64 Red Brown. The Red Brown at the end of both sequences concentrates on the panel lines and recesses.

Pre-shade complete - topside and underside colour differences visible

Pre-shade - nano stencil variation clearly visible

Each colour is worked individually into its correct area. This is important: applying the colours in large sweeping passes would cover the pre-shade work underneath. The colours need to be built up in thin, translucent coats placed deliberately over the pre-shaded surface so the variation reads through.

Upper scheme complete - pre-shade variation reading through both colours.

The classic Sky underside colour of Fleet Air Arm and RAF aircraft in the Temperate Sea Scheme. Mr. Color C368 is the standard hobby paint reference for BS381C/210 Sky. The prop spinner also uses C368 per the scheme.

Tamiya Black Panel Liner for the panel lines throughout. No additional weathering was applied - the reference photos for this aircraft show a clean, well-maintained finish and Kyle painted to match that.

Masking tape cut to width on the AK cutting mat, then painted with Rubber Black.

Cockpit interior in Vallejo Black. Seatbelts made from 10mm Tamiya masking tape cut down to width, painted in Game Color Khaki.

Tyres in Rubber Black, gear legs in Tamiya LP11 Silver lacquer, wheel hubs in Mr. Color C104 Metallic Gun Chrome washed with Nuln Oil.

Prop tips in XF3 Flat Yellow, spinner in the same Sky (C368) as the underside per the scheme.

The wing struts are scratch-built from brass tubing with a rod that telescopes through - a functional solution that matches the real aircraft's telescoping gear geometry. The red marking bands are Mr. Color C385 IJN Aircraft Marking Red.

All markings from the kit sheet, applied with Tamiya Mark Fit Strong to conform the decal film into surface detail.

The Airfix 1/48 Seafire F.XVII and all paints and supplies used in this build are in stock at Wheels & Wings Hobbies in Toronto, available online with Canada-wide shipping.