Well, after spending some time in modelling limbo for the past few month and doing no more then an occasional thing or two left and right on shelf of doom projects without finding a project I really felt committed to I finally came across something that I wanted to do.
With this new project I hope to convert the newly released Airfix 1/48 Spitfire PR.19 to a Spitfire MK.XIV(c/e). Terry (Airframes) already pointed out the general changes that need to be made in order to convert this PR.19 to a MK.XIV. Based on Airframes remarks about this I set out to dig through my own reference material on the Spit to see what needs to be done. I haven't decided yet on wether this will be a MK.XIVc or MK.XIVe, but since I have some decals for James Lacey's MK.XIV on hand that will be one for now (subject to change) Regardless of wether it will end up becoming a XIVc of XIVe, some of the changes needed are really obvious and in your face, so I decided to get started with some of these. Area's indicated with the red marker are points I've been working on, or need work.
Starting with pic 1, it shows the port side intake that had to be removed. I cut it of with a fresh blade, sanded the area smooth, filled a small gap that appeared with plastic card and topped it off with thin CA glue that was sanded/polished smooth. Also on the port side I scribed in a preliminary cockpit door (subject to change should I decided to pose it with the cockpit open) Also, a panel line was 'deleted, as was the outline of the port side camera access door. I glued the camera lens in place. This will serve as the 'base' from with the remaining gap will be filled so as to completely remove any trace of this hatch ever being there.
On to pic 2. Some more panel lines and access doors were removed. Also Indicated is the area were a new access door/hatch has to be scribed in. On this side of the fuselage that will be the most complicated step in the process.
Pics 3 and 4 show the new windscreen I found in my spares box. Not sure which kit it comes from, but it's just about a drop fit that sits rather well on the fuselage and lines up pretty neatly with the 'vanilla' unmodified center piece of the PR.19 canopy. Something I also need to work on is the back part of the canopy. The kit comes with the later production canopy with the larger back side of the canopy. I'm thinking it shouldn't be too hard to modify this clear part to make it look like something that is found on a MK.XIV, including a rail for the sliding center piece. I also found an additional center piece that sits neatly in the 'slided back' position. Should I decide to spice up the interior and pose everything open position this might be a suitable replacement part for the one piece affair the kit provides.
Sofar I'm thinking Airfix certainly managed to capture the elegant lines of this late griffon engined beast, and I think it certainly serves as a solid base for a good many conversion project.
With this new project I hope to convert the newly released Airfix 1/48 Spitfire PR.19 to a Spitfire MK.XIV(c/e). Terry (Airframes) already pointed out the general changes that need to be made in order to convert this PR.19 to a MK.XIV. Based on Airframes remarks about this I set out to dig through my own reference material on the Spit to see what needs to be done. I haven't decided yet on wether this will be a MK.XIVc or MK.XIVe, but since I have some decals for James Lacey's MK.XIV on hand that will be one for now (subject to change) Regardless of wether it will end up becoming a XIVc of XIVe, some of the changes needed are really obvious and in your face, so I decided to get started with some of these. Area's indicated with the red marker are points I've been working on, or need work.
Starting with pic 1, it shows the port side intake that had to be removed. I cut it of with a fresh blade, sanded the area smooth, filled a small gap that appeared with plastic card and topped it off with thin CA glue that was sanded/polished smooth. Also on the port side I scribed in a preliminary cockpit door (subject to change should I decided to pose it with the cockpit open) Also, a panel line was 'deleted, as was the outline of the port side camera access door. I glued the camera lens in place. This will serve as the 'base' from with the remaining gap will be filled so as to completely remove any trace of this hatch ever being there.
On to pic 2. Some more panel lines and access doors were removed. Also Indicated is the area were a new access door/hatch has to be scribed in. On this side of the fuselage that will be the most complicated step in the process.
Pics 3 and 4 show the new windscreen I found in my spares box. Not sure which kit it comes from, but it's just about a drop fit that sits rather well on the fuselage and lines up pretty neatly with the 'vanilla' unmodified center piece of the PR.19 canopy. Something I also need to work on is the back part of the canopy. The kit comes with the later production canopy with the larger back side of the canopy. I'm thinking it shouldn't be too hard to modify this clear part to make it look like something that is found on a MK.XIV, including a rail for the sliding center piece. I also found an additional center piece that sits neatly in the 'slided back' position. Should I decide to spice up the interior and pose everything open position this might be a suitable replacement part for the one piece affair the kit provides.
Sofar I'm thinking Airfix certainly managed to capture the elegant lines of this late griffon engined beast, and I think it certainly serves as a solid base for a good many conversion project.
Attachments
Last edited:
I just picked to profile to get an idea of where I want to take this project. As I was going through pics and profiles on the web I noticed it's being depicted in either standard temperate scheme or with dark earth added. Any additional info on this subject would be appreciated, but I think it will be a while before any of that is needed so no need to rush it. I have to get the plastic right first before there can be any talk of colour schemes.
