Spitfire Mk XIV best 1/48th kit? Opinions...

[N4521U]

I'm planning a Mk XIV Spit for GB43, yes, I do like to research and plan.
Seams Academy 1/48th is the most readily available kit right now.
They have had a Oooooo, Special Edition at one time, anyone know anything about it?
If it is in fact a different die set? Parts different? Fit better?
Any other kit knowledge?
Cheers, Bill

 

[rochie]

Bill.

Unless you can find the Hobbycraft high back kit, Academy is your only option.

Academy kits are ok but the shape of the nose is too deep i am told, looks like a Spitfire XIV to me though

 

[fubar57]

Built it here...**** DONE: 1/48 Spitfire Mk.XIVe - Home Country Modern Aircraft/Spitfire Marks GB. I don't recall any serious issues. Having said that.....Supermarine Spitfire XIVe by Brett Green (Academy 1/48)

 

[Crimea_River]

One of the reasons I've been harping about a new tool XIV for years now. Airfix or Eduard need to come through.

 

[rochie]

i believe you can cross kit the eduard MkVIII and Airfix PR XIV to make a Mk XIV, dont know about all the tiny details on that though, but then you gotta buy 2 kits

 

[Crimea_River]

Exactly. Airfix are so close with the PR it would so easy to come up with the fighter mark.

 

[Airframes]

As Karl mentioned, both versions of the Academy Spit XIV (high and low back) are inaccurate in various areas - the nose and mid fuselage being just two.
The old Hobbycraft kit can be found on e-bay and other places, and not too expensive. Whilst a little basic, it was, for its time, quite advanced, and goes together without problems, and looks like a Mk.XIV, although the canopy is typical HC, being thick and chunky, and needs replacing for a more accurate shape.
As Andy mentioned, a good kit of the Mk.XIV is needed, and Airfix should be able to produce one using their PR.19 as a basis.
The PR19 can be used, with little alteration, but needs the addition of the 'fighter' windscreen or full canopy, cannons and cannon bulges etc.

 

[N4521U]

Tops guys.
But I'm gonna have to read thru them a couple of times to digest it all.

Bill

 

[rochie]

Tony OToole

Here ya go Bill