Jump to content

1/18 Spitfire Mk. XIVe - Race #80


airscale

Recommended Posts

So, this is the picture that changed everything…

 

WIP25_zpsxfuccqeo.jpg

 

This is a Spitfire Mk. XiVe (ex TZ138) being raced in Tinnerman Air Races at Cleveland, Ohio piloted by James McArthur placing 3rd on September 4th 1949. The next day McArthur left the airfield at 6:00 am with the winnings and the aircraft leaving no trace of his destination.

 

As soon as I saw it, I couldn't stop thinking about it – bare metal, civilian not military, beautiful lines and right up my street. I had been struggling with fatigue on my F7F and after a bit of soul searching decided why not do both?

 

I found a few more pics, and in fact she is still flying as C-GSPT in Canada..

 

WIP26_zpso4qjphh8.jpg

 

I looked at the Airfix 1/24 Spitfire Mk. 1a kit and what might be involved in converting it to a Griffon, low back Mk. XiVe, certainly a possibility, but through a culmination of events I went for this…

 

WIP14_zpsve5dddll.jpg

 

..it's a 1/18 Seafire FR47 available by order from HpH at 450 Euros without shipping and is being sent on Monday J. I went for it as it's bigger and needs less outline work to correct this to a Mk. XIV than taking a Mk. 1 all way up to the later marks..

 

I have the Monforton book which while it doesn't cover the Griffon versions it has remarkable detail & drawings on everything Spitfire, so I am already part way through drawing up some bespoke PE for it which is scaled up from what I have pending for the 1/24 kit..

 

..I also couldn't wait while it was being prepared so thought I would get started on something, and thanks to Tony Taylor's exceptional pics of the seat (I found them on a forum so I do hope he doesn't mind me re-posting..) I decided to start here..

 

WIP01_zpsatvfsxgk.jpg

 

..so first up I prepared the rear braces by scaling the drawings and using them as templates to form & bend up the parts..

 

WIP02_zpsne4h9js0.jpg

 

..made up a kit of parts either turning on a dremel, forming from litho or using RB Motion car parts..

 

WIP04_zpsu0xng7iy.jpg

 

..assembled the parts and made up pistons etc from tube & rod..

 

WIP05_zpsbnprgg0l.jpg

 

..added the start of the seat mounting & adjustment frame – working from such accurate scaled drawings is an amazing bonus as it fits like watch parts and lines up properly provided care is taken..

 

WIP06_zpsp0snqma8.jpg

 

WIP07_zps78liom50.jpg

 

..onto the seat itself – I decided to make this from litho even though it is a resin/paper moulding, just because I like to work with it..

 

..I annealed a part of it so I could shape the sort of ‘pocket' thing on the side – as I was working I also referred to David Glens book on his incredible 1/5 scale version…

 

WIP08_zpsnjsct7m3.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

..there is a uniquely shaped depression in the seat bottom for the parachute pack, so I made a plastic card ‘plug', fixed it to a thick base and worked annealed litho around it with a coffee stirrer stick..

 

WIP09_zpslk5glufj.jpg

 

..again, making up a kit of parts, including folding a lip at the back of the seat so it will meet and support the seat back..

 

WIP10_zpstkkr31vd.jpg

 

..a dry fit of the parts so far..

 

WIP13_zpstcqfevg2.jpg

 

WIP11_zps75nanocf.jpg

 

 

..making the seat back – I drilled it so I could use micro rivets to fix it together..

 

WIP15_zpshpdq9dux.jpg

 

..used the Monforton drawings to scale templates for all the parts, here I am starting on the fittings related to the seat height adjustment lever..

 

WIP16_zps5aptiujj.jpg

 

..and the finished adjustment lever bits & bobs..

 

WIP20_zps5lhsu7ex.jpg

 

.. I was quite impressed to find with careful assembly it actually works!

 

..lowest position..

 

WIP17_zpsngjmdlfo.jpg

 

..highest position..

 

WIP18_zpsxh02v4b7.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a week, that bit is finished and I like how it has turned out..

 

WIP19_zps4eqrh1ve.jpg

 

WIP21_zps2ev87pob.jpg

 

WIP22_zpsahxu3wvr.jpg

 

WIP23_zpskb2kksih.jpg

 

 - this is assembly number one of what will be a long term project.. I hope you will join me on the journey..

 

 ..also, as it's a Spitfire I am looking forward to getting a lot of advice as I go, as I learn about the airframe and the long list of subtle differences between Marks, versions and variants – I only wish Edgar Brooks was around to keep me straight – in a way I hope this becomes my tribute to him

 

See you soon folks..

TTFN
Peter

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...