Jump to content

Airfix 1:24 Spitfire Mk.IX


Iain

Recommended Posts

Control column assembled and painted - and some subtle paint wear/grime added:

 

48b427_31e18d3f0ca44782851c26583ab5b79a~

 

Loosely placed in the starboard fuselage half - starting to look OK I think...

 

48b427_483bbb7419514ccc8f0569fa44c66f95~

 

Seat section dry fitted - waited until the harness was done so I could fit the lap straps...

 

48b427_a35ada10d3ea4840a4017d1cac475fed~

 

48b427_78ccb3357770491c82ea4df8a788775e~

 

48b427_6b9584087b614b0493afeae90aa6e5aa~

 

As I mentioned - have made more progress and will try and get some photos later.

 

With regard to change of scheme: we were thinking of doing Pierre Clostermann's airframe - but my client would prefer to have ML407 (the 'Grace Spitfire') in her wartime scheme, to go with the two-seater I built a few years back. A good pairing IMHO!  :)

 

Now - I think I'm going to have to make some assumptions on this aeroplane around D-Day...

 

From what I can ascertain so far, ML407 was built as a Mk.IX with a 'c' wing - but that was modified to 'e' spec fairly early on.

  • 'e' wing modification - with outer machine gun openings in the leading edge retained - even though weapons removed
  • Outer gun access panels still on the underside, or plated over?
  • Bomb racks - option?
  • Front oleo scissor/torque links (fitted to many airframes from '43?)
  • Cut out in undercarriage opening to go with above
  • Later, 'square cut' tailplane
  • 'early' rudder, rather than pointed type
  • 4-slot mainwheel hubs

Still researching what mods I need to make - Spit nines are a bit of a minefield when it comes to details as there was so much variation!  :deadhorse:

 

Back soon, blue skies!

 

Iain

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Iain changed the title to Airfix 1:24 Spitfire Mk.IX

Oooh - almost ready to close up the fuselage - a BiG step forward...

 

The Sutton Harness is by Airscale - ignore the 'jaunty' strap angles - they'll all be fixed later on.

 

48b427_33f593336a4b402b8e72d9157e730df7~

 

I could add more detail - but I think she'll look fine with the fuselage joined and canopy sections on...

 

48b427_56a9648e1da04db09179c5a49668ccc4~

 

48b427_4cc9ee24ef354961a686e07fb30602f4~

 

48b427_19f2b47c86754c43bda730bf19e85ae4~

 

Can you read the instruments? Each is separately glazed and they really 'pop' when you get the angle right.

 

48b427_b0f8e67ef4a8489aa3e7644bbb0382f5~

 

And then it will all be closed up!

 

48b427_b735e852b9ab4a1c8b171da5fe3bf510~

 

48b427_1ccb89d5db3b4292ba900354261e11c1~

 

I partly agreed to take this on as a bit of a 'straight kit' MoJo restorer - it's not quite straight kit, but it does appear to be restoring some MoJo.

 

More later in the week. Perhaps...

 

Iain

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, dennismcc said:

Superb work Iain, this kit does keep tempting me to sit alongside the 1/24 Typhoon in the stash.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

I agree - lovely work Iain, and get yourself one of these Dennis - it's a lot of fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys - I'd like to credit Airfix, Airscale and Quinta for the details - and shortly, Aerocraft for the 'e' wing conversion parts.

 

I'm just the assembler of others' hard work!

 

Go for it Dennis - it's been a fun, and rewarding, project to stick together - so far at least...  :rolleyes:

 

Iain

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fuselage now closed up - generally excellent fit - with just a little filler along some seams - area in front of canopy has a bit of a moulded 'step' from the slide mould tooling.

 

48b427_93c2223e50e84e57a94a537d437278c7~

 

48b427_01f3033862ab4484a5fb26268df7e7d8~

 

48b427_7f216ec0064546c7829bb6bcd1f384bd~

 

And a start made on the firewall/engine bearers/coolant pipes - fitting the latter takes some careful threading through the engine bearers!

 

The bearers are just a push fit into the firewall for now - not glued:

 

48b427_37ca63fa98414509b83bb5c697d82025~

 

48b427_848c2fa334ce49a4962917bfe40648ce~

 

And dry fitted to the fuselage:

 

48b427_a317c32e9fb2432eb4fda930c8808a5f~

 

More later in the week - perhaps...

 

Have fun!

 

Iain

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hobbycraft were also selling them for around the same price. The build was so enjoyable that I am thinking of building a second clipped wing and closed up version with the engine on a stand.

 

Does anyone have an idea about what variant will come next ? The unused parts in the box hint that something else is planned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

Lovely neat work Iain!

 

Interesting to note how similar Kotare’s engineering of the cockpit is to Airfix’s too (albeit in different scales).  

 

You are doing a grand job with this and glad to read that it ‘The Mojo’ is returning. Keep doing that voodoo that you do.

 

Kind regards,

Paul

Edited by Archimedes
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...