mmD's Spitfire VB Floatplane 1/72 *Finished*

[mightymikeD]

Nice wee model of one of the VB prototype developed by Folland (W3760).. never went into full production because of the IX coming along.

[mightymikeD]

OK.. we are go.. primer is on

A bit of History before the Whiffery..

The RAF made several attempts at converting Spits to Floats, starting with the MkI prototype (AKA the "Narvik Nightmare") which, as you may have guessed, was developed to operate from fjords during the Norwegian Campaign. Production was cancelled due to a pressing need for all available Spitfires for some little event involving massed Luftwaffe attacks on Britain that followed shortly.. I'm sure you've heard of it
Later, three prototypes of the VB were built by Folland: this is, obviously the kit here. Again, these never went into massed production due to the advent of the MkIX. However, these three aircraft did see some action in the Dsesert/Mid East theatre before being recalled for training purposes.
An additional note: the MkIX was converted to a floatplane with a view to the Pacific: trials revealed that adding floats did very little to impair the speed or manouevrability of the Spitfire and it was, in fact, the fastest Floatplane of the war! The Spit's Schneider Cup origins showing through! Of course, the atomic strike on Japan (plus the reliance on Carrier-Borne aircraft by the Allies) meant that this never went into production either.

I'm headed down the whiffery route for two reasons:
1) There's two more of these being built in this GB (and David has something planned too!)
2) The PM Decals are shockingly poor on this kit..

So I have a cunning plan.. but yer going to have to wait!

Sprues etc to follow

[JohnRatzenberger]

Cunning plans require a drum roll .......................

[mightymikeD]

Cunning plans require a drum roll .......................

Or just Baldrick

[mightymikeD]

Okay, here's the victim..




"Whaat's in the box, Jaahn?"








Some styrene, mate..

[Dirkpitt289]

From what I hear about this kit and most PM kits is that you should take a picture of yourself. You're the true victim here.

[mightymikeD]

Heh..

Don't know about this one but of the three PM Kits I've built thus far I'd say

Sea Fury FB11: Good, but basic
Beechcraft Kansan: OK, but basic
Fokker DVXII: Horrible and basic

you gets what you pays for... so no harm, no foul.

PM decals.. that's a whole 'nother story

[Dirkpitt289]

Its all part of the build challenge. What fun would it be if every kit built up exactly the same

[mightymikeD]

Its all part of the build challenge. What fun would it be if every kit built up exactly the same

Speaking as a veteran of a whole bunch of Eastern European/Russian short-run kits..

I say, Right On, Brother!

[mightymikeD]

Right.. so,
The "Whiffery" part of this is going to suggest that the VB Float version went into production.. and the USAF ended up with some of them..

This is going to be a Bare-Metal, US marked Spit... maybe I'll even do Invasion Stripes

[Old_Tonto]

Right.. so,
The "Whiffery" part of this is going to suggest that the VB Float version went into production.. and the USAF ended up with some of them..

This is going to be a Bare-Metal, US marked Spit... maybe I'll even do Invasion Stripes

Sounds good. Looking forward to seeing this one done.

[mightymikeD]

Here's some floats..



yes, they need filling on the seam lines. But not too much.. fuselage fit is really nice too.. think I may have a "Good" PM kit in my greasy mitts

[mightymikeD]

think I may have a "Good" PM kit in my greasy mitts

..and then he tried to fit the wings.. ye gods!

Barry has outlined the neccesary remedial work in his own build thread. Wings now on and the third application of filler is drying. Pics later

[Gregers]

Looking forward to this beastie. Nice whiffery idea.

All the best.

Greg

[mightymikeD]

It's done..

The kit, as has been mentioned elsewhere, is a bit of a pig.. so mentally filed under "Bad" PM Kits for future reference. Didn't finish up too badly, in the end..



Decals snaffled from the Hobby Boss and Airfix Aereoco Aircac Hairyc Airacobras..







My experiment with PM will definitely continue, bum kit or no.. so thanks, David & Everyobody.