A Pair of Peeping PRs **Finished**

[MDT]

I'm getting started today with 2 x 1/72 Airfix PR.XIXs -

The first will be the Swedish Airforce option from the standard boxing -

The second subject will be the BBMFs very own PS915 from the Airfix Fighter Collection set-

[Old_Tonto]

Great choice mate. The mk XIX is my favorite Griffon Spitfire. Lovely clean lines.

[MDT]

Cheers OT! Majority of the cockpit parts are now painted -


Most parts largely painted with good old Hu.78


The seats though, I made my own red/leather brown mix for the seat cover and aluminium frames -

You may notice three seats...this is due to my decision to start the other BBMF Mk.XIX PM631 too for a triple build. I will leave progress for the this outside the GB however as this will be in the D-Day striped scheme and therfore outside the post-war scheme rules.

[lancfan]

Looking forward to this one as I would like to see the fighter set re introduced (with an added mk 16) to complete the BBMF kits in the new catalogue.

David.

[MDT]

Looking forward to this one as I would like to see the fighter set re introduced (with an added mk 16) to complete the BBMF kits in the new catalogue.
David.

Its certainly an interesting set - This was a decent of charity shop find I paid a tenner for. Unfortuately the Mk.LFIXe (KP kit?)had been built as was the Mk.V, both rather badly.
On the plus side the two Mk.XIXs were sealed along with the Hurricane, which was the old but very decent Heller Mk.IIc. The decals hadn't been used so I can complete the set anyway from other sources.
I've already built the Hurricane (one of my favourite WWII fighters) -

I have to admit its probably also one of my favourite 1/72 kits of all time, having built a couple when I was younger. Heller nailed the Hurricane shape and it goes together very nicely.
A new version of this set with a Spit Mk.XVI would be very welcome. However I'm not sure how likley this is now Airfix and Heller are separated and I maybe wrong (and please correct me!) isn't the Heller Mk.XVI the only game in town for that mark?

[lancfan]

There is/was another mkXVIe MDT but I cannot remember who makes/made it, however Airfix themselves could made a new tool of their own based on the mk IX kit so we never know- fingers crossed.

David.

[splash]

Matchbox made a Mk XVI/IX that came with the high and low backs.

Regards Splash

[lancfan]

True and I had forgotten about that one but the MB kit was dire and is not the one I was thinking about.
The kit I was thinking of was the AZ Models kit.

David.

[MDT]

True and I had forgotten about that one but the MB kit was dire and is not the one I was thinking about.
The kit I was thinking of was the AZ Models kit.

David.

Think I've got MB Spitfire with XVI decals but I have to admit its not one of thier best and not really counted it!

Had a bit of progress today mostly working on the cockpit area -


I decided to drill this holes in part 11 (the seat frame/bulkhead) so the floor fitted properly. This is critical for the whole fit of the cockpit (ask me how I know! ). I then fitted the seat to part 11-

Which it did...

At this point I would advise to ignore the Airfix instuctions as the the floor section to IP section is very awkward to fit...just fit the IP into the fuselage. Just make sure the part is cleaned up well and fits properly.

Then I carfully fitted the seat/bulkhead and floor section. I used small amounts of tube glue as this gave a bit of time to line everything up. Once I was happy I carfully reinforced everything with a bit of superglue on a cocktail stick.


Last bit of work done were the props -

[Stuart]

Nice work!

[Sissel]

This is a great start, waiting for more

[MDT]

Thanks guys - a little more progress...


Going to have to do a bit of a repair on the rudder due to poor placement of sprue gates (why attach it to the weakest place!?)

The wheels on the Swedish PR are partly painted -

Now to have fun with lots of sanding and filing!

[jssel]

Good progress. had the same thing happen to my rudder piece. What a pain.

[MDT]

I'm hoping a spot of super-glue will sort that annoying rudder!
Another dilemma of sorts was the Swedish AF spinner. Airfix would have you paint it mostly red and the small section in line with the props in PRU Blue. However, most references (the few available) of swedish PR.XIXs show a white break between the colours appoximately halfway down the spinner. Going down this route I intially painted the PRU Blue and red sections and tried a small thin white decal. The problem is the contour of the spinner is a tight circle and nothing I could find would comply to this.
This how I've left it, with my attempt at a nerve-racking hand painted effort...


Not sure I'm happy with this but I'm not sure where to go next.

[Stuart]

They are looking really good!