Daz has Reached for the Sky, and **FINISHED!!**

[DazDaMan]

Inspired by Lancfan's cracking wee Heller Spit build, I'm going to do another one.

My victim will be the same kit:


I alluded to the idea of doing Bader's Spitfire from the film Reach for the Sky in my other thread, in the scene where he collides with a Bf109:







Having looked at Lancfan's Spit again, I thought "why the hell not?" and decided to add this wee one to the build.

I know the main shots show a model, but the cockpit shot clearly shows a low-back Mk.XVI wearing Bader's initials. Whichever aircraft that was in reality, I doubt we'll ever really know!

Shouldn't take me long, with some minor mods to the kit to get it to look like a low-back Mk.VA!

[fredk]

I believe I have a spare low-back insert from a Matchbox kit if you want it.
I'm not sure if I have a spare canopy though. I'll look later.

[DazDaMan]

Thanks for the offer, Fred, but this one doesn't need it.

[DazDaMan]

Well, this is the obligatory Spit bits pic:



I need to dig out a set of wingtips from the spares box still, but that's it for modification.

I'm going to mount this one on a stand, too, so the gear will be raised. Oh, and I need a willing pilot...!

[lancfan]

Whichever aircraft that was in reality, I doubt we'll ever really know!

Assuming you mean the serial of the real mark 16e of the film Daren this is a problem and the reason we both chose the other builds we did, you could use the identity of the original W3185 (who knows the film makers themselves may have done this also).
A TV programme was made following a hunt for Bader's crash site and after digging the two easiest sites of the three that crashed that day only to find the wrong ones they found that the site of the only one left is now under an ornamental lake and was beyond their resources to dig. If that one ever gets dug out for airworthy restoration it will be one very valuable Spitfire when finished.


David.

[DazDaMan]

I have a feeling that Spitfire Survivors Vol.2 **might** have an answer, as I'm sure there is a shot of a Spitfire XVI with Kenneth More in the cockpit. Will have a look.

Failing that, you might be right in just using the original serial.

[DazDaMan]

First off, some photo updates:

Modifying the wings:

As well as removing the cannons, I had to sand off the ammunition bulges in order to make it into an A-wing.

Cannon fittings removed, and wingtips added.

The gaps at the wingtips will be filled with PVA. Incidentally, I used the Matchbox kit's wingtips as these seemed to be the right thickness compared to the others I had.

The bits so far:

[DazDaMan]

Secondly, I had a look in Spitfire Survivors Vol.2, and there was indeed a shot of Kenneth More in the cockpit of a Spitfire. The aircraft is listed as TE288, which was used as a static airframe in the film. What I cannot find is what aircraft was used for cockpit shots for the film. Was it TE288? There is clearly a real aircraft used in the close-ups, but the identity of it I haven't ascertained yet.

Also, while flicking briefly through the Spitfire scenes in the film, there are TWO versions of Bader's initials carried on the Spitfire's fuselage in the bail-out sequence:

1) The correct-style of letters in the correct position (D-B);

2) A smaller, incorrect style shown as DB beneath the cockpit.

Given that the model also shows the correct style, I'll go with this!

[DazDaMan]

Most of the airframe has now been cobbled together. Wings modified. First coat of dark earth has also been applied.

Pics later....

[DazDaMan]

All that's needed to finish building is to fit the canopy, exhausts, and fix up some landing gear.

[jssel]

Like the fuselage stand Daren. Hard to beat the cost I bet.

[DazDaMan]

Cheap and cheerful - usually the best!

[fredk]

Looking well. Coming on fast, as befits a Spitfire.

I'm searching for a magazine I know I have. Its a recent one looking back at the making of this film and there were several photos of the aeroplanes, including, I think, this one.

[DazDaMan]

Is it, by any chance, After The Battle? Someone mentioned it to me over on the Key Publishing Forum, and I've yet to get hold of a copy.

[fredk]

No, I never buy that one. It might be 'Aeroplane' or the other one with a similar title. Last couple of years they've done the aero-films looking at the making of the film and where the aeroplanes are now.