Spitfire LF-XVI "high back" - **FINISHED**

[DazDaMan]

Fingers crossed I can fit this one in before the end of the GB....!

For speed, I've chosen an old friend:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this is a nice, simple 1/48th kit that even a novice can make into a presentable aircraft. Yeah, it has its faults, but it does look nice when completed.

The subject will be this one:


TB863 saw service towards the end of the Second World War, and beyond, and ended up being restored to fly in the 1980s. She is currently located at the Temora Aviation Museum in Australia.

The build will be strictly OOB, with spare decals used for the squadron codes and serial numbers.

[splash]

I have not seen this kit, but it sounds good.

[DazDaMan]

I've built quite a few, Splash, and they are nice. A bit basic but, if you really wanted to go to town on it, you could. It's a bit like the new-tool 1/72 Airfix Mk.IX in that respect.

I've certainly had fun building them in the past! Here's one I did as an aircraft used in the filming of the 1988 TV series Piece of Cake:

[DazDaMan]

Now that the Spitfire XII is finished, I'll be looking to start this one tonight!

[DazDaMan]

Well, I did manage to make a start on this Spit this evening!

Here are the bits:


The first thing I decided to do was work on the wings. I had to remove the C-wing cannon ammunition blisters in order to turn them into E-wing blisters.

I originally thought I would use the spare blisters from the Ocidental Spit XVI, suitably modified, on this one, but trying to cut through those wings was a bit of a nightmare. In short, I didn't get through them!

I ended up sanding off the original blisters, then trimmed down the Ocidental ones to the right shape and fit before gluing them on.



I hope they look OK!

I then started painting the interior of the fuselage - not sure that this colour (patina green) looks right compared to the stuff I usually use (fern green).


That's all for tonight. I should be able to get some more done tomorrow.

[DazDaMan]

I decided to repaint the interior to the fern green colour. To me, it looks a bit closer than the patina stuff!

[MarkyM607]

Yes, I didn't think the green looked quite right!. Then again what do I know!?!?

[DazDaMan]

It looked right on the lid, but it came out looking like that. Oh well, lesson learned!

[DazDaMan]

Oh, I've also fitted the cannon and the .50cal Browning barrels to each wing and left them to dry overnight.

The rest of the build should be plain sailing!

[DazDaMan]

Will re-commence work on this one tonight.

[DazDaMan]

Cockpit bits assembled and installed....




I took a tip from, I think, Purplethistle, and had a go at making some seat straps from masking tape. I hope it looks vaguely convincing!!

[DazDaMan]

Wings and fuselage joined....

[DazDaMan]

The Spitfire is now on its gear....!

[MarkyM607]

Looking good so far, seat belts look okay to me. Look like they are ready to be put in and secured!.

[iggie]

Looking good Daz and I agree with Mark that the seat belts look fine