Hasegawa 1/48 Spitfire Mk. Vb built as a Seafire Ib

[jonbius]

Hi everyone!

This is a "sort of" conversion of a Spitfire Mk. Vb to a Seafire Ib. I scribed in the arrestor hook area, cut out a notch and added a tail hook, and added the sling points. I did not add the wing stiffners, as I was simply ready to move on to the painting, which is why I love the FAA birds- those colors are so cool to me.

Cockpit is a True Details resin cockpit. I normally don't do resin, but I had it, and the process wasn't too distasteful.

Colors are Xtracrylix for the camo. Not a bad kit, with good fit.

[No.1]

You become expert for Spitfires Nice work 

[Sall]

I like it! Good job!

[Second Air Force]

Very nice, and I agree about the Fleet Air Arm color schemes!

[draken35]

Splendid!!! The FAA is effectively a good source of inspiration for model making

[No.1]

Splendid!!! The FAA is effectively a good source of inspiration for model making

You will have double chance in January 2012

[draken35]

Splendid!!! The FAA is effectively a good source of inspiration for model making

You will have double chance in January 2012

Sure mate, and I'm impatient for that!!!

[ta152c]

Nicely done and restrained colour. Very nice. Is there a picture of the underside? I'd like to see your interpretation of the arrestor hook, if thats possible?

[jonbius]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

As to the tail-hook, it's not much to see really. I mainly wanted the tailhook to peek out from the side view, and wasn't too concerned about it looking accurate underneath. (My pet theory is "who looks at the bottom of a model?" ). I took measurements from the Special Hobby Seafire III using my handy-dandy scale ruler left over from drafting class in '82 and '83. The forward portion of it should have a little "bump" in it, but I just scribed it straight. As you can see, I'm not good at scribing straight lines, so curves are not going to happen.

I took the measurements, drew it out on paper, and used the paper to make a template of three layers of Tamiya tape. I then applied it to the model and scribed. Worked OK. Then I drilled out some holes, and used my xacto and a file to make the hole. The tail hook is simply a piece of melted and bent sprue, sanded to a very rough "beak". Anyway.... it's not pretty, nor particularly accurate, but it was a fun little diversion.

[ta152c]

Thanks, the pictures are very useful, as I have the Airfix 1:48 Seafire III which I'd like to do as a IB too. I have only taped the parts together, so it's nice to see a similar kit made up. The biggest problem is finding codes and serial numbers for the IB

Great work, and well-executed camouflage. I hope Airfix release a Seafire XV in 1:48 now! And a Spitfire 21 in the same scale. A PR.XI would be nice as well.

[jonbius]

You can actually make a Seafire XV by combining the Airfix Mk. XII fuselage with the Seafire XVII wings.

I agree on the 21 and XI! Love to see those kitted. In fact, if Airfix would just add a few parts to their existing Mk. IX kit, they could get an XI from that.

[ta152c]

I'm using the XVII folding wings on my Airfix Seafire III I think Airfix should concentrate on 1:48 British classics -they should update their Hurricane I and do the II and IV, they'd sell well. I'm surprised they haven't done the PR.XIX in 1:48 yet

[jonbius]

I agree completely. If they did some more Spits, and the Hurricanes you mentioned in 1/48, that would be great. And something odd, like a Barracuda.

[ta152c]

Imagine them doing a 1:48 Spitfire floatplane as well. Now that would be spectacular. I think they'll do a Scimitar next though, the Sea Vixen has sold very well. 1:48 is really a growth industry, although I like 1:72. The recent Eduard 1:48 stuff is really setting the standard, their MiG-21 is superb, as is the Fw190.

[Sall]