Mike Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Supermarine Type 224 1:48 Heritage Aviation Models Ltd The Supermarine Type 224 was a response to the Air Ministry specification F7/30 to provide the RAF with a new generation of fighter aircraft that would allow them to compete with the emerging foreign designs. The specification was laughable compared to the feat achieved by the later Spitfire, but the 224, designed by the famous R J Mitchell was ready within a relatively short time of receipt of the request. The results were somewhat lacklustre, and the Air Ministry chose Gloster's Gladiator instead. That didn't deter Mitchell, who went on to re-work the design outwith the remit provided by the Air Ministry until he was happy with it. This resulted in K5054, the prototype for the Spitfire (the name originally reserved for the 224), for which the Air Ministry had written a specific specification. The Type 224 continued to fly for a while to aid testing on the new version, but suffered some fairly serious engine problems and eventually ended its days on a firing range in Suffolk in 1937. The Heritage kit is a full resin affair, and arrives in Heritage's familiar white cardboard box with a label on the front showing a 224 in a state of undress. Inside is a sectioned heat-sealed bag containing only 14 parts, but don't let that put you off. The wing is a huge slab of resin with the landing gear spats built in, as well as the wheels - it's quite surprising how large a span it has compared to the diminutive Spitfire. It is a lovely piece of resin engineering and is covered in finely recessed panel lines and superb detail, including very fine lines on the leading edge perpendicular to the line of flight. These may need a little deepening here and there, but that work should be minimal. The fuselage is provided in two halves, which are solid pieces with the cockpit area cut out and finely detailed with stringer detail, throttle quadrants and trim wheels. Into this area fit the seat, which is very fine and almost scale thickness, having harness detail moulded in. The instrument panel has instrument faces moulded in, and the rudder bar has separate stirrups for the pilot's feet. The control column is a complex affair, with a large circular(ish) grip and two paddle switches in the middle. Again, these are very finely cast. A hump behind the pilot's seat is a separate part to be added once the fuselage is closed up, and the tail is made up from two parts. The elevators are in one piece, and includes the top of the fuselage above them, so they can be dropped straight in. A little filling might be needed here, which would be best done before the rudder is installed on top, to ease the task. A small resin tail skid is supplied for the rear, which could be a little delicate, given the weight of the solid fuselage. The final part is a large two bladed propeller, which is again cast in one piece with a very nice aerofoil section, and hub detail. The casting block is cleverly attached and very thin pour stubs join the rear of the prop to ensure good casting. This can almost be brushed away with your finger leaving very little cleanup. The small windscreen in front of the cockpit is built up from a slip of clear acetate sheet that is provided, although a template isn't provided with the kit instructions. Decals are provided for the one prototype K2890, with a full set of codes and roundels. The modeller will need to paint the rudder red/white/blue though, so some careful matching of colours will be needed here. The sheet isn't noted as being printed by Fantasy Printshop, but it looks like their handiwork, with good colour register, separate red centres for the roundels, and thin carrier film. If you are planning on painting it as a what if, you will probably need to back the roundels with white paint or decal film, so that the colour doesn't show through. Conclusion This is a truly lovely looking kit of this forgotten ancestor to the famous Spitfire, and the kit really does it justice. The casting is excellent, without a bubble in sight, and the pour stubs are minimal and should clean up easily in a few minutes, allowing you to get on with the fun of building. I think I will hollow out the fuselage with my Dremel on my example, to reduce the weight and potential slip on joining of the fuselage. Other than that, it's a tremendous little kit, and will look great parked next to a Mk.I Spitfire as a contrast. The usual caveats of resin kits apply, and you will have to use Super Glue (CA) and epoxy glue to attach the component. Beware of inhaling the sanding dust too, as it can be harmful, just like any fine particles. Finally, ensure that the surfaces are cleaned well before applying paint to avoid chipping of any masking. I would recommend a good rub down with a grease removal solution such as IPA or similar. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of Ian at 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moofles Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Great review and a beautiful looking kit. Never knew how big the wing was, large beastie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 Yeah, dunno what that'd do for the roll-rate though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basosz Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 That is rather cool. Never even heard about this plane. Did the bend in the wing come from the Ju-87 or the other way around? It looks very similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I do like th look of this, I think I need one for the very beginning of my Spitfire collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I was sold when I saw the masters and this is now a "Must Have". I'll grab one at Telford. BTW, are there any 72nd ones left? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 That is rather cool. Never even heard about this plane. Did the bend in the wing come from the Ju-87 or the other way around? It looks very similar. The kink was supposed to reduce the height of the spatted landing gear, and therefore reduce the drag. Who kinked first is anyone's guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian @ KitsforCash Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I was sold when I saw the masters and this is now a "Must Have". I'll grab one at Telford.BTW, are there any 72nd ones left? they're both in stock.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Cheers, Ian. I'll nab one at Telford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basosz Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 The kink was supposed to reduce the height of the spatted landing gear, and therefore reduce the drag. Who kinked first is anyone's guess Thank you It never gets old to learn new stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PilotOfficer Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 The build looks to be progressing nicely, does anyone know what the 1:72 kit is like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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