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Despite my rather dismal record at completing GBs (played 2, finished 0 ), I couldn't resist having a go at this one, especially as it is now slightly warmer outside meaning I can spend a bit more time in my workshop without freezing to death. This will be the Novo version of the Frog Spitfire Mk XIV - pics below. The horrible kit canopy sprue, and a view of the strange fuselage shape aft of the wing (oh, and I've just noticed one of several sink marks which will need attention): Not sure what happened to the original Novo decals but luckily I have a couple of spare sets of the Frog originals that I obtained years ago as part of a job lot from numerous different Frog kits. I first made the Frog version nearly 40 years ago, and at that time I refined the weird shape aft of the wing/fuselage join, and replaced the canopy - I think I even replaced the undercarriage. I was actually quite pleased with it at the time - and it has survived reasonably well: However, I didn't correct the wing (ailerons) or add the gull wing contours. And I rather enjoyed watching @AdrianMF produce his pair and promised myself that I'd have a go again myself. So - this one will be finished as AP-D; I will correct the wing and add the gull wing effect, either by resorting to a SIHRC file beloved of @perdu as I did with my two Pegasus Mk 22s, or try a different approach of replacing the Novo flat as a pancake flat bit with a resin copy of the appropriate area of a more correct model. Whilst replacing bits, I shall also try and replace the cowling and carburettor intake... oh, and the underwing radiators.. AND find a suitable replacement canopy from the spares box*. If I'm feeling keen, I shall also rub down the raised panel lines and rescribe them. I haven't yet decided whether to display this one in flight chasing the V1 or with undercart down. Of course, if I DO use the V1 I am painfully aware that the V1 model is inaccurate and will need correcting... now where I did I see that article...? 🤔 In an ideal world, not only will this build restore my modelling mojo enough to finish off the two Mk 22s which have languished on the SoD since last August, but maybe (MAYBE) if I finish this in good time I could even dig another Frog kit out of the stash - there's loads in there... Nige *Thinking about it, I've got the Falcon set of Spitfire vacformed canopies, so I'm considering using one of those for my Fujimi Mk XIV and then see if the Fujimi one fits the Novo kit...

With my other build rapidly coming to a finish and still plenty of time in the STGB, barring some disaster, I decided to do another build. This time the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk XIV in RAAF 451 squadron markings. I have found the two Australian squadrons 451 and 453 quite interesting. Both remained in the European Theatre as part of the Occupying Forces. Hence, my topic title "After Journey's End", alluding to a period after war's end and the VE-VJ Group Build that is just about to commence. The Mk XIV came into service with 451 and 453 at the end of 1945 with both squadrons deployed in Germany. It is always tempting to build 453 squadron with the Fox Uncle squadron code (or Freddie Uncle or Foxtrot Uniform depending on the era) and the photographer always made sure he got a photo of K for King (port fuselage). I have built a 453 squadron subject previously, D-Day Mk IX FU-N, and having the Xtradecal sheet for the Mk XIV with 451's NI-K NH895 decals made my decision easy to select this subject as the next build. As mentioned I am using the latest Airfix 1/48 boxing plus a little PE (IP and belts) and resin (wheels and exhausts). These are the chosen markings - very standard. Inspecting the sprues we find no disasters with the exception of a short shot or break off in the mould of one prop tip that I will have to repair or hunt for an appropriate aftermarket solution. Should be fun … Ray

Now that the epic struggle with CASA conversions is done, I've decided to get back to work on a project that had been shelved to allow the CASA projects to be finished first. We join the WIP already in progress, with a review of work already completed. Somewhat obliquely related to my 'BoB Movie Stars' series, is this attempt to build Spitfire Mk XIV, G-ALGT which will be finished in the gorgeous white and turquoise scheme she wore just before filming 'The Battle of Britain' began. I chose to base the model on Hasegawa's Mk IX/VIII for a couple of reasons. I wanted there to be a definite relationship between differing marks, so the small details and nuances needed to match. Any differences between the models would be those of the version and not the style of the kit. The Hasegawa Spitfire Mk IX has been said to be 'fatally flawed'. Although there are some dimensional issues in the length of the fuselage that compound when measured from the spinner back, when the wing roots are used as a starting point, the shape and dimensions become pretty close to published references. Although the depth of the fuselage is a bit thin, I find it looks better than the portly appearance of the Academy Mk XIV that I used to supply the Griffon engine and enlarged tail for the conversion. Perhaps most important of all, since the majority of the Spitfires in my stash (except for a couple of the superlative Airfix Mk 22/24) are Hasegawa kits, that is where I began. Not sure if this is going to work or how it will look, but here we go! A couple of boxes of parts that should become two Mk XIVs One, an Academy, will be a OOB build for my oft mentioned Project Instigator Friend. Where to cut the engine cowls is not a simple swap, as the Griffon powered Spits have a different firewall than the Merlin powered versions so some filling will be necessary. My chosen cut lines are shown here. For the tails I tried to follow prototypical panel lines The replacement components and removed sections. Note the Academy cowling needed a wedge cut from it to correct the too deep profile. A comparison of the Academy Mk XIV (top) and the Hasegawa with conversion parts (bottom). Fuselage components ready for assembly When the Academy (left) and Hasegawa (right) are lined up so the wing roots and aft cockpit bulkheads are lined up, the front of the engine cowls are almost perfectly alined. In the second photo it can be seen the rudder post lines depicted by the pencil line on the inside of the Academy fuselage is very close to where the Hasegawa's is. A number of fellow modellers offered well written and well intended advice on the unsuitability of using the Academy cowling as part of the conversion. As the above pictures show, I stubbornly continued on with my original plan. After much trimming, shaping, blending and sanding I can confirm those opinions were indeed correct. Please hold the 'I told you so..'s' until I have forgotten how much time I put into this part of the build. So...I dug into the stash and sacrificed one of my prized Airfix Spitfire Mk 22/24's and replaced swollen Academy proboscis with the fine subtle curves of the Airfix cowling. A much better representation can be seen already. Now for the 'new' stuff : The Mk XIVs had much deeper radiators than the MkIXs. In order to use the larger Griffon Airfix Mk22/24 radiators, the base of the Hasegawa radiators needed to be cut off and attached to the bottom of the Airfix as the two companies use different mountings. The Hasegawa radiators have finer detail, strip styrene shims were used to fit them into the Airfix radiator housings. The radiators were painted aluminum and given a wash to bring out the detail, the inside of the housings were painted white and glued into place. From the pics I see I have a bit more to do! G-ALGT did not have the wheel-well bulges, these were removed by filing and filling. Although the cannon fairings were removed, the ammunition bay doors retained their bulges. The grafted Academy tail after priming, elevators and rudder. That's all for now,