Canadian Racing Spitfire Mk XIVe - 1:72 Thunderbird Models

[Paul A H]

Canadian Racing Spitfire Mk XIVe

1:72 Thunderbird Models

The Supermarine Spitfire is one of only a handful of aircraft that requires no introduction to anyone with even a passing interest in aviation. By the time the Griffon powered Mk.XIV appeared, it had evolved almost beyond recognition from the earlier marks, being heavier, faster and better armed. A number of Griffon powered Spitfires were acquired for use in air races after the conclusion of the war.

This decal set marks the second release by Andy Banister's Thunderbird Models. As was the case with their first release, 'Supermarine Stranraer Pt.1 Queen Charlotte Airlines', these decals were previously released under the Whiskey Jack name. Now Thunderbird Models have acquired the rights to that range and have had the sheets reprinted. This set includes decals for one aircraft at two different times during its life. The aircraft in question, Spitfire XIVe TZ138, was purchased by former Dambusters pilot Ken Brown and Flight Lieutenant J. H. MacArthur of the RCAF and re-registered CF-GMZ. It was flown in the 1949 Tinnerman Trophy race in Cleveland, Ohio, placing a respectable third overall. The first scheme depicts the aircraft in 1946, whilst on cold weather trails at Fort Nelson, whilst the second shows the aircraft at the time of the race, stripped down to bare metal with a red fuselage stripe. Printing itself is handled by Fantasy Printshop, and as with other decals from that stable, they appear to be of excellent quality. Colours are nice and bold and the printing itself is pin-sharp. The decals are accompanied by comprehensive instructions which include colour diagrams and historical notes.

Conclusion

This sheet is nicely printed, with crisp, clear details and bold colours. The only downside is the absence of roundels and fin flashes for the camouflaged machine, but these should be easy to source if they were not already provided with your chosen kit. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Barneydhc82]

I'm presently building "Race 80" using the 1:48 Academy kit. Just a bit of history on TZ138: While enroute from Edmonton to Churchill for cold weather tests, the pilot became concerned with the rapidly deteriorating weather and low on fuel attempted to land at The Pas, Manitoba.

The runways were snow covered and instead of plowing them, the surface was rolled using at D8 Cat and heavy triple roller. TZ138 landed only to have the high pressure tires break through the snow crust , ending up on its nose and destroying the prop.

Technicians and spares were flown in but how to fly it out without destroying another prop? Fit it with skis! A tech found Tiger Moth skis behind the hangar, removed the pedestal and built a box to fit the Spitfire tires. The scheme worked and on lift off the skis departed the wheels and were last seen doing about 120 mph across the lake.

TZ138 was the first foreign aircraft to be allowed to race at Cleveland and after a very strange series of misadventures it ended up in the Aerospace Museum in San Diego where I photographed my son ,14 at the time, standing in front of it. The aircraft is now being ready for flight at Vancouver, BC, Canada where I again photographed it while it was in a hangar with every panel removed.

Barney

[Paul J]

I have done this one to 1/72nd when the decals were originally Whiskey Jack. Its good to see them available again as I would like to give it another,better go!

Very interesting story Barney. I think I had read about this somewhere but wasn't as detailed.