Yankymodeler Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) I've long admired the glorious turquoise and white scheme that adorned Rolls Royces Mk XIV Spitfire in the mid to late 1060s just before G-ALGT played a supporting role in the epic film the Battle of Britain. A challenging build with a number of self-imposed setbacks, it is with no small measure of relief that GT joins the rest of movie stars in display cabinet!Im not sure if this model is best described as a kitbash or a conversion; it consists of Hasegawa Mk IX wings, horizontal tail surfaces and a modified fuselage. The Hasegawa fuselage was modified by removing the Merlin and grafting on an Airfix Mk 22/24 Griffin nose and an Academy Mk XIV vertical tail and rudder. I chose to base the model on Hasegawa's Mk IX/VIII for a couple of reasons. The companion BoB movie star Mk IX is a Hasegawa and I wanted there to be a definite relationship between differing marks. Using the same kit as the base insured the small details and nuances would match. Any differences between the models would not be due to differences in the kits, and would represent the development of the real aircraft. WIP here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234922144-spitfire-mk-xiv-g-algt-148-conversion-return-from-the-shelf-of-doom/ Other changes to make a Mk XIV from a Mk IX include, larger radiators, larger wheel with different tyre. A bit of trivia: these tyres were sourced from Buccaneer /Sea Vixen nose wheels when Spitfire specific replacements became scarce. (Note my use of tyre vs tire as a nod to subject ancestry in spite of my yanky origin)G-ALGT also had the tailwheel locked down, the doors notched to fit around the extended strut, closed and deactivated. These are all documented in the work in progress posting here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234922144-spitfire-mk-xiv-g-algt-148-conversion-return-from-the-shelf-of-doom/Just a hint of weathering as befitting an active aircraft.G-ALGT alongside her cousin, Spitfire Mk IX, MH415 already in costume. This allows a comparison between the two marks.I hope you can pardon my indulgence in a few pics in a more natural type of setting.Thank you to all for your support and help with research and information during this build!Eric aka The YankymodelerA short history of G-ALGTBuilt in 1944 as a Spitfire F.XIV, construction number 6S/432263 was given the RAF serial RM689 and entered service with 39 MU on 3rd July 1944. Participating in Air Fighting Development Unit trials in the fall of 1944, RM689 apparently suffered some damage as she was repaired on site in September 1944. Turned over to the 83 Group Service Unit in February of 1945, RM689 was then assigned service with 350 Sqn and 443 Sqn, being transferred to the Ministry of Supply on 9th February 1949. Rolls-Royce then purchased the Spitfire and received the registration G-ALGT. Based at Hucknall, GT was used for many years for Griffin engine development work and a chase/communications aircraft.In 1967 GT joined the cast filming the move the Battle of Britain, trading her colorful civilian dress for a drab wartime costume. Replacing the original short wingtip fairings with standard length tips helped her play the supporting role of an earlier mark in the summer of 1940. After filming was complete, she retained the standard tips and flew for many years marked as RM619.Tragedy occurred June 27, 1992, at the Woodford airshow when pilot David Moore was killed when unable to recover from a loop began at too low an altitude. The wreckage was stored for a number of years and a restoration project was begun in 2002. Quite some progress had been made but the project was halted in 2010. Edited May 10, 2014 by Yankymodeler 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Beautiful Spitfire excellently made. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 I followed the whole process of this build and I can only congratulate you for this beauty. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 That's a real beauty! Superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 superb work looks great very nice work and very nice scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mekon Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Beautiful, great build and finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete610 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 She's a beaut - well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 What a stunner. Thats a beautiful paint job and finish. Cheers Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Kelley Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 An interesting scheme beautifully reproduced. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter W Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Stunning looking Spitfire and a great testament to your determination to finish it regardless of the obstacles along the way. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnylurve Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 That is what modelling is all about! Beautiful in every way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy wood Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Just read your WIP. For such a beautiful finish, you had your hurdles didn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foghorn Leghorn Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 That's the most beautiful scheme I've ever seen for a Spit. Fantastic model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Great tribute to GT! Let's hope it gets restored in the coming years. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 This was one of my favourite Wips, nice to see her finished at last. Lovely build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 That is real mans modelling. I love what you have done sourcing all the parts to bring together to make this. Beautiful job, beautiful paintwork and a beautiful Spitfire. I really like those colours on it. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Indulgence most definitely pardoned - simply superb. Although there are those who would have me shot at dawn for saying this, I'd be very happy to see the occasional warbird flying in civilian colours. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Top class build. The scheme makes it seem totally different. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Sheer elegance – a model to be justifiable proud of! Kind regards, Joachim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankymodeler Posted May 4, 2014 Author Share Posted May 4, 2014 Thanks very much for the kind comments and taking the time to post! GT did fight all the way but is one of my most satisfying builds, I've long wanted a model of GT in this scheme and finally got up the courage to attempt it. I'm happy to report it looks great with the rest of the BoB stars in the display case, perhaps I'll get some pics of the cast all together. After I get the epic Intruder/Prowler/Growler build done, I plan on continuing with a series of movie stars/ civilian warbirds models. Eric aka The Yankymodeler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 This peeps,is what BM is all about. Much input from quite a few people(self included)to give Our Ekka the impetus to "go for the car"and give us all the reward of seeing his model come to life. Very,very,very well done mate,a fine tribute to Golf Tango,Dave Moore and all the BM'ers that gave you the info,pictures and advice to do her. :clap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Oooooh! Don't she look tasty with that big six blade prop? Fantastic finish, congratulations and thanks for sharing your pics. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Oooooh! Don't she look tasty with that big six blade prop? Fantastic finish, congratulations and thanks for sharing your pics. Colin I hope he hasn't put a six blade prop on it Col,he's ruined it if he has :lol: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankymodeler Posted May 4, 2014 Author Share Posted May 4, 2014 Not to worry, I am usually able to count as high as the fingers on one hand! I am not fully satisfied with the prop though, as can be seen by my not finishing the markings on the blades. I think the AIrfix prop is a bit too skinny and has a strange twist. I may try and build up a more accurate one from some blades I have in the stash. It's a simple aluminum tube slip in replacement so GT will reside safely in the display case until the new prop is ready! Miggers you're absolutely correct, and I wish to thank once again all who contributed information and support. We have a great community here! Eric aka The Yankymodeler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I hope he hasn't put a six blade prop on it Col,he's ruined it if he has :lol: :lol: Oooooops, I had a bottle of wine with lunch, and knew there weren't ten blades, so I took a stab. Aplogies. It's still a fine model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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