Magua87 Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I recently bought some Xtradecals for my Academy 1/72 Spitfire XIV. I've bought another XIV, a Fujimi kit, but I've still got enough decals for two more kits. I'd like to build one of the XVIII aircraft on the sheet, but a quick google shows that I don't have many options (and ever fewer at my end of the world). Two questions. Which kit builds the best XVIII in 1/72 scale? Secondly, can the Fujimi XIV be easily turned into an XVIII? According to Wiki the XVIII was "was identical in most respects including engine". Did the "revised, stronger wing structure" look any different externally? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire_%28Griffon-powered_variants%29#Mk_XVIII_.28Mk_18.29_.28type_394.29 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 (edited) It had only the "E" configuration, but had an extra "compartment" outboard, designed for survival equipment like water, etc. Edited November 27, 2014 by Edgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 There are a few external differences between a low back XIV and a XVIII, the most visible of which is the larger rudder. Then there are a few differences in the panel lines on the wing (the XVIII had the E armament from the start so no panel line for the C armament) and the lower fuselage landing light is moved farther back. There are then the camera openings. Apart from the rudder, all of the above can be easily introduced in the Fujimi Mk.XIV low back kit. Alternatively, AZ does a complete kit of the XVIII. This is a short run kit but not too hard to build really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Freightdog do a Mk. XVIII tail unit for the Fujimi kit. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 The freightdog XVIII tail unit is top notch! The only significant difference is the larger rudder (many Spitfire XIV's had the canera ports anyway). Thouh I never realised that the XVIII had no C wing panels Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 (edited) More specifically, it was the Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe that had the camera positions, and were all(?) teardrop canopy and clipped wing, so they look rather like the Mk.XVIII but for the fin/rudder and wingtips. Edited November 27, 2014 by Graham Boak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Good afternoon I hope Airfix will produce a Mk XIV with the provision for a MK XVIII ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Hope away, but with AZ and Ventura (now Jays?) specific kits available, and it being an easy conversion from a late Mk.XIV with available aftermarket, it isn't needed. Yes, I know these kits don't make any money for Airfix, but that's Airfix's problem not the modellers'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Hope away, but with AZ and Ventura (now Jays?) specific kits available, and it being an easy conversion from a late Mk.XIV with available aftermarket, it isn't needed. Yes, I know these kits don't make any money for Airfix, but that's Airfix's problem not the modellers'. Hi Graham Time will tell my friend .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Low-back XIV with big rudder option in 1/48... though I'd take it in 1/24th! bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magua87 Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 Thanks all for the info. I'll look for a Fujimi kit and will mod with the Freightdog conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brown Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I cheated and didn't bother with the tail conversion for the Fujimi: Looked ok to me. Rick. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I cheated and didn't bother with the tail conversion for the Fujimi: Looked ok to me. Rick. Good afternoon Rick Look very nice to me good job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Von Battenberg Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 In "Spitfire - The History" it shows a diagram of twin vertical fuselage cameras in the FRXVIII like the PR models. I've not been able to find a photo that will prove or disprove this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 The freightdog XVIII tail unit is top notch! The only significant difference is the larger rudder (many Spitfire XIV's had the canera ports anyway). Thouh I never realised that the XVIII had no C wing panels Ben That makes two of us with regards to the wing panels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 I've not seen evidence of the twin vertical (stereo pair) cameras in a Mk.XIV, but the same installation was used by the SAAF on their Merlin FR Spitfires in Italy, so I suspect it is a standard fit, internally at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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