1/48 - Supermarine Spitfire F.R. Mk.XIVe by Airfix - released

[Scooby]

Eduard has all kinds of goodies for this kit, they must have a kit.

[NPL]

2 hours ago, Scooby said:

Eduard has all kinds of goodies for this kit, they must have a kit.

They probably have an agreement with the producers of the kits, as this is certainly not the first case where they have their things ready at the time when a kit is issued. But with a fair selection of these, the price for a model built will surpass the price of the Tamiya Mk.I. I have ordered two of Eduard's sets. There will probably be more to come from other manufacturers. 

[Biggles87]

I'm sure that Roy Sutherland will be working on something, and a Yahu instrument panel would be nice.

[Dave Fleming]

On 4/27/2019 at 12:26 PM, gingerbob said:

Since there was some mention, and I've recently been investigating, there were only about three squadrons' worth of "c-wing" XIVs (initially 610, 91, and 322 in order of equipping).  After a small amount of "offensive operations", they were pulled into the anti-Diver campaign in mid-June.  No. 91 Squadron began to receive XIVes in mid July, and in August some juggling went on that resulted in only two squadrons on XIVcs, but also two on XIVes.  (91 and 322 were now on LF.IXs.)  Another XIVe squadron was added in September, and a direct swap late in the month, with the result of:

XIVc: 610 and 350 (both at Lympne)

XIVe: 41 (also at Lympne)

XIVe: 130, 402 (RCAF) (more or less together in 2TAF on the Continent)

 

These five squadrons continued to be the XIV (fighter) users to VE day, with the exception of 610, which was disbanded in early March in order to feed the others.  All were on the Continent by the end of 1944.  Note that I have not yet figured out whether (or how) 610 and 350 eventually replaced cs with es- the ORBs and individual records get frustratingly vague at times, and more work is needed.  (I suspect that some XIVcs were fitted with 'e' armament, for example if needing enough repair to be sent away from the Squadron.)

 

In November 1944, two other squadrons began to fly Spitfire XIVs: 2 (or No.II(AC)) and 430 (RCAF).  These were in the Army Co-operation / Fighter Reconnaissance role, and were equipped with specially modified high-back XIVes, fitted with an oblique camera.  These were new aircraft, with only one or two exceptions.

 

Total production of all high-back Spitfire XIVs was 500, not counting the VIIIG testbeds.  Of those, I'm guessing [and be aware of that choice of words!] that only about 100-150 were delivered with 'c' armament.

 

Do you have (even rough) serial blocks for the 'c' wings - the early aircraft hung around for a while, 602 had one (RM753) when they reformed which I recon must be a 'c'

[gingerbob]

Hi Dave,

 

Actually I think RM753 went into service as a XIVe, based on the timing with its first squadrons.  I should be able to narrow down the serials, but I haven't fully crunched the data yet.

[Dave Fleming]

9 hours ago, gingerbob said:

Hi Dave,

 

Actually I think RM753 went into service as a XIVe, based on the timing with its first squadrons.  I should be able to narrow down the serials, but I haven't fully crunched the data yet.

 

I need to crunch some numerals as well - I keep hoping a photo turns up as it served with 350 Squadron from August to November 44, , although this one (Probably RM764, served 26/8/44 to 15/9/45) is definitely 'e''

Edited May 2, 2019 by Dave Fleming

[TEMPESTMK5]

Good morning

 A few years ago I had made researches on the subject and with the help of some french Spit fans made a list of F Mk XIV c :

- RB140 : DW.K (610 Sq. – photo Classic Publications – 2nd TAF)
- RB141 : VL.L (322 Sq.)
- RB147 : VL.G (322 Sq. - déco Mk.XIVc "V1 Killer" Fujimi)
- RB150 : DW.A (610 Sq. - photo Osprey & Squadron Signal)
- RB154 : MN.K (350 Sq. - info Profile - déco. Tally Ho!)
- RB155 : MN.C (350 Sq.)
- RB156 : DW.B (610 Sq.)
- RB159 : DW.D (610 Sq. - photo Osprey & Squadron Signal - déco Mk.XIVc "V1 Killer" Fujimi, sans liseré jaune)
- RB160 : VL.A (322 Sq.)
- RB161 : DL.I (610 Sq.)
- RB167 : DW.E (610 Sq. - photo Osprey & Squadron Signal - déco Carpena)
- RB169 : MN.F (350 Sq. - photo Osprey - déco Mk.XIVe (?) Fujimi)
- RB170 : DW.G (610 Sq. - photo Osprey & Squadron Signal)
- RB174 : DL.T (91 Sq. - info Profile)
- RB180 : DL.E (91 Sq.)
- RB184 : VL.B (322 Sq.)
- RB185 : MN.L (350 Sq.)
- RB188 : DL.K (91 Sq.)
- RB189 : MN.G (350 Sq.)

 

I may be wrong but I think that the Mk XIV Serial Number  from RB140 to RB 189 were equipped with C wings and the others were equipped with E wings

 

Patrice    

[German Armour]

 Oh good! A spitfire that won't cost a fortune to update! (I hope!) I've always liked the bubble canopy spits!

[Tomas Enerdal]

As far as can be seen from pics of runners and CAD, the kit looks very accurate and the level of detail looks good, typical Airfix but with commendably thin flying surfaces.

But depending of one's ambitions when it comes to level of detail, I suppose it will be possible to spend a fortune on aftermarket stuff. Eduard and Eduard/Brassin can be seen at the horizon allready, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Roy Sutherland/Barracuda chimes in... 

[NPL]

12 hours ago, Panther II said:

 Oh good! A spitfire that won't cost a fortune to update! (I hope!) I've always liked the bubble canopy spits!

However, don't forget 'Ginger' Lacey: This is not a Spitfire!

[Biggles87]

It certainly was according to Pete Brothers.

[gingerbob]

On 5/2/2019 at 4:13 AM, Dave Fleming said:

 

I need to crunch some numerals as well - I keep hoping a photo turns up as it served with 350 Squadron from August to November 44, , although this one (Probably RM764, served 26/8/44 to 15/9/45) is definitely 'e''

Hmm.  I note that it has invasion stripes under the fuselage.  I saw one copy of this image online which said taken at Lympne, which is where 350 went when switching aircraft with 130 Squadron on 29 September.  So it certainly could be one of the "first batch" (XIVes) which 350 got from 322 (who had only just gotten them themselves, in place of XIV[c]).  If you're right that it is '764, there seems to be some service absent from that aircraft's record card, but the date to 350 fits.  (On 29 Sept 130 Squadron got this batch of XIVes, while 350 took over 130's XIV[c]s.)

 

In April '45 (the one month that the ORB gives individual letters as well as serials) 'M' is RM729 (damaged on 11th).

 

EDIT: Just a follow-up.  I stumbled across this thread this morning, and the aircraft in the background looks like it still has 'c' armament.  This is 443 RCAF Squadron, who got XIVs in Jan '46, ten of which came from 350 Squadron.  The ORB also mentioned taking some aircraft to England to get gyro gunsights fitted (no serials, alas).  All of this shows that at least some early aircraft continued in service without getting "upgrades" during the war.

Edited May 6, 2019 by gingerbob

[VMA131Marine]

Released! Finally! 

 

I just got notification from Hornby that I have been charged for my pre-order and the kits are being prepared for shipping!

[NPL]

23 hours ago, VMA131Marine said:

Released! Finally! 

 

I just got notification from Hornby that I have been charged for my pre-order and the kits are being prepared for shipping!

 

Same here, from Hannants... and s.... it was the etch from Eduard for it that was dispatched. Back to square one.

Edited May 9, 2019 by NPL

[Homebee]

Source: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/fresco-advances-to-test-shots-stage

 

Quote

Spitfire shows its muscles

 

 

The box artwork is such an important feature of any new Airfix kit release and inspires many a modeller during the build itself. Illustrating one of Lazy Lady V’s two Fw190 victories on 2nd May 1945, there is no question that this image will spark a renewed modelling interest in the Spitfire and its Griffon powered variants

 

It is certainly no exaggeration to say that both Airfix and the modelling world in general have an enduring affection for the Supermarine Spitfire, an aircraft which many people continue to regard as arguably the most famous ever to take to the skies. The association between Airfix and the Spitfire was further enhanced in late September 2018, when the Workbench blog announced our first new tooling project for 2019 would be the 1/48th scale Spitfire FR. Mk.XIV, the low altitude, fighting reconnaissance version of Mitchell’s airborne masterpiece. Although we have already brought you several updates from this highly anticipated new model, we have yet to feature images of a model finished in the lead scheme option to be included with the release of this kit, a dereliction of modelling duty we intend put right in this latest edition of our blog. Courtesy of our talented young Airfix product designer Paramjit, who you may recall featured in a previous edition of Workbench whilst helping to judge the Airfix section of the model competition at the IPMS Nationals, we now have pictures of a fine built example of this new kit to bring you. As this beautiful model is due to be released later this month, this seems a good time to show the thousands of people who have pre-ordered this kit exactly what they have to look forward to.

Airfix product designer Paramjit is also a keen modeller and he recently had the opportunity to build the A scheme from the new 1/48th scale Spitfire FR Mk.XIV kit – this exclusive series of pictures show the fruits of his labours

 

 

For the first time, we are able to show built models finished in both of the scheme options which are available with the new Rolls-Royce Griffon powered Spitfire FR Mk.XIV kit

 

 

As was the case with several of the Spitfire variants produced during its service career, the Mk.XIV was only intended to be an interim version of the famous fighter, with the later Spitfire Mk.XVIII being fully developed as the next major variant of the fighter. As it turned out, the Mk.XIV would go on to be the definitive Rolls Royce Griffon engined fighting variant of the Spitfire and helped to ensure that this classic aeroplane remained at the forefront of world fighter design throughout the final months of the Second World War. Most of these aircraft were powered by the Griffon 65 series engine, which featured a two speed, two stage supercharger with intercooler, which gave the Spitfire Mk.XIV excellent performance at all altitudes and significantly, made it a match for anything the Luftwaffe had in widespread service at the time of its introduction. The adoption of this new powerplant gave the Mk.XIV a very different appearance to that of the earlier Griffin powered Spitfires, particularly as this latest powerplant was mounted ten inches further forward from the engine bulkhead, with the top angled slightly towards the ground. Producing 2,050hp, the engine drove a huge five bladed Rotol propeller, the torque from which necessitated some lateral stability modifications and the adoption of an enlarged vertical stabiliser and larger rudder. The intercooler also necessitated the inclusion of two larger underwing radiators, although the iconic elliptical wing of the Spitfire was more than capable of accepting these modifications.

 

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV, NH902 VC-P ‘Lazy Lady V’, Flown by Squadron Leader James Bernard Prendergast, No.414 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, B156 Luneburg, Germany, June 1945.

 

 

Full scheme details of Sqn. Ldr. Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIV ‘Lazy Lady V’ of No.414 Squadron RCAF

 

No 44 Army Cooperation Squadron was initially formed at Croydon aerodrome in August 1941, where pilots were training in the demanding role of flying fighter reconnaissance missions, a duty they would carry out until the end of the Second World War. Securing vital battlefield information, with the ability to either defend themselves against enemy attack, or switch to an offensive role should a target present itself, this was a job for specialist pilots, who not only recognised the strategic importance of information gathering, but also how vital it was to bring this information back home safely, no matter how tempting it might be to add another strafed aircraft or supply locomotive to your personal tally. Providing vital support during both the Dieppe Raid of 1942 and the later D-Day landings, the squadron would continue their work in the months which followed Operation Overlord, taking their Spitfires across the channel to operate from forward bases liberated from the retreating Germans, as Allied forces began the long thrust into Germany itself.

 

During the final months of the Second World War, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the dominant Allied air forces to coax more than just a handful of Luftwaffe fighters into the air at any one time. This was completely understandable, as not only were the Luftwaffe running out of men, machines and fuel supplies, but those which did make it into the air faced increasingly overwhelming odds, with as many Allied fighters looking to destroy them on the ground, as those waiting to engage them in combat. For the reconnaissance Spitfires of No.414 Squadron, it could be difficult for pilots to secure anything but a handful of aerial victories, due to the fact that their primary function was to gather information and other strike units would stand more chance of coming across the enemy. What they did have the ability to see was the carnage taking place in the towns and cities below, with tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the advancing Allied ground units and town after town sustaining withering damage, as the ground war continued to sweep across Germany. Pilots from the squadron were also amongst the first to spot Soviet armour moving into Norther German towns as the net was finally closing on the soon to be vanquished Third Reich.

 

Squadron Leader J.B Prendergast had arrived in Britain from his home in Canada during the summer of 1943, where he was assigned to fly armed reconnaissance missions with RAF No.430 Squadron. Even at that stage (although clearly unknown to squadron pilots), these vital missions were paving the way for D-Day, gathering essential information on troop concentrations, fortifications and supply channels, as well as taking out targets of opportunity as and when they presented themselves. After D-Day, Prendergast and the rest of the squadron operated from bases in Europe as their essential work continued in support of final Allied victory. He took command of No.414 Squadron in the middle of April 1945, at about the same time as the unit were trading their old Spitfire Mk.IX fighters for the new Griffon powered FR Mk.XIV – he would ultimately prove to be the units final C.O. A particularly memorable sortie took place on 2nd May 1945, when Sqn. Ldr. Prendergast was flying a reconnaissance mission over the North German coast. He spotted a pair of Luftwaffe Fw 190 fighters below him and immediately pounced on them, firing his Spitfire’s cannon and machine guns into the hapless fighters – both were seen falling to the ground in flames. Just a week later, the war in Europe ended and the squadron moved to a new home at Luneburg and the strange experience of flying peace time operations.

 

The Spitfires flown by Sqn. Ldr. Prendergast were rather distinctive and sported the name ‘Lazy Lady’ on the port side of their engine cowling, a name which seems completely inappropriate for this purposeful looking Griffon powered Spitfire. As NH902 also carried the Roman numeral V, it can be assumed that this was the fifth aircraft to carry this name. His previous Spitfire, ‘Lazy Lady IV’ was flown by Prendergast after he became the C.O. of No.414 Squadron, but only for around two weeks, as this aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair by flak on 29th April. The Spitfire covered by the attractive scheme above is the aircraft in which he scored his double Fw190 kill on 2nd May and indeed the one he was flying on VE Day. This new 1/48th scale Spitfire FR Mk.XIV A05135 is due to be released at the end of the month and with very few models remaining un-allocated, this could be your final opportunity to secure one of these stunning Supermarines from the initial release.

 

V.P.

[NPL]

Almost like a coincidence? Richard A. Franks' second book in his Spitfire series has just been on pre-order status by the publisher: The Grifffons. So it will be a Griffon summer!

[VMA131Marine]

4 hours ago, Homebee said:

Source: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/fresco-advances-to-test-shots-stage

 

Quote

Spitfire shows its muscles

 



 

 

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV, NH902 VC-P ‘Lazy Lady V’, Flown by Squadron Leader James Bernard Prendergast, No.414 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, B156 Luneburg, Germany, June 1945.

 

 

So the box art shows the aircraft shooting down an Fw 190D-9 but the colour and marking guide indicates June 1945. Does anyone else see the problem with this?

[Dave Fleming]

1 hour ago, VMA131Marine said:

So the box art shows the aircraft shooting down an Fw 190D-9 but the colour and marking guide indicates June 1945. Does anyone else see the problem with this?

Not really

[VMA131Marine]

11 minutes ago, Dave Fleming said:

Not really

Fair enough!

[Troy Smith]

1 hour ago, VMA131Marine said:

So the box art shows the aircraft shooting down an Fw 190D-9 but the colour and marking guide indicates June 1945.

 

 

Quote

NH902 FRXIV ALD G65 29MU 24-3-45 414S 19-4-45 9MU 27-7-47(?) nea 31-3-53 sold MoS 30-12-53

on squadron 19 April 45,  so while may not have had a yellow spinner, was on strength in the war.   Perhaps the june date refers to the reference pic used?

 

 

 

[stever219]

1 hour ago, VMA131Marine said:

So the box art shows the aircraft shooting down an Fw 190D-9 but the colour and marking guide indicates June 1945. Does anyone else see the problem with this?

Not really; you're building the kit, not the box art and, should the chosen colour scheme offend you, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from.

[ColFord]

Go back to my post #15 on the first page of this thread, the aircraft Prendergast shot down the FW-190s in was not NH902. 

Edited May 10, 2019 by ColFord
Typo

[Biggles87]

Going back to the question of making a high back version, does anyone still have a HobbyCraft Mk XIV fuselage? It would be interesting to see if that might work.

[Troy Smith]

3 hours ago, Biggles87 said:

Going back to the question of making a high back version, does anyone still have a HobbyCraft Mk XIV fuselage? It would be interesting to see if that might work.

I do.

The Hobbycraft is good shape wise, and there are two versions, one with trench panel lines, and one with no rear fuselage panel lines.

Without seeing the actual new Airfix kit, my suspicion is take a pragmatic approach, and initially look to modify the existing fuselage.

If that goes wrong, look for a replacement.

In the case of the Hobbycraft, making that match in detail the new kit is likely to be more work than grafting on and blending in a new spine.

But, until we have the kit, that is merely a suggestion.

[VMA131Marine]

On 5/11/2019 at 12:44 AM, Biggles87 said:

Going back to the question of making a high back version, does anyone still have a HobbyCraft Mk XIV fuselage? It would be interesting to see if that might work.

The new Airfix kit has the 'e' wing. Where there any high back Mk.XIVs with 'e' wing armament?  I thought they all had the 'c' wing.