Jump to content

++++ Supermarine's Last and First -FINISHED ++++


Recommended Posts

The era of this GB saw the end of the piston engined fighter and the beginning of the jet age. I'll be doing two threads, this one of the FAA's last Supermarine piston fighter, a Seafire and their first Supermarine jet, the Attacker. I'll be tackling Hawker aircraft in a second thread. So here are the aircraft. 

 

Sword's Seafire MkXV which will be a post war example based at Hal Far. 

 

resized_28e41d4b-5c4a-40df-8f9a-9e516804

 

and AZModels Attacker FB2 which will be an HMS Eagle based aircraft in 1950. 

 

resized_5590e8ab-6f8d-4fe5-b300-13a368b2

Let the building commence

Edited by 825
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Seafire is a typical Sword/Legato/Admiral Seafire/Spitfire and I've made a few.  They go together fine but need a bit of care around the wing fuselage joint. This one will also need a bit of work on the cowling top as it's a bit complex. Here are the options. There are two Far East options but I'll be making the Hal Far option of 805 Squadron NAS.

 

resized_186ebad7-b8a0-439c-87d2-d2e0266b

 

A single sprue, with resin exhausts and cannon. Nicely moulded and shape looks ok. 

resized_412be2e6-e2ac-4a69-bb14-ee83fb5c

 

Typical instructions and transfers 

resized_7a95f39d-efdc-4ecb-844a-9700937c

 

A couple of options for the Attacker, but I'll be doing the 800 Squadron from HMS Eagle. 

 

resized_39c3de14-2266-4a43-b880-032ea944

 

Two small sprues with a resin cockpit. A fair number of ejection pins, as would be expected on a short run kit.

 

resized_d94c5e4b-6bd3-4414-b55e-4de7070e

instructions and transfers, which include some stencils. 

resized_c54de669-12b5-4446-97ac-41f65b19

 

Will now get some paint on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some of the pre-assembly painting done.  Seafire

 

resized_864e01cd-31f9-48ac-b90f-17f90051

 

Attacker

 

resized_681c6750-ec5e-43ae-ad7c-d100515c

 

Resin cockpit paints up nice. Will pick out details with a wash and add seat belts. The assembled jet pipe however is not so good and will need a bit of work. Just as well I decided to start glueing it first. Some plastic strip and Perfect Plastic Putty to start with. 

 

resized_4d2d8792-faf7-4f56-a225-d22ad121

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This does make for a cool double build theme. Having built the XV kit as well I found it went together well with a little attention and looked the part once finished. You're off to a good start with both of these :goodjob:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, 825 said:

The assembled jet pipe however is not so good and will need a bit of work. 

In theory You can replace this bad jet pipe on aftermarket from Quickboost exhaust nozzle for MiG-15 - cat.no QB 72 175  :72175.jpg

or exhaust nozzle for F9F-2 Panther

- cat.no QB 72 340 : 

72340.jpg

because this aircraft have identical type jet engine as and Attacker.

Of course, You need to grind both aftermarket  pipe outside.

 

Resource photo:

http://www.quickboost.net/172.htm

 

B.R.

Serge

Edited by Aardvark
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, CliffB said:

I like the theme 'last and first'. 

But I thought you meant last 'drop dead gorgeous' and first 'minger' :winkgrin:

No doubt the Seafire was DDG but although not a great success it gave valuable experience in the rapidly changing jet age. Personally I don't think it's such a bad looker. 

 

16 hours ago, franky boy said:

Loving this theme!

 

Looking forward to more progress.

 

James

Thanks James. I'm also working on the same theme with Hawker with a Sea Fury and Seahawk. 

 

15 hours ago, Aardvark said:

In theory You can replace this bad jet pipe on aftermarket from Quickboost exhaust nozzle for MiG-15 - cat.no QB 72 175  :72175.jpg

or exhaust nozzle for F9F-2 Panther

- cat.no QB 72 340 : 

72340.jpg

because this aircraft have identical type jet engine as and Attacker.

Of course, You need to grind both aftermarket  pipe outside.

 

Resource photo:

http://www.quickboost.net/172.htm

 

B.R.

Serge

Thanks Serge, however the flaw is at the inside end and so I'll live with it. Anyway both the aftermarket items need the outlet end reshaped and then the lovely resin buried. I've also got some plastic tube in the stash which will do the business.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fuselage sides cleaned up and intake plates added. Some massive ejection pins needed sanded off. Wings also glued together. Again some ejection pins removed and I tried to thin down the trailing edge but don't think it made much difference. There are seams on the leading edges which will need filling. 

 

resized_289289fd-edc3-4413-b750-e268ce2c

 

Here's the cleaned up jet exhaust. You can also see the cockpit interior painted up. 

 

resized_05953bf2-82c5-4cf4-96fe-963e59a6

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seafire cockpit done, including Tamiya tape seat belts. I've also dry brushed some aluminium paint onto the interior walls. To be honest Seafire/Spitfire cockpit openings are tiny and little can be seen inside so that will suffice. 

 

resized_90e41036-c036-4df9-b709-0aacc5ef

 

resized_0c840b53-8f11-4290-82ff-a281a983

 

Fuselage closed up, I'll insert the cockpit from underneath which I have found works well with these kits. Also boxed in the wheel wells. I'll add the lower wing to the fuselage before fitting the upper wings. There's also a little bit of sanding needed, and possibly a little filler on the fuselage seams but nothing major. 

 

resized_1cf9a452-1a34-4d7d-8eef-44e85f51

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seafire fuselage closed up, seams sanded smooth, cockpit inserted and lower wing on. 

 

resized_f133d94a-0e5d-4e26-bbfa-13802d45

 

Quick peer into the cockpit. As said before little can be seen. But what can be seen looks good. 

 

d4723a93-b4d7-4384-a8f9-aa052c1875dc.JPG

 

The underside, which will need a little bit of attention. Mind you it's probably the best I've achieved with a Sword Seafire s this area is quite complex due to the subtle nature of the Spitfire curves here. 

 

1e077135-f388-4bd0-8060-45629a0d883d.JPG

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Seafire's upper wings added. The fit was neat but had a tendency to lift off the mating surfaces. Hence the modern art image of clothes pegs as clamps. 

 

resized_f5b557f0-1782-4858-9bc0-cb5470a6

 

Here's the tidied up underwing joint. 

 

resized_6a9551cc-feb4-41d1-bfdf-efa59760

 

The Attacker has the interior inserted. The resin cockpit is nice but little can be seen. These early jets did not have commodious cockpits. 

 

resized_8f1ea0cf-32a5-4b31-905e-81233e12

 

resized_69d2e0bc-4e94-46ac-8bd7-4cbb09df

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Peter Lloyd said:

Looks like you're getting on with the Attacker better than I am. Without a bit of surgery, my cockpit was definitely too wide (or the fuselage walls were too thick) to close everything up.

I was quite lucky, but I did have to sand down the port side of the cockpit tub a bit before closing up. There is a bit of a moulding lip and I sanded it down until smooth. I also gave the instrument panel a few swipes with a sanding stick. The fuselage didn't quite close up too well which you'll see in a post a little later on. 

Edited by 825
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I decided that the engine panels for the Seafire were likely to cause a bit of a challenge so I attached one side, adjusted it and left it to dry. 

 

resized_59917127-56b0-4604-8908-01a277c1

 

Then added the other side, which needed some light sanding to get a snug fit and I was pleasantly surprised with the result. I was fearing a long sanding and filling sesssion. 

 

resized_a2715795-f0ae-467e-8143-f991f065

 

Closing up the Attacker was a different kettle of fish. As usual on dry fit it seemed to go together fine but once some cement was added almost nothing seeemd to want to touch where it should. So as the upper fuselage is so characteristic and smooth I did the best job I could, taped it up with tape and left it to dry. 

 

resized_558fc090-0266-4f28-a253-5672586d

 

Then then I did the same with the the underside once the upper side was given overnight to dry. Cue loads of tape. 

 

resized_7843794e-119c-4191-80d0-777f2227

 

Not not too bad overall but the front end will need some work. 

 

resized_a0c6ddd8-32d7-453e-896f-c5e3cc25

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As you did I found the Seafire cowling went together far better than expected. The Attacker looks well mummified there so hopefully the seams aren't too bad for you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seafire's starting to look like the thoroughbred she is. Radiators to assemble and pop on and she'll be ready for a coat of paint. 

 

resized_989a8831-48a7-4faf-8be8-8d8dbb77

 

Attacker has cleaned up OK with some filler and a fair amount of sanding. The upper surface seems OK but the underside may need a bit of attention. It was quite frustrating cleaning up; the rear fuselage seam which will be covered by the fin and its airing was fine while the front part needed a lot of work.  On the underside the worst part was the rear with its fine engraving, while the section that will be under the ventral tank wasn't all that bad. Murphy' Law always applies. I'll complete the airframe and have another check before starting to paint. 

 

resized_f71aa497-982e-439b-9bea-14c0543b

 

resized_528f5893-24b6-4659-a332-549e74d8

 

I'm not convinced by the nose. It feels smooth but doesn't look as if it is. Again let's hang on in there until there's some paint on. 

 

resized_8b1a3a56-00cd-4bb0-a6d8-b0f707ae

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seafire underside complete

 

resized_980d6674-a162-4601-bfea-fbdf0a01

 

Attacker has wings and tailplane on. Apart from the fin there no locating points and the joints simply butt up against each other. 

 

resized_8d5ee0b5-4a14-4b38-8b30-1f5ecc31

 

resized_be3906af-c9b8-4597-9b16-b73f73b6

 

Wings went on OK but getting the tailplane at the right dihedral and stay fixed was a challenge and the fin although located well from the beginning, didn't want or stay fixed. A bit of filler was needed and I might run some cyano along the joints. 

Edited by 825
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had the same experiences with my Attacker. I added short rods into the tailplanes to help locate them, but it was still a matter of carefully glueing and repeatedly checking and 'tweaking' the angle as they dry.  I used the early fin and found the same as you, it wants to sit in the right place but has no strength and is easily knocked.  I just can't bring myself to put that hideous fuel tank on, though!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Undersides almost done. There was a little bit of touching up needed.  As the paint is thin it takes a few coats to get full coverage but does mean the finish is nice and smooth. 

 

resized_3df9c719-0db5-4a01-857e-0b6cb0a7

 

a double check and then it's time for masking for the Extra Dark Sea Grey. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Masked up ready for the Extra Dark Sea Grey 

 

resized_3e81b00e-5cb2-4986-906c-15ff2484

 

And a few coats of EDSG on

 

resized_97c7350d-015d-4abd-85b9-2ed231d0

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...