Tim's long-wing Spitfire 6 - COMPLETION

[theplasticsurgeon]

Introducing this Italeri Spitfire 6,  This is my first long-wing, complementing several clipped-wings that I've built.

Bought at Monk Bar Models, York in 2019, for £9.99.

Parts.

Options and decals

 

[Johnson]

I've long wondered about this kit Tim so will look forward to following your progress, best wishes for the build!

 

Cheers,

[Cookenbacher]

Yes, this looks like an interesting project Tim, can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Ive built the Italeri Mk.Vb and would be into building this or a Mk.VII with the long wings. So I'm going to follow if you don't mind. 
 

Dennis

[theplasticsurgeon]

Some initial thoughts for the built. 

This is not a version that I know much about - but have wanted a long-wing model to complete my collection.

The kit looks like a Spitfire V (which is what I thought it was based on), single radiator -  but has a 4-blade prop like a IX.

And the B-wing cannons used on most Spitfire Vs.  Wingtips are on the fuselage sprue.

With Green/Grey camo, my most similar previous builds is this

Airfix Sptifire Vb

 

Looking at the sprues, there are some spare parts:  two 3 blade prop spinners, a desert filter, and a belly tank.

Then an additional canopy - pressurised.

 

[Shorty84]

Hi Tim,

 

interesting version you are going to build. I'm planning the same, just in 1/48 from the Hasegawa kit. I did some research into the differences to the Mk.V so I hope you don't mind if I share my findings here. Apart from the mentiomed 4-blade prop and extended wingtips there are other differences:

• an air intake for cockpit pressurization below the RH exhaust stacks (similar to the PR.XIX)
• the canopy was fixed in place, not a sliding design. So you should fill the canopy rails
• the cockpit door was deleted and replaced with sheet metal
• the forward and rear cockpit bulkheads were fully enclosed
• there is an additional horizontal frame on the rear fixed canopy part

There's maybe more but I think these are the most noticeable differences. No idea if Italeri considered all these differences (if they are like Hasegawa then only the most noticeable ones).

 

Cheers

Markus

[PeterB]

Hi Tim,

 

I have this kit together with one Italeri Mk IX and 2 Airfix Mk IX. In a review somewhere it was suggested that the chord of the Italeri wing is too narrow, and it certainly is less than that on the Airfix kit, though I cannot say which (if any) is actually correct - it would be interesting if anybody knows the correct dimensions.

Italeri wing on top of Airfix - the difference is 1mm to 2mm.

 I was considering seeing if I could cross-kit them using Airfix wings. Years ago I converted the original Airfix Mk Vb to a Mk VI using resin conversion wings - not perfect but looks quite good.

 

 will watch this with interest.

Have fun and be safe,

 

Pete

Edited April 11, 2020 by PeterB

[Graham Boak]

52 minutes ago, PeterB said:

Hi Tim,

 

I have this kit together with one Italeri Mk IX and 2 Airfix Mk IX. In a review somewhere it was suggested that the chord of the Italeri wing is too narrow, and it certainly is less than that on the Airfix kit, though I cannot say which (if any) is actually correct - it would be interesting if anybody knows the correct dimensions.

Italeri wing on top of Airfix - the difference is 1mm to 2mm.

 I was considering seeing if I could cross-kit them using Airfix wings. Years ago I converted the original Airfix Mk Vb to a Mk VI using resin conversion wings - not perfect but looks quite good.

 

I will watch this with interest.

Have fun and be safe,

 

Pete

The Italeri wing is right - the Airfix wing is too broad in chord.  You can get the true dimensions from Monforton's tome - from memory it is 17mm but basically everybody gets the wing root chord right except Airfix on their Mk.IX/XIX kits, including Airfix on their other kits.  The Airfix Mk.IX however is the only kit with the correct nose length - the Italeri nose is horribly short but had it a better shape anyway it would do for a Mk.III.

[PeterB]

Thanks Graham

 

That makes things a bit easier anyway.

 

Pete

[PeterB]

Sorry Tim, 

 

Need new reading glasses - yours is a Mk VI and mine is a Mk VII

 

Pete

Edited April 11, 2020 by PeterB

[theplasticsurgeon]

Opening day progress

 

Some distortion on the port fuselage half, and a misfitting access door.

Cockpit parts, instument panel is etch brass -  from the AeroTeam kit.

Fuselage and wings together, that engine needed packing out with a piece of sprue.

Enging fitted about a minute later.

and tailfeathers.

This kit is the most disappionting of the 3 that I started today.  Mis-shaped, soft plastic, poor fit.

[theplasticsurgeon]

5 hours ago, Shorty84 said:

Hi Tim,

 

interesting version you are going to build. I'm planning the same, just in 1/48 from the Hasegawa kit. I did some research into the differences to the Mk.V so I hope you don't mind if I share my findings here. Apart from the mentiomed 4-blade prop and extended wingtips there are other differences:

• an air intake for cockpit pressurization below the RH exhaust stacks (similar to the PR.XIX)
• the canopy was fixed in place, not a sliding design. So you should fill the canopy rails
• the cockpit door was deleted and replaced with sheet metal
• the forward and rear cockpit bulkheads were fully enclosed
• there is an additional horizontal frame on the rear fixed canopy part

There's maybe more but I think these are the most noticeable differences. No idea if Italeri considered all these differences (if they are like Hasegawa then only the most noticeable ones).

 

Cheers

Markus

Thanks for that Markus,  I wish Italeri hadn't bothered with the cockpit door!

We'll see if I can do justice to those changes.

Are you sure that air intake for cockpit pressurization is on Stbd side?  It's Port side on the Airfix PR19

 

[Shorty84]

Hi Tim,

 

positive about the intake. Take a look at these pictures: https://www.raf-in-combat.com/downloads/october-2017-supermarine-spitfire-mk-vi-11-photos/

 

Pity that the Italeri kit is such a let down but I guess you will make the best of it.

Just another point but do the extended wingtip look a bit too pointed? Based on the look of some photos they may should be a bit more rounded at the tip.

 

Cheers

Markus

Edited April 11, 2020 by Shorty84

[Graham Boak]

It is also on the starboard side of the Mk.VII.  The Griffon does go round the opposite way to the Merlin, which presumably is at the root of the difference but I don't know how.

[Adam Poultney]

10 hours ago, Shorty84 said:

Hi Tim,

 

interesting version you are going to build. I'm planning the same, just in 1/48 from the Hasegawa kit. I did some research into the differences to the Mk.V so I hope you don't mind if I share my findings here. Apart from the mentiomed 4-blade prop and extended wingtips there are other differences:

• an air intake for cockpit pressurization below the RH exhaust stacks (similar to the PR.XIX)
• the canopy was fixed in place, not a sliding design. So you should fill the canopy rails
• the cockpit door was deleted and replaced with sheet metal
• the forward and rear cockpit bulkheads were fully enclosed
• there is an additional horizontal frame on the rear fixed canopy part

There's maybe more but I think these are the most noticeable differences. No idea if Italeri considered all these differences (if they are like Hasegawa then only the most noticeable ones).

 

Cheers

Markus

Holdup, if the canopy was fixed how did the pilot get in and out? 

[theplasticsurgeon]

8 hours ago, Adam Poultney said:

Holdup, if the canopy was fixed how did the pilot get in and out? 

That was a story I heard when I bought the kit.

A shot-up plane that crash landed, then caught fire.

The pilot couldn't get out.  A dreadful situation with a terminal outcome.

[Graham Boak]

A flight of two was intercepted by other Spitfires and attacked because they "looked Germanic".  I think it was Tony Bartlett(?) who was killed, possibly the other pilot too   One of many "friendly fire" incidents.

[Shorty84]

12 hours ago, Adam Poultney said:

Holdup, if the canopy was fixed how did the pilot get in and out? 

The canopy had to be put in place and locked/unlocked (I guess from the outside by ground personell). There was an emergency jettison mechanism in case the pilot needed to bail out. Read it here too: http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/supermarine-spitfire-variants-the-initial-merlin-powered-line.html/4

 

Due to a better pressurisation system they could revert to the more popular sliding design with the Mk.VII.

 

Cheers

Markus

[theplasticsurgeon]

Bank Holiday Monday progress, seams treated with Tippex.

[theplasticsurgeon]

Bit of a slow day, but I painted the Sky band and spinner,  here  accompanied by my Airfix Spitfire V, and Kopro Spitfire IX.

The Spit 6 is closer to the V, but has engine and prop similar to the IX.

[Graham Boak]

Ah, no, the Mk.VI had a single stage Merlin like the Mk.V, closer perhaps the those supplied to Australia (and elsewhere) with the high-altitude rated Merlin 46 but still not a two-stage like the Mk.VII etc.

[Johnson]

I do so like those extended wings, just smacks of reaching for high altitude (I was tempted to say stratosphere, but that might be too high).

[theplasticsurgeon]

Something else I've noticed about this kit.   Rearward facing vents under the wings . . .

Stay or remove?   I'm airbrushing the undersides later today.

 

[Graham Boak]

I assume they are exit vents for the hot air ducted to keep the outer guns working, so I'd keep.  There may be other explanations, but if so where did that air go?

[theplasticsurgeon]

Airbrushed Humbrol 64 underside.