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++++ Seafire FR46 Finished ++++


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My next contribution is a Seafire FR46. And not the easy way using one of the kits in the stash but using the Airfix F22 and Freightdog conversion kit. It may seeem a long winded way but the Airfix kit is quite straightforward and probably a quicker build than an Admiral, Legato, Sword or Special Hobby boxing. I also got the conversion kit some time ago and as well as being rather nice I really should use it up. 

 

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Here's the box contents 

 

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and a clear clear sprue and a good transfer sheet but only the stencils, and possibly the roundels will be used. 

 

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The resin parts, replacement prop, wheels, undercarriage doors, cannons a stinger arrestor hook, a pitot and a template for scribing a new radio hatch. Beautifully moulded and no pour blocks just some fine flash around the parts. And a full and clear set of instructions. 

 

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Let's get some paint on. Black interior for a postwar Seafire. 

 

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And the cockpit put together

 

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Some more paint on. I'll paint the wings before assembly as if the joints are good then it will give a lovely demarcation. I still have to give the resin a clean but the fuselage has been assembled and the interior inserted from below when finished. There's a transfer for the IP which will suffice. I'll add some seat belts as well. 

 

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Freightdog give a scribing template to position and scribe a new radio access panel which is a good idea. 

 

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However, I'm not sure I actually did a particularly good job. And to compound matters I stabbed my finger as the scalpel slipped when I made the final cut. I have cleaned the blood off but my finger is wrapped in a bandage now as the cut is right at the top and a plaster won't stick. 

 

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The cockpit went in from underneath and fitted snugly. Here it's sitting before any glue has been applied. 

 

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Empanage on, Airfix give really good positive fitting for these. A slight recess into the fuselage as well as a solid block to go into a rectangular hole. Fits quick and very positive. And no drooping as can happen with the butt joins of more limited run versions from some other makers. 

 

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Also the resin stinger arrestor hook assembly glued on. 

 

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Although the empanage and rudder were good positive fits the wing underside isn't. Airfix suggest asssembling the upper and lower wings together first then attaching, I've been found this rarely works on Seafires and it's better to add the lower wing and then trim the upper wings to fit is need be. However, the wing fit isn't great and the wing seems to want to part company.  So I've cemented the rear to give a good tight join and once solid move forward bit by bit. 

 

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Wings on now. Upper wings fittted like gloves but some tape was needed on the port wing to both close up the wing fuselage gap and get the dihedral right

 

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A small amount of filler will be needed on the port side but not much at all. 

 

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Underside finished and ready for masking for painting the upperworks. 

 

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Masked up and a few coats of Dark Slate Grey. As usual the paint revealed some seams that need attention so I'll deal with them before more paint. 

 

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It's still a wonderful kit and you're doing a great conversion. I am enjoying your build even though I did feel that scalpel cut.

Ray

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9 hours ago, Ray_W said:

It's still a wonderful kit and you're doing a great conversion. I am enjoying your build even though I did feel that scalpel cut.

Ray

Thanks Ray, the cut is only just healing now. At least I only dripped blood on the tablecloth, not the Seafire!

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21 hours ago, TEMPESTMK5 said:

Good afternoon

 

I see with pleasure that your finger injury did not stop you from doing a very nice work  👍..

 

Best Regards

Patrice

Thanks Patrice, the finger is on the mend too. 

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The seams tidied and another coat of DSG on then a first coat of Extra Dark Sea Grey. 

 

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Masking off, almost no need for touching up so it's straight to getting the transfers on. The national markings and stencils from the Airfix kit and the markings for an aircraft from 1832 Squadron NAS come from a Freightdog set 'Brits at Sea Part 2'. The Airfix transfers went on fine albeit a little on the thick side while Freightdog's were beautifully thin but strong. There's a small amount of stencils from Airfix's sheet to go on the underside but I've put some Microsol on the get the thicker Airfix transfers bed down and I'll leave everything a little while to dry. 

 

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All the stencils on, the prop and undercarriage added as well as most of the resin parts. I must give credit to Freightdog as their resin parts are beautifully cast with almost no mould imperfections, fit as if they were designed back at Airfix and take the superglue perfectly. They also look good. 

 

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The canopy has been dipped in Klear and awaiting masking. Just that and the undercarriage doors to be added with some final bits of paint. And we have an FR46. 

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23 hours ago, Cookenbacher said:

An excellent conversion so far.

 

14 hours ago, Johnson said:

Excellent work. And very nice to see a rarer Seafire. The Freightdog conversation set looks very good.

Thanks Cookie and Charlie. It's been a lot more straightforward than I thought. Mainly because the Airfix Mk22 Spitfire is excellent and the Freightdog resin is of the highest quality. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

More or less finished, all the bits on apart from the canopy which has been masked. Added the gunsight and given it some paint. I'll wait until it's had a chance to dry then put the canopy on. 

 

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Canopy on and frame painted with a coat of black for the interior colour. The mask didn't quite meet at the front of the canopy so a bit of Tamiya tape was needed. 

 

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Canopy painted and unmasked. All the sticky out bits added on as well. There's a need for a whip aerial and the tail wheel guard which I'll fabricate from plastic rod as I don't have any wire thin enough 

 

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Freightdog suggest making the tail wheel protector from wire but I've used fine plastic rod as although it's maybe not quite as strong, it's a lot easier to glue together. The central stay is inserted into a hole drilled in the underside then added the stays. 

 

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All finished and in the gallery. 

 

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