825 Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 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. Here's the box contents and a clear clear sprue and a good transfer sheet but only the stencils, and possibly the roundels will be used. 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. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 14, 2020 Author Share Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) Let's get some paint on. Black interior for a postwar Seafire. And the cockpit put together 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. Edited May 14, 2020 by 825 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 Freightdog give a scribing template to position and scribe a new radio access panel which is a good idea. 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. The cockpit went in from underneath and fitted snugly. Here it's sitting before any glue has been applied. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 I like! J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Yes, cool conversion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 17, 2020 Author Share Posted May 17, 2020 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. Also the resin stinger arrestor hook assembly glued on. 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 19, 2020 Author Share Posted May 19, 2020 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 A small amount of filler will be needed on the port side but not much at all. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 Underside finished and ready for masking for painting the upperworks. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 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. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Good afternoon I see with pleasure that your finger injury did not stop you from doing a very nice work 👍.. Best Regards Patrice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 The seams tidied and another coat of DSG on then a first coat of Extra Dark Sea Grey. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 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. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 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. 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. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 An excellent conversion so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Excellent work. And very nice to see a rarer Seafire. The Freightdog conversation set looks very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted June 9, 2020 Author Share Posted June 9, 2020 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted June 10, 2020 Author Share Posted June 10, 2020 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 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 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 That's really coming along nicely, I really like the counter-rotating props - nearly there now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 All finished and in the gallery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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