Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk XIVc highback

[Peter Roberts]

This one started life in the Spitfire/Seafire GB, but I am a slow builder and ran out of time completing it. I'll post the continuation of the build here if I may.

 

This one is a highback, 'C' wing conversion of the Airfix Spitfire XIVe kit, representing NH698, DL-F flown by Ken Collier of 91 Squadron. Ken was apparently flying this plane when he was the credited as the first pilot to 'tip' a V1 out of the sky using his wingtip.

 

The build now has paint, decals, some light weathering, wear and tear added, and is waiting on a finishing satin coat and D-Day stripes before final assembly. I took the Squadron codes, serial and nose letter from an Airfix Spitfire Mk XII (2 decal sheets used). This kit has DL-K; the 'K' was modified into an 'F'. The serial characters were also taken from this sheet, with the 'H' cobbled from an 'M'. The Squadron codes are a bit disappointing - they looked ok on the sheet, but appear more like Sky Blue than Sky on the model. I am hoping the D-Day stripes lessen the disparity. Upper wing roundels also came from the Mk XII kit, and lower wing roundels from a Red Roo sheet. The latter appear to have a slightly larger than normal white but having a separate red I didn't see this until too late. Perhaps a later version? I think I can live with it.

 

Not one of my better efforts, but I think it will look ok on the shelf when done - perhaps towards the back.

 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2020 by Peter Roberts

[bigbadbadge]

Hi Pete, 

Another lovely Spitfire, you can never have too many.  Can I ask what you used for the high back conversion, was it a conversion set or a scratch build or the XII spine ?

Chris

[Peter Roberts]

Thanks Chris. Link to how the highback started:  

 

[bigbadbadge]

Thanks Pete I have just been back through your WIP and seen all your hard work.  A Mk V rear section, great work .  I built the Academy kit a long time ago using the Daco nose correction, which does improve things somewhat, but still is too deep.  I have a 32nd scale conversion for a MkXIV high back using the Revell MkIX as a donor so will see how that goes when I eventually get round to it.

Great conversion work  you have done there Pete.

All the best

Chris

[Peter Roberts]

Sorry Chris, should have added that the back was 'donated' by an Airfix Mk V, but my laptop was hassling me for an update so I had to keep the reply short. It does need a little fettling but works very well. I couldn't bring myself to build the Academy kit, it just looks wrong. A Mk XIV will look great in 1/32! Good luck with that one.  

 

The 'C' wing conversion was a lot easier than I thought it would be - just needs to be taken steady, one step at a time.