Madmaks Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) I might have bitten more than I can chew here but we won't know till I try. 😉 I love the Spitfire FR XVIII and have had this Ventura kit in my stash for a long time along with the MPM XVIII. I did masquerade a Fujimi XVIe as an XVIII a cpl of yrs back but I think its about time this kit gets built. I have felt that the amount of scraping etc required wouldn't be worth the effort but I always hear that its worth it when one finishes a Ventura kit so here goes nothing. Technically its a side build for me as I do an Apache GB but I anticipate its going to be just as time consuming...fingers crossed 🤞 Edited April 21, 2021 by Madmaks Inserted image 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phew7410 Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Nice! I'm following this! I've one of these in my stash that needs building, plus a few Seafires! I've built the PR.XIX and almost finished the Mk.XIVe The Stash! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 The surface detail is good with fine recessed lines but it's going to try my patience scrapping and thinning the excess plastic between the wing halves and cockpit well. I still have to figure out how/what cockpit detail to add 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Roy Sutherland did one many years ago that he painted in "Operation Firedog" markings. So, a brilliant result can be had, once the patient undergoes the varicose veins operation.... -d- 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 The Ventura Spitfires/Seafires do take a bit of work, but I was pleased with the results of the ones I built (Spitfire HF.VII, PR.XI, PR.19, Seafire Mk.17, and Seafire FR.47), so stay with it. Regards, Jason 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 1 hour ago, David H said: Roy Sutherland did one many years ago that he painted in "Operation Firedog" markings. So, a brilliant result can be had, once the patient undergoes the varicose veins operation.... -d- Thx, I will hunt it down for inspiration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 11 minutes ago, Learstang said: The Ventura Spitfires/Seafires do take a bit of work, but I was pleased with the results of the ones I built (Spitfire HF.VII, PR.XI, PR.19, Seafire Mk.17, and Seafire FR.47), so stay with it. Regards, Jason Thx Jason. If you have posted them on britmodeller I will look for them. I am planning on building an 1/72 Academy XIVc on the side to get ideas for scratch building the cockpit detail. Assuming it won't be too different for an XVIII 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 There's just something about that big rudder on the 18 that appeals to me..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Unfortunately, I built all those models long before I was a member of BM, so I don't have any photographs to show you. I do suspect the cockpit on the Mk.XVIII was very similar to that on the Mk.XIV. Rough as they may be, the Ventura Sea/Spitfires get the shapes right, the canopies are nice and clear, and the decals are good. All it takes is a little modelling to get a good result. Best of luck with your build! Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phew7410 Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Also, with you talking of thinning the interior and wings, I noticed the plastic is hard and a touch brittle, but when using any form of power tool like a dremmel it melts easily! As for interiors, I've got a few Eduard Spitfires and will use the spare bulkheads they have as a starting point. Same with the landing gear! The Stash 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Phew7410 said: Also, with you talking of thinning the interior and wings, I noticed the plastic is hard and a touch brittle, but when using any form of power tool like a dremmel it melts easily! As for interiors, I've got a few Eduard Spitfires and will use the spare bulkheads they have as a starting point. Same with the landing gear! The Stash Good point and I have a dremel like tool on order that should arrive tomorrow. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Well Im an 18 fan myself and have a Sword Mk.14 I plan on bringing up to an Mk.18 standard at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 13 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Well Im an 18 fan myself and have a Sword Mk.14 I plan on bringing up to an Mk.18 standard at some point. That's a nice kit. One of these days I will stop fondling the sprues and actually build it 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 20 hours ago, Madmaks said: The surface detail is good with fine recessed lines but it's going to try my patience scrapping and thinning the excess plastic I assume you mean scraping.... A really good tool for this is a carpenters kidney scraper, eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292218002405 I'm sure you can find a similar item in the USA, it's really handy for thinning out trailing edges. Also, you might want to check the wing panelling on the kit, I'm not sure any kit gets the modified Mk,XVIII panelling right, https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235014550-spitfire-mkxviii-mk18-photos-of-wing-panelling-differences-confirmed/ HTH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 31 minutes ago, Troy Smith said: I assume you mean scraping.... A really good tool for this is a carpenters kidney scraper, eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292218002405 I'm sure you can find a similar item in the USA, it's really handy for thinning out trailing edges. Also, you might want to check the wing panelling on the kit, I'm not sure any kit gets the modified Mk,XVIII panelling right, https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235014550-spitfire-mkxviii-mk18-photos-of-wing-panelling-differences-confirmed/ HTH Fat fingers on the phone but yes it does change the meaning. Thx for the link and I have had it bookmarked for a while 🙏 The best reference available - thank you for putting this together Troy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 Things got real. Instead of just staring at my tools and at the sprues, I started sawing. Now starts the painful process of sanding and thinning. I will also start searching in my spares box to see what I can cannibalize vs scratch build for the cockpit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Madmaks said: I will also start searching in my spares box to see what I can cannibalize vs scratch build for the cockpit. If you have an Eduard spitfire there are usually extras for the various cockpit parts. Ive built multiple Eduard kits and have a huge box of bits left over. I also have about a dozen sitting in the stash right now. Also have extra bubble top canopies and different guns in the 8/9 boxings. Edited April 21, 2021 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: If you have an Eduard spitfire there are usually extras for the various cockpit parts. Ive built multiple Eduard kits and have a huge box of bits left over. I also have about a dozen sitting in the stash right now. Also have extra bubble top canopies and different guns in the 8/9 boxings. Thx! I do have a cpl of Eduard Mk VIII boxes. Will go through them and see what I can scavenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 22, 2021 Author Share Posted April 22, 2021 (edited) Whoa...look at those gaps at the wing root! I wasn't expecting something so off and I don't think putty will do it. Might need to use something like milliput. Edited April 22, 2021 by Madmaks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 Do you have plastic strip ? I fill the gaps with as much plastic as possible then fill the remains with putty. Apologies if you're aware of this technique ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 22, 2021 Author Share Posted April 22, 2021 2 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Do you have plastic strip ? I fill the gaps with as much plastic as possible then fill the remains with putty. Apologies if you're aware of this technique ? Thanks, I have never had to fill in so much of a gap. I do have a lot of plasticard and can get a lot more plastic stuffing from my sprue boneyard. I was thinking milliput since I had read someone on britmodeller using milliput for larger gaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 Is there any adjustment you can make to the outboard junction of the lower and upper wings (I think it takes place on the outboard panel line)? By removing material from the outer edges of the lower wing, you should be able to bring the upper wings much, much closer to the wingroots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted April 22, 2021 Author Share Posted April 22, 2021 10 hours ago, Andrew said: Is there any adjustment you can make to the outboard junction of the lower and upper wings (I think it takes place on the outboard panel line)? By removing material from the outer edges of the lower wing, you should be able to bring the upper wings much, much closer to the wingroots. It's definitely worth looking into. I just got a notification from Amazon that my dremel like tool comes in today, so my evening after work will be a lot of sanding anyway - have to play with new toys as soon as they come in 😁 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcoat Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 Hard to tell in the overhead shot but it appears that the wings are almost flat. If you give it the proper Spitfire dihedral it should go a long way toward filling that gap. Now if the the wings already have the proper angle then... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, Tcoat said: Now if the the wings already have the proper angle then... They're moulded with dihedral (quick inspection of my Ventura PR.XI). But it's pretty rough casting, so fit might be off until cleaned up. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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