FROG 1/72 Spitfire XIV

[AdrianMF]

Here's my second recent build of this kit, first released in 1974. This is the second scheme from the kit, showing a 132 Squadron machine based in Hong Kong in 1945:

I made quite a few changes to the kit, summarised in the WIP here.

 

Thanks for looking, 

Adrian

[mark.au]

Yet another silk purse, Adrian.  

[AdrianMF]

Thanks Mark - your build was one of the ones that inspired me to start building this kit. I had previously filed it under "fun to play with for old times' sake but not worth building".

 

It has been a satisfying process to make it a bit less inaccurate, and I think I finally understand the Spitfire wing classifications! I wanted the airframe to look well-used, and although it's a bit rough I am actually quite pleased with it in an impressionistic sort of way.

 

I'm curious though about the legend "Jean VII" - either he flew a lot of aircraft or he had a high turnover of girlfriends!

 

Thanks,

Adrian

[bigbadbadge]

19 minutes ago, AdrianMF said:

I'm curious though about the legend "Jean VII" - either he flew a lot of aircraft or he had a high turnover of girlfriends!

You'd never get in trouble if you had lots of girlfriends with the same name!!!😉 so Ihave been told anyway.

 

This is a cracking build and have enjoyed following your progress,  it is a gorgeous model and has a sort of alive quality to it, I think it is a gorgeous model.  You have certainly shown that the older and often overlooked kits can still be turned into great models.

Great work

Chris

[RET]

Wow - very nice - and with such a challenging kit. I built one of these last year and wish it could have been as nice as this. Well done!

[Linus]

Adrian, I also followed all the WIP, my heartiest congratulations, TOP!!!

[RichieW]

Bravo Adrian, another win over dated old plastic. It looks like a lot of fun updating these kits from days gone by. The end result looks fantastic.

 

Richie

[AdrianMF]

Thanks all, it's not a model that rewards close inspection but I like the colour scheme and I'm pretty happy with the overall look (from a distance).
 

Next up, I should build something modern and straightforward for a change. Hang on, I've got the Airfix Ark Royal from 1966 on the bench!

 

Oh well,

Adrian

[RichieW]

2 hours ago, AdrianMF said:

Hang on, I've got the Airfix Ark Royal from 1966 on the bench!

Eek!!!! 

[David Womby]

I love seeing oldies built so well.  I went through the WIP thread too.  Lots of work but great result.

 

David

[Dave Klaatu]

Great work, it's a really nice build!

[Winded Penguin]

Pleasing outcome, so nice to look at 👍

Even the grass is in scale 😉

[invidia]

Fantastic looking model,  hard to believe is a frog kit and nearly as old as I am!!!

[AdrianMF]

12 hours ago, David Womby said:

Lots of work

It's much more fun (to me) to try to fix a kit with shortcomings than it is to try and assemble a good one without messing it up!

 

11 hours ago, Winded Penguin said:

Even the grass is in scale

I really like having bases, and every so often I build a new one. I bought a small pot of static grass at a model show a few years ago and it seems to last forever! I also like having figures for context, when I remember to get them out and stand them on the base.

 

11 hours ago, invidia said:

frog kit and nearly as old as I am!!!

Sometimes I will catch myself building one I made as a nipper and think "blimey, half a century on and still trying to stick a toy together properly!"

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Dunny]

Adrian,

 

Lovely work on this old kit - you've certainly done it justice! Love the overpainted roundels,

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[MACALAIN]

Well done for an old kit.

 

Alain

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Excellent work on both of the Spitfires Adrian.  Much better than my 40 year old version.

[Galligraphics]

I've only just noticed that you've finished this - really nice job. To paraphrase someone else, you've made a rather attractive (if still a bit rustic) leather purse from the proverbial sows ear... . Inspiring work.

 

Nige

[Hairtrigger]

Excellent result....  Very convincing pics as well could be mistaken for the real aircraft... 

[JWM]

Very nice. Once again you prove that a good modeler can make excellent model from not ideal kit...  

Regards

J-W

 

[AdrianMF]

2 hours ago, Galligraphics said:

rustic

Positively agricultural! I couldn't see any panel lines or stencils in the reference photo so I kept it simple and quick.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Natter]

You'd never believe that this was built from the old Frog kit unless you told us, it's a belter.

[georgeusa]

Wow, a Frog kit being built.  That usually isn't seen especially one built so well.  I really like the markings and paint scheme you have on this kit.  It really stands out and looks great.  Thanks for sharing.

[AdrianMF]

7 hours ago, Natter said:

it's a belter

 

4 hours ago, georgeusa said:

I really like the markings and paint scheme you have on this kit

Thanks chaps! I can't take any credit for choosing it - the scheme and even the decals (40+ years old!) are from the kit, but I really like it. Sometimes old FROG kits are a PITA to build, other times they just work - I haven't had this much fun with a FROG kit since my two quid Corsair a few years back.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Mr T]

Very nice Adrian, that has brushed up very nicely. Some of the old Frog kits can be quite acceptable with a bit of work. I did a Bristol 138 and Hotspur for a GB a couple or so years back. Re the name, I know of one case where a wife and mistress shared the same name.