Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 - Irish Air Corps

[Mig88]

Hello everyone!

Here is my first kit of the year which I finished last weekend. It is AZ Model's Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 representing 162 of A Flight, No 1 Squadron, Irish Air Corps, at Gormaston, Ireland, in 1951. Before anyone says anything, yes the port wing insignia and the starboard side insignia are wrong. Sadly, I know. Read on to know why...

 

 

This kit has been a struggle almost all the way. AZ Model kits are short-run and so inherently involve extra work but this one more so. I have read favourable comments about AZ Model's Spitfire IX/XVI kits (and I hope so as I have a couple in my stash) but negative comments about the two-seater. I just about managed to overcome all the problems but it got tiresome. Apart from the usual fit issues and mismatched parts that you get with these kinds of kits here some of the low lights:

 

 

- Cockpit troubles: the rear cockpit was made almost like the front one but I believe it should have been shorter. The instructions have you put the oxygen bottles on one fuselage side as per a single-seater but, thankfully, they were placed horizontally behind the front cockpit. It's impossible to fit the rear cockpit if one doesn't do this. Because of the length of the rear cockpit and the position of the control yoke, I had to move the instrument dial forward. It's not correct but I had no choice by then. Getting the cockpit parts in place was fiddly due to the poor minimal mating surfaces but somehow I managed. As a note, I used the decals for the instruments and the harnesses. The latter aren't bad but in retrospect I should have removed more of the film.

- Main wings: some of the parts work best interchanged! I swapped the wheel bay cover parts and the wing tips. I was a bit confused with the instructions as to the gun arrangements, initially leaving only the outer machine guns but later restoring the other ones after reading about the type and other kit builds of Irish two-seaters. I used bits of sprue to help fill the cannon holes.

- Wing to fuselage assembly: with some trimming and checking, I just about managed a reasonable join along the bottom with the fuselage and cleaning it up wasn't too bad. The upper wing roots however were another matter with large mismatched trenches of varying width. Plenty of filling and sanding here.

- Canopies: the front one needed some trimming and I had a problem because the front cockpit was a little twisted and I had to sand it a bit to stop fouling the canopy. The rear one was another story... It was too narrow lengthwise and too wide at the front. I managed to thin it along the bottom and the top of the front end enough to make it almost all the way down. I glued it in place with Kristal Klear but forcing it down with tape. It held and I then filled the remaining gaps a long the bottom and the cavity in the front also with Kristal Klear and then paint.

- Other bits: the oil cooler intake was a terrible fit. I didn't try to improve it, glued it as it was and filled the gaps with CA glue and finally blending the part to the underside. I had to cut away a bit of the wheel bay lips to be able to insert the legs in the proper angles. The exhaust parts had to be thinned considerably in the inserting blocks to be able fit in the corresponding holes (on a positive note, the kit comes with inner blanking plates).

 

Once I made it through all this and painted the kit, it was looking good and I was thinking that despite it all, it was going to come out nicely. And then came the decals... These went on well and required plenty of Micro Sol to settle properly. I had some trouble with the underwing flags which ended up cracking (my fault) and I had to fix cutting bits from the markings for option 2 (to match the colours) to "fix" them. The big BUT were the insignia decals. The instructions have them shown correctly but the sheet was printed wrongly. They are supposed to be handed with the green half forwards on the sides and inwards on the wings. I tried finding replacements (no luck) and considered repainting them but matching the colours and getting the patterns right was too daunting. It was a real let down and I was unhappy for a couple of days about the kit but I decided to press on, as I just wanted to finish the kit, and use the decals as they came. My apologies to any Irish readers.

 

As usual, the kit was painted and varnished by brush. I weathered it just enough to break the uniform scheme but didn't overdo it as these machines seemed to be quite well-kept. In the end, despite everything and the decals, I'm pleased with how it came out. Sadly, there aren't many kits of Spitfire two-seaters but this one is really only for experienced modellers and masochists. AZ Model covered all of the two-seater options and I have their kit of the Soviet home-made two-seater version in my stash. I have been warned!

Thanks for looking and all comments are welcome.
Miguel

[Guest]

She looks very nice, great work!!👍

[malpaso]

Very nice build.  I built the same kit but as Dutch option; but to me it was as easy as their single seater - and to be honest I’ve not found them much harder than Eduard.

In the stash I have the Brigade version+italeri, which I’m not expecting to be nice process!

[tomprobert]

That’s come out really well, despite the trials. If you’d not told me about the decal issue, I’d have been blissfully unaware.
 

And anyway, what’s the fun (and sense of accomplishment) building shake and bakes all the time? Sit back and enjoy looking at a model that fought you along the way but has emerged a stunner!

 

All the best,

Tom

[bigbadbadge]

Congratulations on getting this one over the line Miguel, I gave up on mine when I came to fit the front canopy it was the straw that broke the camels back.  I have disassembled it and it is in with a brigade models boxing along with the suitable italeri parts and will give that one a go instead.

 

Great work, no really great work.

Chris

[CH-53D]

Lovely model, and I will refer back to your notes when I build my two IAC models (one green, one silver).

 

If it's any consolation on the Irish roundels, they were not "handed" on all aircraft -as in green forward or inboard on the two-colour roundels- this practice was not universal and was short lived anyway (except on the Seafire IIIs). 

Having quickly looked through all my photos and references, I didn't find any showing the right side or upper wings of 162, except those with the post-1957 three-colour roundels, so anyone would be hard pressed to criticize your work.

 

Cheers

[Mig88]

1 hour ago, Santti said:

She looks very nice, great work!!👍

 

1 hour ago, malpaso said:

Very nice build.  I built the same kit but as Dutch option; but to me it was as easy as their single seater - and to be honest I’ve not found them much harder than Eduard.

In the stash I have the Brigade version+italeri, which I’m not expecting to be nice process!

That's interesting. I may have had a bad issue but as I said, I've read the one-seater goes well but the only two comments/builds on this kit I found were on the negative side. Only one was completed. The other gave up!

 

1 hour ago, tomprobert said:

That’s come out really well, despite the trials. If you’d not told me about the decal issue, I’d have been blissfully unaware.
 

And anyway, what’s the fun (and sense of accomplishment) building shake and bakes all the time? Sit back and enjoy looking at a model that fought you along the way but has emerged a stunner!

 

All the best,

Tom

True. The sense of accomplishment after a difficult build is greater and I think that's why, despite the decal let-down, I'm pleased with my kit.

 

1 hour ago, bigbadbadge said:

Congratulations on getting this one over the line Miguel, I gave up on mine when I came to fit the front canopy it was the straw that broke the camels back.  I have disassembled it and it is in with a brigade models boxing along with the suitable italeri parts and will give that one a go instead.

 

Great work, no really great work.

Chris

 

22 minutes ago, CH-53D said:

Lovely model, and I will refer back to your notes when I build my two IAC models (one green, one silver).

 

If it's any consolation on the Irish roundels, they were not "handed" on all aircraft -as in green forward or inboard on the two-colour roundels- this practice was not universal and was short lived anyway (except on the Seafire IIIs). 

Having quickly looked through all my photos and references, I didn't find any showing the right side or upper wings of 162, except those with the post-1957 three-colour roundels, so anyone would be hard pressed to criticize your work.

 

Cheers

Thanks for the info and "consolation". 😄 I've managed to put that matter very much behind and appreciate what I've achieved.

 

Thank you very much to all for your praise and comments. My kit was AZ 7480 with two Irish options and, as far as I can tell, the decals for the second Irish option (in silver), with the later insignia, are correct.

Miguel

[stevehnz]

That is a beauty Miguel, I was pleased to find it after looking for info on these, I've a Brigade conversion I may look at later in the year. I'd better check the markings in it.

Steve.

[MACALAIN]

Well done Miguel.

 

Alain

[Mig88]

On 18/02/2024 at 12:58, stevehnz said:

That is a beauty Miguel, I was pleased to find it after looking for info on these, I've a Brigade conversion I may look at later in the year. I'd better check the markings in it.

Steve.

 

On 18/02/2024 at 13:33, MACALAIN said:

Well done Miguel.

 

Alain

Thank you very much 

Miguel 

[Philly1860]

Lovely build Miguel,

 

I too looked at the references I have for IAC aircraft but could not find any showing upper wings of 162. Did find one for 161 and it showed Green pointing inward towards fuselage both sides.  I'm gathering a stash of IAC models, builds to commence once my 1:1 house build is done.  Getting decals is not easy and to this point I am getting some printed in Poland.  Let me know what diameter and kit scale they are for your Spit and I can add a set to my order once we have finalized all the designs.  No guarantee the colour will match.  My stash doesn't include a Tr 9 Spit (well not yet) but does include most of the others.  

 

@CH-53D do you have many IAC kits in your stash and how have you been finding it trying to get the correct Decals?

 

Regards

Colin 

[Eric Mc]

Even if the roundels aren't quite right it still looks great.

 

The location in Ireland was actually GormaNstown.

[Philly1860]

@Eric Mc it's actually Gormanston not town a common mis spelling, located north of Dublin in Co Meath. However,

162 was delivered July 30th 1951 at Baldonnel Aerodrome and entered service (as did all 6 of the Tr 9's the Air Corps had) with 'B' Flight Air Corps Flying Training School at Baldonnel. It was transferred in 1955 to No.1 Fighter Squadron (I think still in Baldonnel but not sure) and withdrawn from use June 6th1960 and transferred to the Technical Training Squadron as an Instructor Airframe.  It was sold in the UK in 1968 and again in 1979 this time to Strathallen Museum.  It was restored to an airworthy condition as G-LFIX.  I don't know current condition or whereabouts.

 

Information from "The Irish Air Corps an Illustrated Guide" Joe Maxwell & Patrick J. Cummins. May 2009 ISBN 978-0-9562624-0-0.

 

I have more info on the Tr 9's and will happily share if you ask.

 

Regards

Colin

Edited February 20 by Philly1860

[davebruce]

I feel your pain, I also did one of these a while back and can confirm that they are a bit tricky to get built up. The canopy is way to thick and needed a lot of thinning down and the lack of locator pins and butt joining wing tips make it tricky to get straight. Yours has turned out lovely though, nice work!

 

Dave

 

[Bell209]

It's no better in 1/48. I did one a few years back and had similar struggles. At least you have one on the shelf (which is what I tell myself everytime I look at mine). Good work!

[jrfischer317]

Great looking kit! What paint did you use for the exterior?

[CH-53D]

Mig88, please pardon us while we hijack your post briefly!  🙂

 

@Philly1860  Colin, I have gathered 44 kits so far to build my IAC fleet.  Waiting in anticipation for Valom to release their recently announced late Anson.  I have completed a staggering total of 2! (Seafire and Hurricane).   And that was before I took an almost 30-year hiatus from modelling when life and children took precedence.  Now I have retired and intend to get cracking again.

I grew up near Baldonnel in the 1960s and '70s, I saw the Air Corps flying regularly, and while I was aeroplane mad anyway, I have always had a soft spot for the IAC.

 

I have gathered kits and MaxDecals sheets over the last couple of decade or so, and have most of what Joe M offered.  I hear he is about to start putting some of the old sheets back into production and introduce some new ones.  I'd be very interested in what you are getting printed, particularly things like the stripes and harps for the ministerial jets (1/72).  I'll happily share your expenses with you to get them made!

I'm in Burnet County (near Austin), where in Texas are you?

 

Cheers

[jrfischer317]

I'd love to hear where you are getting them printed as well. I have a small handful of kits that would benefit from IAC markings. Interested in both 1/72 and 1/48.

 

John

[Philly1860]

I'll let you know once I get them.  If you want to share which ones you are looking for I'll keep an eye out for them too. 

[Giampiero Piva]

Great looking build of an unusual subject. Nice finish too.

 

[georgeusa]

Great looking end result on your Irish Spitfire.  You have turned a so so kit into a beauty.  Just wonderful looking.  And, it is good to see comments from my fellow countrymen (Texans of course) on these threads.  Thanks for sharing your build and the troubles you had.  It helps those of us with these kits in the stash to be forewarned.

[Mig88]

On 20/02/2024 at 17:33, Philly1860 said:

Lovely build Miguel,

 

I too looked at the references I have for IAC aircraft but could not find any showing upper wings of 162. Did find one for 161 and it showed Green pointing inward towards fuselage both sides.  I'm gathering a stash of IAC models, builds to commence once my 1:1 house build is done.  Getting decals is not easy and to this point I am getting some printed in Poland.  Let me know what diameter and kit scale they are for your Spit and I can add a set to my order once we have finalized all the designs.  No guarantee the colour will match.  My stash doesn't include a Tr 9 Spit (well not yet) but does include most of the others.  

 

@CH-53D do you have many IAC kits in your stash and how have you been finding it trying to get the correct Decals?

 

Regards

Colin 

 

On 20/02/2024 at 18:53, Eric Mc said:

Even if the roundels aren't quite right it still looks great.

 

The location in Ireland was actually GormaNstown.

 

On 20/02/2024 at 20:25, davebruce said:

I feel your pain, I also did one of these a while back and can confirm that they are a bit tricky to get built up. The canopy is way to thick and needed a lot of thinning down and the lack of locator pins and butt joining wing tips make it tricky to get straight. Yours has turned out lovely though, nice work!

 

Dave

 

 

On 21/02/2024 at 19:21, Bell209 said:

It's no better in 1/48. I did one a few years back and had similar struggles. At least you have one on the shelf (which is what I tell myself everytime I look at mine). Good work!

 

On 21/02/2024 at 19:37, jrfischer317 said:

Great looking kit! What paint did you use for the exterior?

 

On 22/02/2024 at 06:02, Giampiero Piva said:

Great looking build of an unusual subject. Nice finish too.

 

 

On 22/02/2024 at 17:56, georgeusa said:

Great looking end result on your Irish Spitfire.  You have turned a so so kit into a beauty.  Just wonderful looking.  And, it is good to see comments from my fellow countrymen (Texans of course) on these threads.  Thanks for sharing your build and the troubles you had.  It helps those of us with these kits in the stash to be forewarned.

 

A big thank you to all for your comments and information. I have been following the posts (and no I don't mind the hijacking!) but it has been a busy week I and just didn't have a time to reply properly. As a result, rather than replying case by case, I'll make all my replies here.

 

Colin (@Philly1860). Thank you very much for your offer but I'll decline. Once I call a kit finished, it's done. The few times I've decided to fix something in the paintwork, etc, I almost regretted it as I almost created more problems and besides once you start looking you find more things to fix!

 

@jrfischer317. For the exterior, I used the same paint as the interior! I used Humbrol 78 Cockpit Grey Green. It was a fresh tin and it was very slightly more blue in hue compared to the previous tin I had (lasted for years!), but without anything better at hand I went with it and it came out quite decently.

 

The spelling of the base was taken from the kit's box. Next time I'll know to check up on this to verify on possible errors 😜!

 

@georgeusa. Gladly! I think it's important to share any problems a kit may have precisely to help others from finding out the hard way!

 

Once again, thank you very much to all!

Miguel

 

 

[opus999]

I didn't know enough about the Irish insignia to see they weren't right -- that's too bad.  But, this is a beautiful model nonetheless and I think you did a fantastic job despite all the difficulty.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I recently did a Czech build and got every insignia but one wrong.  I was able to fix all but two

[Mig88]

On 25/02/2024 at 20:20, opus999 said:

I didn't know enough about the Irish insignia to see they weren't right -- that's too bad.  But, this is a beautiful model nonetheless and I think you did a fantastic job despite all the difficulty.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I recently did a Czech build and got every insignia but one wrong.  I was able to fix all but two

 

Thank you very much. As has been commented above, it appears the matter of the positioning of the insignia is open to debate and I have fully accepted the situation and moved on.

Miguel

[F-32]

I've got this one in the stash, I hope it builds up as well as yours