Spitfire PR XIX references for converting PCM XIV into a PR bird

[Collin]

I really want to convert my 1/32 PCM Spit XIV into a PR XIX (in flight).  Wing panels, camera ports, some extra vents need to be added/removed/corrected.  I'm not looking for 100% perfection, but desiring the best reference sites you all know about to help be in this journey.  

 

Thanks in advance all.

 

Cheers

Collin

[Don McIntyre]

Pick up a 1/48 Airfix PR.19 to serve as a reference?

[MikeC]

The PR 19 had the "d" wing, basically the same as a PR XI. The camera installation was pretty much the same as well, but do remember that cameras were only installed immediately prior to flight, and removed on landing so the film could be processed.

Not all were pressurised. I have a note of which serials were concerned,  but that's going to take some looking for.

But to do a 19 from a XIV is, imo, very feasible.

 

[Collin]

57 minutes ago, Don McIntyre said:

Pick up a 1/48 Airfix PR.19 to serve as a reference?

It's sitting on my work shelf in front of me. 

[Troy Smith]

1 hour ago, Collin said:

I really want to convert my 1/32 PCM Spit XIV into a PR XIX

AIMS do a PR XI conversion

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIMS32P027?

 

Most of which is applicable to a PR XIX,  the early PR XIX is basically a Griffon engined PR XI

Later PR XIX are pressurised,  which would be a bit more work.

 

@Aims  maybe be able to add more, the set is for the Revell Spitfire IX kit, so you you would need to adapt it,  but does have all the camera ports etc

 

HTH

T

[FG2Si]

I started a PR XIX conversion from the PCM kit. I used an Alley Cat PR XI conversion for the relevant PR bits. The instructions show which panel lines to scribe and which to fill in the wing. Also included is a template to assist in scribing the circular panels on the lower wing. 

 

One thing that I didn't like and is part of the reason the build is stalled is the overly thick replacement windscreen. 

 

The AIMS one is vac so much better in clarity and thickness. I haven't tried fitting it yet though. 

 

[Bedders]

Worth a look on Large Scale Planes for this kind of thing. For example:

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/55332-from-xiv-to-xix-recce-spitfire-end-of-the-story/page/3/

 

Justin

[MikeC]

12 hours ago, Troy Smith said:

Most of which is applicable to a PR XIX,  the early PR XIX is basically a Griffon engined PR XI

Yes and no - the first, unpressurised, PR XIX batch started on the production line as XIVs, and were repurposed as XIXs while wip. The PR fit was essentially the same as the XI.

Edited November 5 by MikeC

[MikeC]

14 hours ago, MikeC said:

Not all were pressurised. I have a note of which serials were concerned, 

Found it, in my notes, which are a random set of Spitfire info snippets taken from various sources, including occasional correspondence with the late Edgar Brookes.  The unpressurised PR XIXs were those with serials starting RM--- & PS--- .  Anyting else was pressurised.  The difference is also recognisable by the canopy differences and the intake for the pressurisation on the nose, under the exhausts.

Edited November 5 by MikeC

[Giorgio N]

14 hours ago, Troy Smith said:

AIMS do a PR XI conversion

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIMS32P027?

 

Most of which is applicable to a PR XIX,  the early PR XIX is basically a Griffon engined PR XI

 

 

 

Kind of true from a modelling point of view but the real XIX was a bit different. All XIXs are in a sense "hybrids" between the original Spitfire structural design and the stronger Mk.VII/VIII/XIV. The XIXs featured a Mk.XIV fuselage with a spar flange attachment modified to fit the "original style" wing. Wings were based on the PR.XI's but modfied in a number of aspects. Cooling system was that of the XIV and so were other systems.

When finally introduced, the pressurised compartment was based on the Mk.VII, that shared with the XIX the same stronger fuselage elements.

 

Of course as modellers this is of little interest as the external differences are what matters to us regardless of how the internal structure may have been. In the end for most of us the main differences between a XIV and a XIX would be:

- different panel lines on the wings

- bulges for the pumps in the wings (IIRC these changed over the production)

- long ailerons instead of the short used on the XIV

- curved windscreen

- cameras

The pressurised variants would also have a different hood and rear clear section, with all that this means in terms of changes to the fuselage (no access door, rails for the hood etc), intake for the pressurisation system, different bulkheads in the cockpit.

As usual, check the various antennas, they may have been different at some point