Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 (edited) HI all, so what do you do when you want to build a Spitfire mk 18 in 1.48th scale?? Well you can use Aeroclubs conversion set, or assuming you have a 2 stage griffon fuselage left over from their Mk 21 conversion, you can graft it onto Academeys model, and in process you can slim down the overly deep fuselage and wings on that model, to make a better looking Spitfire. In case you are wondering, I used the high back spine and tail from the Mk 21 conversion and grafted it onto the Airfix mk22/24 to make my Mk 21, which left me with the nose and lower mid fuselage. So.... Aeroclub nose and academy tail area mate together using panel lines and the wing fillet as joins: The upper rear decking of the Academy area aslo needs cutting down, as it shows itself to be about 2mm too high when compared to Aeruclubs front ( and I know who I trust out of John Adams and Academy!) You can see the join running along the top rear decking above the camera aperture. Note also the fillet to the forward wing / fuslage join to fill a discrepancy in wing join shapes, and the small blocks of card to act as ledges for the upper wing to sit on. Here's the lower wing showing the fill in needed for the rear fuselage, this is because I kept the Aeroclub wing fillets, which are a nicer shape, but means you cut a bit more from the Academy rear lower fusleage. The Academy wing fits the Aeroclub fuselage very well, but the wing itself is far to thick, so the inside edges of the wings are sanded down to reduce the depth: The blocks attached to the fuselage are used to ensure the wing top fits flush with the aeroclub area, eliminating any steps. Finally - the Academy rudder is modified to represent the broader chord Mk 18 version with the deeper horn balance: And with a bit of tape - heres where I'm at: Cheers Jonners Edited October 10, 2010 by Jon Kunac-Tabinor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlamgat9 Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 JKT, is the Aeroclub conversion available at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 7, 2010 Author Share Posted August 7, 2010 JKT, is the Aeroclub conversion available at all? Hiya - I dont know - given John's current status, you probably need to PM him. If memory serves it was a Mk 14/18 bubble top conversion. Cheers Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Rogers Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 That's some pretty major surgery Jonners, looking good though already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Good work going on here, Jonners. Interesting, too. Am completly lost between good/bad 1/48 spitfire kits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 14, 2010 Author Share Posted August 14, 2010 Righty ho - been rebuilding the cockpit. The Adademy kit has some nice details, but the rear bulkhead wont fit now cus I've reduced the depth of the fuselage. So its out with the plastic card and wire time. I must stress this is in no way meant to be a perfect Spit cockpit - its more of an homage But it should look suitably busy and Spitfire-like. I've also made a new firewall to go forward of the Aeroclub instrument , and I've fashioned some fill in panels to install in the lower pit so you dont see into the wingroot fairings too.... You can see them here with the MK 18 broader chord rudder, which has now been detailed form its first pic in post no1. The kinked trim tab has been added with actuator, and the ribbing re-done using thin strips of plastic card, rubbed down and smoothed in with some thick Mr Srfacer 500 gloop from the bottom of the bottle ( so its perhaps Mr Surfacer 125!), this was then all rubbed down to give a subtle finish. Hopefully I might get some paint on this afternoon. Cheers Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Nice work Jon, nice to see the Academy spit being put to good use. Some satisfying scratch building to boot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Painting the cockpit - really adds some life. The idea is that the colours are a bit hightened so when the rather gloomy Spit-pit is all buttoned up - they will add a bit of zing! The instrument panel is just undercoated - going to go 'old school' here and use a needle to scrtachin the dials Heres a shot of the wing roots - this should all fit nicely now - returning the Academy spit wings to a proper Spitfire like thinness! And finally this evening - a quick tape together reveal the muscular slimness of the MK 18. Sexy or what ( or should I take another dose of the medicine?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Really nice work Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Looking good! You have bucket loads more patience than me. Have you decided on a scheme yet? Wotabout Palestine 1947 (81? Sqn........) Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Belbin Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dads203 Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Doing a nice job again Jonners ( As always ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Looking good! You have bucket loads more patience than me.Have you decided on a scheme yet? Wotabout Palestine 1947 (81? Sqn........) Trevor 208 Sqn Palestine in the dark earth/light slate grey over medium sea grey scheme. Tasty. The scheme was the reason for the build - it will go with my Tempest VI to make a matching pair. Cheers Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Really nice work Jonners Thanks Mish - really into this one. The mark 18 is one of my faves, so I'm aiming to do it some justice. All the best Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 'ansome Jonners......looking forward to seeing this one progress..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Very nice work, great choice of markings, classy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Thanks Mish - really into this one. The mark 18 is one of my faves, so I'm aiming to do it some justice. Looks good so far fella. Lots of cut-and-shut goodness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Rogers Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I agree Jonners, I think the Mk18 has all the right curves in all the right places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) Wow this is great stuff, nice job so far ! Cheers Den Edited August 19, 2010 by spitfire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Looks good so far fella. Lots of cut-and-shut goodness Cut-and-Shut goodness...yeah!!! This is PROPER modelling - Kit bashing at its best, an art that seems to be on the wane!! Lets DO it proper!" . Yep I'm all for that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) Cut-and-Shut goodness...yeah!!! This is PROPER modelling - Kit bashing at its best, an art that seems to be on the wane!! Lets DO it proper!" . Yep I'm all for that!! And actually no harder than prepering a resin part for a conversion anyway. In some ways easier, as its far easier when you are mating plastic to plastic. It is however always nice when the 2 kits you are combining broady fit, for instance the Academy wing chord matches the Aeorclub wing root chord almost exactly - so that prevents a lot of work in 1 major area.( depth wise its a different story of course) For me, its also a big heap of FUN!! which is what the hobby's meant to be about ultimately. Thanks for all the positive comments eveyone! Jonners [edited for rubbish spelling] Edited August 19, 2010 by Jon Kunac-Tabinor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 And actually no harder than prepering a resin part for a conversion anyway. In some ways easier, as its far easier when you are mating plastic to plastic. It is however always nice when the 2 kits you are combining broady fit, for instance the Academy wing chord matches the Aeorclub wing root chord almost exactly - so that prevents a lot of work in 1 major area.( depth wis eits a differnt story ot course)For me, its also a big heap of FUN!! which is what the hobby's meant to be about ultimately. Thanks for all the positive comments eveyone! Jonners Its also more satisfying!! Cross-kitting!! Chopping a nose of one kit adding it to another' Using the parts left over and graft it onto another kit..... Modelling HEAVEN!!! And of course the Spitfire lends itself so well to this, as does the Meteor......but thats another story!!! keep up the good work Jonners!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 20, 2010 Author Share Posted August 20, 2010 bottom, bottom and double bottom. Just discovered I broke the rudder pedals off while painting the IP. I will need to replace them in the morning now. Axemonster, the carpet God has devoured them. I shall regard it as an offering for a trouble free build ( yeah right - I'm well wee weed off, where can I buy carpetcide?) Grrr,,, why I oughta... Jonners, new found fan of lino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share Posted August 21, 2010 fortunately I found the Aeroclub rudder pedals, so all was well!! I bit more early morning work , and the pit is now finshed. The shoulder straps arent glued in palce yet - hence their springy sit. But this is essentially it for the cockpit. Fuselage has now been glued, so all I need to add are the lower sidewall in fill peices. Happy days Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 What kind of harness is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now