One last Spit kit

[Procopius]

My wife has very sensibly suggested that I wait on purchasing any more model kits until I assemble the (modest by my lights, immense by hers) collection I already have. However, Papal dispensation was obtained for one final kit. I've considered a number, but I wanted the advice of modellers vastly more experienced and skilled than myself. Here's what I've been looking at, all in 1/72:

AZ Models Spitfire XVIII

AZ Models Spitfire 21

AZ Models Spitfire 21 with contraprop

Admiral (same people I know) Seafire 45

Admiral Seafire 46

I've built AZ's Spiteful and have their Seafang, and neither was beyond my (admittedly very limited) abilities. However, I'm open to other suggestions. What are some fun 1/72 kits of (preferably RAF or RN) aircraft I might not have heard of that you'd recommend, or how are any of the above named?

[Miggers]

XVIII,you don't see many done.

It's a good looker with that oh-so-long two stage Griffon engine mated to the leaner,meaner low-back fuselage.

Mark

Edited September 4, 2011 by Miggers

[derek burton]

Gotta agree FRXVIII with Korean war I.D. bands out of Kai Tak (on the Model Alliance decal sheet)

Dek.

[Tailwheel]

Gotta agree FRXVIII with Korean war I.D. bands out of Kai Tak (on the Model Alliance decal sheet)

Dek.

Hi Derek

Anymore info on that ? I've got an Academy XIVe in the stash that I would like to complete as a XVIII but am searching for a scheme that is a little more "inspirational" than the standard RAF camo.

Regards

Dave

[derek burton]

Its on the model alliance sheet #72133 there are pics of the sheet and instructions on hannants and the aviation workshops web sites.

hope that helps,

Dek.

[Tailwheel]

Its on the model alliance sheet #72133 there are pics of the sheet and instructions on hannants and the aviation workshops web sites.

hope that helps,

Dek.

Also available in 48th. (must have missed it !!) Much obliged

Many thanks

Dave

[3DStewart]

I've recently completed a really enjoyable build of Xtrakit's 1:72 Mk 22, which I did in the 1951 Vickers air racing scheme provided in the kit. The kit is well detailed, has generally good fit and very user friendly decals. The all silver finish is distinctive and its nice to add a non belligerent subject to a collection.

Stewart

[Procopius]

I've recently completed a really enjoyable build of Xtrakit's 1:72 Mk 22, which I did in the 1951 Vickers air racing scheme provided in the kit. The kit is well detailed, has generally good fit and very user friendly decals. The all silver finish is distinctive and its nice to add a non belligerent subject to a collection.

Stewart

I have that fellow in my queue as well, actually! I'm glad to hear it goes together well, the Xtrakit Mk XII I did was tricky for me.

[Nigel Bunker]

I suggest you get the old Frog (or derivatives) XIV purely so you can see how far kit design has evolved in the past 40 years. Don't build it, just take it out of the box whenever you think you have a bad kit so you remember what a bad kit really looks like.

[Giorgio N]

Hi Derek

Anymore info on that ? I've got an Academy XIVe in the stash that I would like to complete as a XVIII but am searching for a scheme that is a little more "inspirational" than the standard RAF camo.

Regards

Dave

If you have a low back XIV there are a couple of options that are quite different from the standard RAF camo:

Option 1,simpler: the XIVe used by 11 Sqn. during the occupation of Japan had medium sea grey and dark green uppers with natural metal undersurfaces. On this colour scheme they had smaller size pre-war style roundels.

Option 2, requires a little conversion: the FR.XVIII of 208 Sqn. in Egypt wore for a while a scheme with dark earth and light slate grey uppersurface over medium sea grey undersurfaces. This with standard size post war roundels, red or blue spinners and white individual letters.

[Tailwheel]

If you have a low back XIV there are a couple of options that are quite different from the standard RAF camo:

Option 1,simpler: the XIVe used by 11 Sqn. during the occupation of Japan had medium sea grey and dark green uppers with natural metal undersurfaces. On this colour scheme they had smaller size pre-war style roundels.

Option 2, requires a little conversion: the FR.XVIII of 208 Sqn. in Egypt wore for a while a scheme with dark earth and light slate grey uppersurface over medium sea grey undersurfaces. This with standard size post war roundels, red or blue spinners and white individual letters.

Thanks Giorgio .Could I ask if there are any images of Option2 available ? Any idea if the rocket armed XVIII was ever used operationally ,as this may produce an intresting subject

Kind regards

Dave

[dfqweofekwpeweiop4]

My wife has very sensibly suggested that I wait on purchasing any more model kits until I assemble the (modest by my lights, immense by hers) collection I already have. However, Papal dispensation was obtained for one final kit. I've considered a number, but I wanted the advice of modellers vastly more experienced and skilled than myself. Here's what I've been looking at, all in 1/72:

AZ Models Spitfire XVIII

AZ Models Spitfire 21

AZ Models Spitfire 21 with contraprop

Admiral (same people I know) Seafire 45

Admiral Seafire 46

I've built AZ's Spiteful and have their Seafang, and neither was beyond my (admittedly very limited) abilities. However, I'm open to other suggestions. What are some fun 1/72 kits of (preferably RAF or RN) aircraft I might not have heard of that you'd recommend, or how are any of the above named?

We have all of these kits you mention in stock right now at less than RRP. Click the link at the bottom and have a look!

thanks

Mike

[Giorgio N]

Thanks Giorgio .Could I ask if there are any images of Option2 available ?

Here's one, B/W only but it is known that these planes were in that scheme. TZ233 "T" had a red spinner, TP391 "N" had a blue spinner

http://spitfiresite.com/2007/10/no-208-squ...s-mk-xviii.html

This scheme was introduced in july 1949 as a result of confusion between RAF and Israeli planes, confusion that resulted in the loss of a number of RAF fighjters. It was also used by the Tempests based in the same area.

There are other pictures B/W of these planes and a few years ago I saw a modern colour picture of an engine cowling coming from one of these planes that clearly carried this scheme.

Can't help right now with the rockets on the XVIII, I'll have a look at some references.

[Tailwheel]

Thanks again Giorgio .Maybe one of the decal companies could produce a sheet "Odd Ball Eighteens " .A generally neglected mark , but as we have seen there are many one-off variations .Wishful thinking I know, but could be very intresting ,

Regards

Dave

[Giorgio N]

Dave, decals for the XVIII in desert scheme wre made by Freigtdog in their Brits Abroad Part sheet. They are also included in the AZ kit.

Freightdog did other interesting XVIIIs in other sheets, might be worth looking for them.

I agree that a single sheet with some colourful XVIIIs would be nice ! I believe a couple were done in 1/48 (aeromaster or eagle strike ?), but I can't remember any in 1/72.