Author Topic: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire  (Read 97444 times)

Offline No.1

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March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« on: March 02, 2012, 03:29:42 PM »
Lets start new work- Spitfire :)) My kit is teh Italeri kit in 1/72 scale, no idea about the accuracy but it look like easy to build.

Offline Second Air Force

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2012, 05:26:00 PM »
Here's my project. It looks like I'll have to convert to the C wing for the Seafire markings I'm planning. The decal sheet was purchased for another project and these are the "leftovers".
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_8696.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9400.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9401.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire

Offline No.1

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2012, 05:43:16 PM »
This one look better then mine, at least in level of accuracy :)

Offline Second Air Force

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2012, 05:48:40 PM »
My Seafire idea has hit a snag. I'll be re-researching my markings options......hopefully I can do something a little different anyway!

Offline draken35

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2012, 05:51:25 PM »
...And here is mine: Spitfire MK II of the (Belgian) 350th Sqn.

Kit is Tamiya 1/72 Spitfire MK I, with conversion MK II from 3D-Kits; Aires cockpit interior; True details wheels; Eduard masks; and Syhart decals...

Offline No.1

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2012, 06:04:21 PM »
Powerful material!!!

Offline Sall

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2012, 06:13:21 PM »
 :-ok

Offline Second Air Force

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2012, 06:14:49 PM »
Indeed, draken! Very nice collection for your machine.

Offline Second Air Force

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2012, 07:19:18 PM »
Typical Tamiya detail and fit here. I'm at a fork in the road at this point, however. If I build a Seafire I must convert the wing to C configuration. If I go out-of-box I need to source some decals. The B to C conversion doesn't look too hard so I think I'll attack the wings next.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9405.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire

Offline Second Air Force

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2012, 04:34:09 AM »
There is something about building models that is always constant--I never know as much about a subject as I need to!

The Seafire IIc that I decided to build is quite a lot different than the Tamiya Spitfire Vb that comes from the box. After much research in various publications and on the web I finally began converting the wings. The kit wing has the cannon fairings in the wrong places for the C wing I needed. So, first of all, I filled the bulged areas inside the wing with CA glue and let this harden. Then the Dremel tool, files, and sandpaper removed the fairings on the outside. You can also see that Tamiya molded the wheel well openings in a somewhat oval shape. Before gluing the top and bottom panels together I'll use a small diameter Dremel sanding drum to make these round. 
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9408.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9407.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire


Here is the process on the upper wings. First the cannon fairing is removed. Also, on the kit wing there are two reinforcing strips and a bulge that provided clearance for the tire when the gear was retracted. These also are removed as the C wing didn't have them. The un-needed bumps and blisters are marked on the top panel and removed on the lower.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9411.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire


Once the fairings were removed I needed to construct new, larger, teardrop fairings that were large enough to accomodate the two cannon option for the C wing. The best way to do this was to use two bomb halves from the spares bin and simply cut them at an angle to get the fairing shape I wanted.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9415.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9416.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire


Here are both fairings installed. Later will be added a short cannon fairing for the second gun position. Some other panels will be scribed and one of the .303 guns must be moved outboard one rib.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9417.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire


Also the Seafire IIc I am constructing had a four blade Rotol propeller. I dug through the spares and other Spitfire kits I had but there were no good matches. So.....I filled two of the blade openings in the kit three-blade spinner and will add three new ones. The blade was quite easy. I simply went in the junk bin and found a blade that was a bit oversize (I think from a Skyraider prop) and filed it to the correct dimensions to match the Rotol blades in the kit.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9406.jpg
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire


Next will be the fuselage. This needs some reinforcing doublers added to the skin. The arresting hook and catapult spools also must be scratchbuilt.

Offline No.1

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2012, 06:30:07 AM »
Conversions become your main brand :-ok

Offline Second Air Force

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2012, 06:48:03 AM »
Yep. I wanted to build this one out-of-the-box, too...... :-roll  Then, the Seafire decals kept tempting me, and the next thing you know I'm scratchbuilding again. :-help

The wings are now assembled so I can move the .303 opening and then add the stub fairing for the second cannon mount. A hint for others who might do this modification to the 1/48 Tamiya wing is in order: When you remove the small wheel fairing bump in the inner wing be careful to also fill the cavity on the inside of the top wing panel. This is visible in the wheelwell after assembling the wing and is easily filled only before gluing the wing panels.

Offline draken35

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2012, 09:38:21 AM »
Excellent!!!

Offline No.1

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2012, 10:16:26 AM »
My part of the game...

Offline draken35

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Re: March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2012, 10:57:32 AM »
:-ok