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.
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
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 Also, on the kit wing there are two reinforcing strips and a bulge that provided clearance for the tire when the gear was retracted.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.
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.
March Group Build> Spitfire and Seafire
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.
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.
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.
