discussion Andrew's 1/48 Airfix Spitfire XVIII (A05140)

[adt70hk]

Good morning all

Thanks to Colin for suggesting this....this is hopefully going to be a mojo kickstart, having been laid slow by a nasty viral infection for over two months from just before Christmas. Also apologies not being around as much as I have been in the past, getting decent forum time is not easy for various reasons.

I've not had a chance to do my usual research but yet but as I understand the XVIII was essentially the same as the XIV but with a specifically newly designed/strengthened wing to allow it carry ordnance i.e. bombs and rockets, plus a few other minor modifications. It also missed combat in Europe by a couple of weeks and so only a relatively small number were built - at least in comparison to other marks.

It did though see combat in Malaya and also served with the Indian Air Force, and those are the two marking options you get.

The kit itself is apparently the Airfix XIV kit, plus a sprue for the bombs and rockets. I've found an in-depth build review online and there are couple of fit issues I might need to deal with plus some minor inaccuracies, which I will probably ignore - as they really are pretty minor. The review is here in case you're interested https://www.keymodelworld.com/article/airfix-148-spitfire-mkxviii-full-build.

I'll be doing this OOB and without any additionally detailing in the cockpit e.g. Eduard PE, as I'll be using the pilot and so you won't be able to see most of it with him in there.

I'm also leaning towards the Indian version at the moment because although a rocket firing Spit is very appealing, I will be building plenty of RAF Spits in the future and so Indian markings will be a bit different.

Obligatory box, sprue and destruction shots below.

ACW as usual

Andrew

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[Steven000]

Looks like a beast Andrew, have fun cheers

 

[adt70hk]

Looks like a beast Andrew, have fun cheers

It is indeed Steven. According to the review I found said, there is actually almost no resemblance/common part between this and the Battle of Britain Spits other than a small section of the fuselage underside! Oh and the Griffon engine 'only' generated 2,050bhp!!

Actually made a fair bit of progress today. Will post some pics when I get the chance.

ATB

Andrew

 

[papa 695]

Nice one Andrew, looking forward to seeing you build this one.

 

[flyjoe180]

Great looking kit Andrew. Rocket firing Spitfire sounds good

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Following along Andy.

 

[Ian M]

Not every day you see an Indian Spitfire.

 

[colin m]

A great choice. It's nice to see another bubble top.

 

[Nicko]

Following along Andrew. And as per your intro on the similarity with the Mk XIV, it looks like the plastic is the same other than the clear sprue and the omission of the weapons sprue from the one I'm building.

Nick

 

[adt70hk]

Nice one Andrew, looking forward to seeing you build this one.

Great looking kit Andrew. Rocket firing Spitfire sounds good

Following along Andy.

Not every day you see an Indian Spitfire.

A great choice. It's nice to see another bubble top.

Following along Andrew. And as per your intro on the similarity with the Mk XIV, it looks like the plastic is the same other than the clear sprue and the omission of the weapons sprue from the one I'm building.

Nick

Thanks chaps, glad to have you all on board!!

Ian - that was my thinking exactly, so I have decided to go down that route.....although the fact that it makes doing the prop, spinner and fuselage paint jobs much easier may have been a small factor!

Joe - sorry to let you down on the rockets....that said of course it gives me an excuse to buy another kit for the stash, so I can do that version too!!


Thanks again chaps!!

ATB

Andrew

 

[adt70hk]

Ok chaps, so a quick update.

So some progress shots....albeit actually from last weekend.

A couple of close ups, pre-primer below. Details doesn't look to bad does it. I'm not going to spend a lot of time on the cockpit as the I'll be using the pilot and so a lot it will be hidden.

The other shot is post primer....but since I took this paint of various colours has started to fly this evening.

The good news is that I have a couple of days off next week and so hopefully I will be able to make some good progress.

ACW as usual.

ATB

Andrew

 

[Ian M]

The office looks quite well Andrew.

 

[yak face]

Just caught this one andrew , easy to miss some when theres so many spits flying around at the moment!
Looks a really nice kit , be great to see the indian markings too

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Some nice crisp detail in there Andrew.

 

[adt70hk]

The office looks quite well Andrew.

Thanks Ian, It's not too bad as a starting point. There are a few more bits and pieces to add in but as I said, with the pilot going in there's no point in overboard and besides, I want this to be a nice quick OOB build.

Just caught this one andrew , easy to miss some when theres so many spits flying around at the moment!
Looks a really nice kit , be great to see the indian markings too

Tony, no problem at all. I couldn't believe how many were being done when I saw the GB come up. And as you say, I thought Indian markings would be a bit different.

As I said to Joe though, the thought of a rocket firing Spit was very tempting!!! Maybe I'll have to invest in this kit again at some point in the future!

Some nice crisp detail in there Andrew.

It's not bad is it Steve! Let's hope I can do it some justice!!


Thanks again chaps.

ATB

 

[Ian M]

Thanks Ian, It's not too bad as a starting point. There are a few more bits and pieces to add in but as I said, with the pilot going in there's no point in overboard and besides, I want this to be a nice quick OOB build.

I know the feeling. Spend a small fortune on bling swear and curse installing it all and never see them again. My ongoing Seafire the cockpit is black grey. (as many if not all newer RN aircraft have). So OOB it is then lol.

 

[Jim R]

Nice choice. The Indian airforce had Spitfires - I've learned something new.

 

[adt70hk]

I know the feeling. Spend a small fortune on bling swear and curse installing it all and never see them again. My ongoing Seafire the cockpit is black grey. (as many if not all newer RN aircraft have). So OOB it is then lol.

Nice and simple! Sometimes I think we overcomplicate things with this hobby!

 

[adt70hk]

Nice choice. The Indian airforce had Spitfires - I've learned something new.

Thanks Jim. Good to have you on board!!

As for the Indians and Spitfires, I must admit I didn't either but I did know for some reason that they also had Temest IIs, as did the nacent Pakistan Air Force....and at the same time. Eduard do a limited Edition boxing with both markings.

Thanks again for stopping by

ATB

Andrew

 

[adt70hk]

OK chaps, so just a short update...actually from the beginning of the week but not had a chance to post the pics until now

Cockpit, seat and IP painted. Just need to assemble it all. As I said not going overboard, what with the pilot going in....I'll just do a pin wash.

Prop and spinner also done. The Indian version has a nice simple black spinner to match the props and so thought I might as well get it out of the way now, given that I had to paint the IP black.

Pilot has been given his pre-paint black wash ahead of painting. As you can see (through the slightly blurry pic - sorry), he's not too bad.....certainly much better than the usual 1/72 offering you get.

Since I took these I've started on the pilot, and the IP and prop decals are currently bedding down as we speak.

I've also found an in-depth build review on one the better known review sites, which is helping with the process.

ACW as usual.

ATB

Andrew