discussion Nick's Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk XIV.

[Nicko]

This is going to be my entry into the Spitfire 90th Anniversary Group Build. The kit was a new tool in 2019 and I think that I bought it quite soon after release from the only model shop where I live and which is sadly no more. They were mainly a R/C models place, but had a small-ish selection of kits and were also useful for paint and other supplies. Certainly better and a lot cheaper than a certain national chain and the two guys who ran it were friendly and always appreciative of the custom.

According to my records, I have three Airfix 1/48 Spitfires in the stash and this was the first one to surface as I went through the boxes. It will be the first 'bubble-top' Spitfire that I have built and I hope to get started on it next week after a few days away.

Anyway, here's what we're dealing with:



The plastic:






Instructions are the typical Airfix nice and easy to follow:




Schemes - I am planning to do the late war camo...



Decals:



A little more to follow....

Nick

 

[Nicko]

Just to complete the intro to the build, I am adding a modicum of after-market.....



I note the £20.99 price ticket from 2019. Aside from the fact of probably doubling my spend overall with these additions, prices have increased by 50% since then with the latest Airfix Spitfire release, the Mk IXE now being £29.99.

More to come in a week or so I hope.

Nick

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice choice Nicko, with some excellent additions to enhance your build.

 

[Portman]

That's a nice choice - looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[colin m]

Great choice Nicko. I know some people aren't keen on the bubble top Spitfires, but I think they have lovely lines, quite elegant for a war machine.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Nice one Nick.

 

[adt70hk]

Nice. Have this in the stash. Will be happy to see how this goes together.

ATB

Andrew

 

[Nicko]

Thanks for your support Guys. I haven't done much, but a start has been made.

First thing I did was clip the wings....



Wingtips are on the clear sprue and will be looked at in due course. Next, I cleaned up some of the bigger parts to see how she looked...



Looks like some extra care and effort might be needed on that panel in front of the cockpit! Otherwise, the fit seems pretty good. There were a couple of small sink marks in the right-hand fuselage that got the sprue goo treatment. I've had a little play with some small rotary burrs on the exhaust outlets...



And finally, I painted and fitted the radiators. A little filler was used on their inner edges where they mount to the lower wing...



Next up, I'll be starting on the cockpit. Thanks for looking in.

Nick

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice work Nick. My Mk.1 also came with the clear square wing tips on the sprues.

 

[papa 695]

Looking good so far Nick

 

[Nicko]

Thanks Guys. I'm away for the weekend now, but hopefully get a bit more done next week...

Nick

 

[Nicko]

Made a little progress on some of the smaller and internal parts. Just about ready to start getting the airframe together. All pretty smooth so far:









Thanks for looking in.....

Nick

 

[Steven000]

Nice progress Nick, cockpit looks good, will soon look like a Spitfire when all those parts come together. Have fun

 

[yak face]

Great work nick , cockpits looking lovely . I really like the look of the bubble top spitfires , cheers tony

 

[Nicko]

Thanks Guys...

Nick

 

[Geoffers]

Very nice Nick

The cockpit looks great, I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together

Geoff.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Shaping up nicely Nick.