Spitfire PR.XIX 'The last!' - Page 8 - Aircraft of World War II

conkerking · 09-12-2009, 02:51 PM

Evan if you're doing thesuper-detail thing, I have some good colour close up photography of various pits of the XIX (cockpit etc.) that I could scan and e-mail you - maybe you have that but licked but if useful let me know.

A4K · 09-13-2009, 07:51 AM

Mate, that would be fantastic if it's no trouble, thanks!

I've received some great info from Terry showing various cockpit details, which I'll be using in conjunction with the IPMS Stockhom site on the Swedish S.31, but the more angles covered the better!

Have only been able to briefly glance over the kit parts so far, the translation work is taking a long time.
First looks show that she's as John Stone said, though - a kit for experienced modellers. Main wheels will need replacing (moulded out of alignment), and many parts will need a lot of thinning, most noticably the cockpit walls, interior of the mainplanes, and underwing radiators. The air intake will need hollowing out, and the prop assembly is 'interesting' with no way to mount it short of gluing it straight to the cowlings.(I'm going to improvise a mounting for this, so the prop will be removable).
As with the Mk.VIII kit, the instrument panel assembly shows it's Airfix/ Heller Spitfire Mk.1 origins.

Should be alot of fun though, not just your usual 'slap together and paint' kit! Keep ya's posted when I can finally start her!

... Terry, Johnny Houlton's kite (ML407, OU-V) was an LF.IXe according to my sources, so if I do his, it will be in a seperate conversion. My LF.IXc will probably be F/O Patterson's MK732 OU-Q 'Baby Bea IV', which was recoded and renamed OU-U 'Baby Bea V' after invasion bands were applied. (Plan to hopefully enter the D- Day group build with this one)

Airframes · 09-13-2009, 01:20 PM

I think you're probably right Evan, I'd have to check his book, and the serials listings to verify though. Talking of which, have you got, or read, his book 'Spitfire Strikes' ? It's an excellent read - if you haven't got/read it, you can borrow my copy if you wish.

conkerking · 09-13-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A4K

Have only been able to briefly glance over the kit parts so far, the translation work is taking a long time.
First looks show that she's as John Stone said, though - a kit for experienced modellers. Main wheels will need replacing (moulded out of alignment), and many parts will need a lot of thinning, most noticably the cockpit walls, interior of the mainplanes, and underwing radiators. The air intake will need hollowing out, and the prop assembly is 'interesting' with no way to mount it short of gluing it straight to the cowlings.(I'm going to improvise a mounting for this, so the prop will be removable).
As with the Mk.VIII kit, the instrument panel assembly shows it's Airfix/ Heller Spitfire Mk.1 origins.

Speaking as one of the "slap together and paint" brotherhood

I can see this is going to be a seeeerious project... looking forward to being along for the ride!

A4K · 09-14-2009, 03:33 PM

Thanks mate!

(No offence intended to 'out of box' builders, btw!!)

Terry, that would be great mate, thanks! I haven't read his book...
I'm still here at the moment (survived this round of lay-offs), so the address is still good, if it's really no trouble!

conkerking · 09-14-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A4K

(No offence intended to 'out of box' builders, btw!!)

Oi! I have been known to use aftermarket decals... and after grafting a chunk of an Airfix PR XIX into the belly of an MPM PR XI as emergency surgery following my bollocksing up drilling the camera ports I now consider myself a master builder!

conkerking · 09-14-2009, 04:25 PM

And with 100 posts under my belt I am now a "Senior Member". BWAAAAAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAA!

(God they'll let anyone in round here...!)

Airframes · 09-14-2009, 05:12 PM

Leave it with me Evan, and I'll get it off to you later this week, with the two Falklands books, all being well. I suppose you know his Spit is still flying? It's the one the late Nick Grace converted to a 2-seater, now owned and flown by Caroline Grace, and very nice it is too. Johhny had a flight in it, when he came to the UK a few years back.

A4K · 09-15-2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks Terry, that would be great!

I knew Johnny Houlton's kite was still around, in fact his is one of four ex-No.485 (NZ) Sqn. Spitfires still in existance (all Mk.IXs...):

LF Mk.IXe MH350 OU-V, now at the Norsk Luftfartsmuseum at Bodo, Norway, as FN-T;
LF Mk.IXc MJ143 OU-(?), now at the Militaire Luchtvaart Museum at Soesterberg, Holland, as H-1;
LF Mk.IXc MK732 OU-Q, later OU-U, now based at Gilze Rijen, Holland, as 3W-17; and
LF Mk.IXe ML407 OU-V (Johnny Johnson's), now based at Duxford, England, in original codes.

Interesting that all aircraft served with other RAF squadrons and other Air Forces aswell!

Re the XIX build, got some GREAT info today from Tony (thanks again, mate!

) - fills in all the last gaps!!!
(I'll forward it to you aswell Terry and Jon, you'll definitely want to see it..!)

Congratulations on the 100 posts btw, Tony!

Strange..I thought most spammers were usually dealt with fairly quickly..?!

conkerking · 09-17-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conkerking

These are the three Fujimi Mk XIV's I have inbound - top and bottom from Mr. Taiwan (fingers crossed) and middle one from a UK seller whi has confirmed despatch.

OT: Mr. Taiwan came good - the 2 x Fujimi Mk XIV's arrived today, very pleased!

A4K · 09-18-2009, 01:10 AM

Great scores Tony!

Was considering converting their 'After D-day' Mk.XIVe to a PR.XIX as you know, but figure it's better to concentrate on one at a time...?

Started PS888 two days ago. Going completely against tradition, started on the wings(!) -pics over the weekend of progress so far and summary...

conkerking · 09-18-2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A4K

Going completely against tradition, started on the wings(!)

Whut the hail? Now that's jus' crazy talk...

A4K · 09-24-2009, 03:44 AM

Tony...

Bit off the radar at the moment, sorry. Got a few things to deal with.
Will be back in touch soon hopefully once I get my head together.

conkerking · 09-24-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A4K

Tony...

Bit off the radar at the moment, sorry. Got a few things to deal with.
Will be back in touch soon hopefully once I get my head together.

Evan - don't you just hate it when real life gets in the way of sticking silly plastic aeroplanes together?
Hope all is OK with you mate.

A4K · 10-01-2009, 01:15 PM

Thanks mate!

I'm (sort of) back... not the man I was, that's for sure, but it seems he had to drastically change.
'Off with the old, on with the new...'

Keep yas posted on the Spit when I get back to her.

09-13-2009, 07:51 AM	#107
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,851	Mate, that would be fantastic if it's no trouble, thanks! I've received some great info from Terry showing various cockpit details, which I'll be using in conjunction with the IPMS Stockhom site on the Swedish S.31, but the more angles covered the better! Have only been able to briefly glance over the kit parts so far, the translation work is taking a long time. First looks show that she's as John Stone said, though - a kit for experienced modellers. Main wheels will need replacing (moulded out of alignment), and many parts will need a lot of thinning, most noticably the cockpit walls, interior of the mainplanes, and underwing radiators. The air intake will need hollowing out, and the prop assembly is 'interesting' with no way to mount it short of gluing it straight to the cowlings.(I'm going to improvise a mounting for this, so the prop will be removable). As with the Mk.VIII kit, the instrument panel assembly shows it's Airfix/ Heller Spitfire Mk.1 origins. Should be alot of fun though, not just your usual 'slap together and paint' kit! Keep ya's posted when I can finally start her! ... Terry, Johnny Houlton's kite (ML407, OU-V) was an LF.IXe according to my sources, so if I do his, it will be in a seperate conversion. My LF.IXc will probably be F/O Patterson's MK732 OU-Q 'Baby Bea IV', which was recoded and renamed OU-U 'Baby Bea V' after invasion bands were applied. (Plan to hopefully enter the D- Day group build with this one) Last edited by A4K; 09-14-2009 at 03:16 PM.

09-13-2009, 01:20 PM	#108
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11,556	I think you're probably right Evan, I'd have to check his book, and the serials listings to verify though. Talking of which, have you got, or read, his book 'Spitfire Strikes' ? It's an excellent read - if you haven't got/read it, you can borrow my copy if you wish. __________________

09-14-2009, 05:12 PM	#113
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11,556	Leave it with me Evan, and I'll get it off to you later this week, with the two Falklands books, all being well. I suppose you know his Spit is still flying? It's the one the late Nick Grace converted to a 2-seater, now owned and flown by Caroline Grace, and very nice it is too. Johhny had a flight in it, when he came to the UK a few years back. __________________

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09-12-2009, 02:51 PM	#106
conkerking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Notts., UK Posts: 578	Evan if you're doing thesuper-detail thing, I have some good colour close up photography of various pits of the XIX (cockpit etc.) that I could scan and e-mail you - maybe you have that but licked but if useful let me know.

09-14-2009, 03:33 PM	#110
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,851	Thanks mate! (No offence intended to 'out of box' builders, btw!!) Terry, that would be great mate, thanks! I haven't read his book... I'm still here at the moment (survived this round of lay-offs), so the address is still good, if it's really no trouble!

09-14-2009, 04:25 PM	#112
conkerking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Notts., UK Posts: 578	And with 100 posts under my belt I am now a "Senior Member". BWAAAAAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAA! (God they'll let anyone in round here...!)

09-15-2009, 02:59 PM	#114
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,851	Thanks Terry, that would be great! I knew Johnny Houlton's kite was still around, in fact his is one of four ex-No.485 (NZ) Sqn. Spitfires still in existance (all Mk.IXs...): LF Mk.IXe MH350 OU-V, now at the Norsk Luftfartsmuseum at Bodo, Norway, as FN-T; LF Mk.IXc MJ143 OU-(?), now at the Militaire Luchtvaart Museum at Soesterberg, Holland, as H-1; LF Mk.IXc MK732 OU-Q, later OU-U, now based at Gilze Rijen, Holland, as 3W-17; and LF Mk.IXe ML407 OU-V (Johnny Johnson's), now based at Duxford, England, in original codes. Interesting that all aircraft served with other RAF squadrons and other Air Forces aswell! Re the XIX build, got some GREAT info today from Tony (thanks again, mate! ) - fills in all the last gaps!!! (I'll forward it to you aswell Terry and Jon, you'll definitely want to see it..!) Congratulations on the 100 posts btw, Tony! Strange..I thought most spammers were usually dealt with fairly quickly..?!

09-18-2009, 01:10 AM	#116
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,851	Great scores Tony! Was considering converting their 'After D-day' Mk.XIVe to a PR.XIX as you know, but figure it's better to concentrate on one at a time...? Started PS888 two days ago. Going completely against tradition, started on the wings(!) -pics over the weekend of progress so far and summary...

09-24-2009, 03:44 AM	#118
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,851	Tony... Bit off the radar at the moment, sorry. Got a few things to deal with. Will be back in touch soon hopefully once I get my head together.

10-01-2009, 01:15 PM	#120
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,851	Thanks mate! I'm (sort of) back... not the man I was, that's for sure, but it seems he had to drastically change. 'Off with the old, on with the new...' Keep yas posted on the Spit when I get back to her.