LF IXe, 5531, Air Operations School, AFS Langebaanweg, SAAF, May 1953

The South African Air Force was a long time user of the Spitfire. Almost from the earliest marks. I seem to have a few SAAF aircraft, Spitfires and Hurricanes, on my shelf and it's probably due to a combination of subject and color. Typically their national markings had the red replaced with orange, and of course later the gazelle was put in the center.

And their camouflage schemes were sometimes non-standard in that they used paints more appropriate to their mission and surroundings.

The Subject

The AOS was generally used in an operational training role, teaching pilots in other types what it be like when bounced by their adversaries. Given the timeframe I admit that I'm putting 2+2 and getting 5 -- I'd like to think these Spitfires were used to mimic Yak 9 fighters the SAAF pilots might have faced over Korea.

So I fancy the idea of Spitfires and Mustangs in 1v1, 2v1, and 2v2 mock engagements over Langebaanweg operating areas; then the Mustangs deploying off to Korea for operations. These LF Mk IXe were used from about 1948-1953. Some online and decal sources call these aircraft Mk XVI because they are rear view aircraft, but in actuality the only aircraft provided to SAAF were LF Mk IXe, both standard and rear view, with pointed/broad chord rudders.

I don't know the original serial number of 5531, but it was one of a batch of 136 provided to the SAAF just after the war.

The Model

This was meant to be a quick build, one of many Heller XVI kits I've got in my stash, picked up for about $2 each at swap tables. The Heller kit is fairly accurate, the only real issues are raised panel lines, sparse decals in the cockpit and wheel bays and the radiator baths are too deep.

The radiator baths are the most obvious fix that must be done. The other details were not an issue for me; I wanted to display this model in flight so the wells would be covered up and the cockpit would have a pilot in it, hiding any detail that might have been added.

The fix for the radiators is really straight forward. Cut them off, then glue them back on. Generally the thickness of most razor saws is enough to compensate for their deepness. It appears the the baths are more accurate for a Griffon Spitfire, and may have been an error introduced when Heller was researching the Belgian Spitfires, who had a mix of XVI and XIV airframes. At any rate, the Heller kit looks wrong if these are left alone, but if corrected it becomes a very attractive model.

I took care to ensure I didn't lose much of the raised detail, and replaced any I'd lost due to seam filling. The pilot and raised landing gear are from an Airfix Mk IXc kit.

The scheme is Extra Dark Sea Grey over Medium Sea Grey. I used Humbrol paints, a mix for the EDSG (to a tin of Hu123, add 1 ml Hu34 + 0.5 ml Hu25) and Hu165 for the MSG. The spinner is Hu25. Acrylics throughout, applied via airbrush.

The decals are from AlleyCat, sheet 72009. They went on quite well using Revell's Decal Soft.

The clear stand is from Airfix.

Summary

Another enjoyable build. Very easy and different on my shelf. The club theme was "Korean War" -- any subject from that conflict. This was a stretch, but I'd already done the FR.47 Seafire.

Thanks for looking...

Spitfires in Space

Okay, how strange can that be? Well, if you follow Dr Who then anything is possible.

It seems that back in the 2010 season there was an episode where the Daleks are watching humans during the Battle of Britain; and in a bit of alternative history, the Battle is raging on into the mid-40's with no US or USSR involvement in the war. In other words, both sides seem to be stuck and it's because of the Daleks, one is led to believe.

At any rate, there is of course some sort of death ray, a robot who doesn't realize he's not human, the Dr in a frenzy to save humanity, but of course to me the star of the show was not the Dr, or the beautiful companion, but the Spitfire that plays a crucial part in, yes, saving Britain once again at her darkest hour.

The Aircraft

A basic Mk IXc, (so it must be 1943 or 1944) modified to 1) operate in the vacuum and zero gravity of space; and 2) fitted with laser cannons because we all know the 20mm Hispanos won't work in space and would be ineffective against the death ray.

Okay, that last bit is true Dr Who, requiring we suspend physics just a bit as well as some common sense. I mean gee whiz, if we can make an aspirated Merlin, unpressurized cockpit, and a FLYING machine work in a vacuum with no gravity, then surely we can make a 20mm cannon work...but then again that wouldn't be as cool would it?

Modifications include a "gravity bubble generator" behind the cockpit (located on frame 12) that not only provides the necessary gravity to offset lack of lift from the wing but also the atmosphere for both the engine and cockpit. Additionally the inboard cannon were removed (but mechanisms retained to allow "normal" use inside the atmosphere) and the outboard bay has the laser cannon. There is a bulge for it, and it's a bit bigger than a standard bulge.

It appears only 3 airframes were modified. Only 1 survived the attack on the Dalek space ship. It was piloted by an unnamed pilot, who's call sign was "Danny Boy". His aircraft was MK392, JE-J. But instead of a Canadian maple leaf under the wind screen there was a large Union Jack with the Wing Commander's pennant just forward on the right side.

Since this either pre-dates the D-Day invasion, or supersedes it, then no identification stripes were on the airframe.

The Model

Hmm, so which kit could I use...oh right! The Airfix Mk IXc kit (A02065) not only has the basic kit, but also the right decals (with exception of the Union Jack).

The mods I made were to remove the cannon bulges and replace with larger Mk Vb cannon bulges over the outboard cannon breech. I then found suitable beads from a craft shop to replicate the laser cannon "barrels" and put stubs on the inner cannons. I then put a piece of clear sprue at frame 12 and painted it to resemble the gravity generator from the show.

The show's Spitfire attack sequence is all very quick, and shifts back and forth between the Dr, Sir Winston Churchill in his bunker and the Spitfires during their attack. I was able to pull some stills from the video, but they are not as clear as I'd like. So I used some artistic license.

I completed the model in a flying mode, since there are no photographs of the modified MK392 on the ground (must have been really top secret you know).

Other than the Union Jack, this model is complete, which is why I'm blogging it. I haven't found the Jack yet but I'm looking, albeit not hard.

I brush painted the entire model. I wanted to see how well I could do with a brush painted base coat (the Sea Grey, Medium) with the Ocean Grey and Dark Green on top of that. I did air brush the Sky band and spinner, because I was painting another Spitfire's undersides at the time...

The yellow leading edge was the most difficult. It actually covered well, but was just a bear to get right. Ultimately I ended up sanding it back down and starting over, but instead of masking just painted the edge freehand.

All paints are Humbrol Acrylics. Sky is Hu90 with 2ml of Hu34 added to the pot and a drop of Hu40. Dark Green is Hu116. Sea Grey Medium is Hu165; Ocean Grey is Hu106. I added a bit of Windsor & Newton flow improver to the mixing tray (not into the pot) as I brushed it on and while it took a few coats it looked right after the 2nd, but looked great after the 3rd coat. Not as smooth as an air brush finish, but then again I didn't use the air brush.

Summary

This was a very fun build. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took me back to my early days when models were about imagination. Not quite a weekend build, but it did go quickly. The most difficult aspect (apart from the Union Jack decal) is the right bead for the laser cannon barrels.

This was for a theme in our club of "Science Fiction". Any subject that was science fiction; either book, film or television. What's left for the Spitfire?

Thanks for looking...