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...