Spitfire Mk III Redux

Back in 2011 I got excited about building a Spitfire F MK III.  Why?  It’s a unique mark that is as unique as K5054 or the Speed Spitfire (K9834).  It also marks the transition from the early Mk I/II series to more significant Spitfires that came later -- The Mk IX/XVI and ultimately the Griffon series.  Many improvements developed for the Mk III were implemented on these later variants.

In my first post on the subject, I summarized my understanding (at the time) of these airframes.  Attempting to model the radiator as a first step, I stalled when I began to learn more details and ultimately other projects came to the fore.  Sounds familiar...

What I think I know today

References: Britmodeller Forum 1, Britmodeller Forum 2, Spitfire the History

Prototype only, 2 examples built. 

N3297 was originally to be a Mk I, but the serial number was allocated as a “Superiority Spitfire” and built to the initial Mk III configuration with a Merlin XX engine. It was tested by 11 Group Fighter Command to late June, 1940. From September to February 1941 it was modified and tested in a second configuration based on 11 Group feedback with a standard wing. Then from March to September 1941 it was modified yet again with a Merlin 61 engine and later became the Mk IX prototype. 

Configuration 1:

• Merlin XX engine
• Lengthened cowl (4")
• Short span "a" wings (cut to rib 19, not just removal of tip)
• de Havilland prop, 11' diameter
• Retractable tail wheel
• Main landing gear covers (similar to K5054)
• Speed Spitfire (K9834) oil cooler
• Speed Spitfire (K9834) radiator

Some key notes on this initial configuration.  While I’m confident of the Speed Spitfire oil cooler, there is only a passing reference to use of the Speed Spitfire radiator in StH, Supermarine noting its use, already, in the Speed Spitfire.  In parallel to initial construction of N3297, the Speed Spitfire was flying with a modified Merlin and a cooling system greatly modified (enlarged) from the existing Mk I.  Since Supermarine and Rolls-Royce both knew the Merlin XX would need greater cooling it stands to reason they would use their experience with the Speed Spitfire as the starting point.  What amplifies this thought (theory really) is their obvious use of the oil cooler developed for the Speed Spitfire.  

While the larger radiator on the Speed Spitfire is deeper, and contains an interesting contour, no photo exists of it actually installed on the Mk III.  Debate favors a more radical design with boundary layer splitter, however I believe that to be a later development, more probably during her second configuration (if then), and possibly on W3237 only.

Secondly, StH refers to 4 different props considered for the initial configuration, but specifically states the DH prop as configured when tested.  Some contend the Rotol prop was used during this testing, but StH clearly states the Rotol was installed when N3297 was rebuilt.

Configuration 2 (as configuration 1 but with):

• Standard "a" wings
• 3 Blade, Rotol constant speed prop, 10' 9" diameter (Mk V standard)
• "New" radiator (not much detail on this)

Of particular note this reconfiguration was in direct response to Fighter Command’s preference for lower wing loading (they did not like the short span wings).  StH makes it clear the radiator was also changed, but to what configuration is not clear.  In parallel to W3237 (Spring 1941) StH discusses radiator testing, but it is not clear if that is on W3237 alone or additionally on N3297 (which by Spring of 1941 had gone to Rolls-Royce for another rebuild with the Merlin 61).

Configuration 3 (as configuration 2 but with):

• Merlin 61 engine (I believe length now 31' 3.5")
• Individual ejector exhausts (fishtail)
• 4 Blade, Rotol prop, 10' 9" diameter (Mk IX standard)
• Radiator probably of Mk XII type, but may have been one of the designs tested on W3237. 

At this point N3297 is beginning to look more like a Mk VIII or IX, and is considered the prototype Mk IX by early 1942.  There is never any mention of N3297 getting Mk IX type radiators, so my theory is that while testing of radiators on W3237 was ongoing, eventually something that may have looked like the deeper Mk XII radiator may have been installed.  To underscore this theory, the Mk IV (Griffon prototype) had morphed into the Mk XII prototype by this time (via a short stint as a Mk XX) and probably enjoyed the same developments in the radiator.

W3237 was similarly taken from Mk V production and built to take the Merlin XX engine, being delivered in June 1941. Eventually this airframe tested a number of technologies, resulting mainly in radiator configurations, canopy/windscreen configurations and the "c" wing design.   Apparently it was delivered with a "c" wing. Essentially it's configuration was basically a Mk Vc but with a longer cowl (4"), and depending on date could have had short, standard, or long span wings, Mk V windscreen or rounded windscreen, early Mk V or later bulged canopy, and most critically various radiator configurations. 

Since W3237 was used extensively for testing well into 1944 or even later (like N3297) I believe her radiator probably stabilized on a Mk XII design as well.  So that by sometime in 1942 she looked like a short nosed Mk XII with standard rudder and Merlin XX engine.

Paint schemes

For some reason Morgan & Shacklady, in StH, decided to note the color of N3297 in Spring/Summer 1940 as “egg shell”.  Additionally, they included a color profile of yellow topsides and black/white wings on the undersides.  While an interesting scheme it defies logic.  Besides not knowing the shade of “egg shell” (although my wife knows!) it is inconceivable that a Spitfire with 11 Group would be painted yellow on its topsides in 1940 when no other aircraft (besides trainers) would have been painted thusly.  “Egg shell” probably refers to the finish (smooth) not the color.

Debate seems to agree the more likely scheme during Spring/Summer 1940 for N3297 was the standard Fighter Command scheme of Dark Earth/Dark Green topsides over Aluminum undersides, but with Night/White wings.  

When rebuilt in the Fall 1940, agreement is around a Dark Earth/Dark Green topsides over Yellow undersides.  By the end of 1941, N3297 was likely in Dark Green/Ocean Grey over Yellow, with a yellow P in circle behind the roundel.

W3237 was probably delivered in standard Dark Earth/Dark Green topsides over Yellow undersides, and likely repainted by the end of 1941 in Dark Green/Ocean Grey over Yellow, again with a yellow P in circle behind the rounded.

Thanks for reading...

America's First WW2 Ace

Spitfire IIa, P7308/XR-D, 71 "Eagle" Squadron, 27 August 1941

There were a lot of firsts with this kit.  It was my first Airfix new tooling Spitfire Mk I, my first attempt at Spitfire IFF aerials and my first 3D-Kits upgrade.  Well, I guess all that is not really very special, but I approached this build with all this specifically in mind.

Plus, I wanted to make it for the 70th anniversary of Bill Dunn's achieving a first, as the first American Ace of World War Two.  Granted, he achieved this as a member of the Eagle Squadron flying for the RAF in late August 1941.

I built this model in the Summer of 2011, completing it mid-August.

The Subject

Pilot Officer Bill Dunn joined the RAF in late 1940, after just over a year with the Canadian Army.  After completing training in April 1941, he joined 71 "Eagle" Squadron, made up of mainly American expats prior to the entry of the US in the war.  Between May and August 1941 Bill Dunn shot down 5 German aircraft to become the first American ace.  

On 27 August, while flying P7308/XR-D, Bill Dunn returned to North Weald at the end of a mission and crash landed.  His injuries were severe and after 3 months hospitalization and 3 months leave he served as an instructor pilot in Canada and then transferred to the USAAF in June 1943.  While with the 53rd Fighter Group he flew P-47's.

Ultimately Bill Dunn completed the war with 6 official kills, served with the USAAF and USAF until 1973 when he retired.  He had some very interesting assignments post-war, including flying and fighting with the Nationalist Chinese in 1947-1949.

P7308 is a Spitfire F Mk IIa, the notable difference to the Mk I is the addition of the Coffman starter, which resulted in a visible bulge on the lower right of the engine cowling.

P7308 was delivered in the Temperate Land Scheme, Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky undersides.  It sported the standard markings of the time, Sky fuselage band and Sky spinner with Medium Sea Grey codes.  In early August 1941 it received a repaint in the new Day Fighter Scheme of Dark Green/Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey undersides.  The Sky band and spinner were retained and the codes are Sky.  Of note, the timing of this subject is before the yellow identification bands on the leading edge of the wings and before the National Markings were altered.

The Model

As mentioned above, this is the new Airfix tooling of the Mk Ia from 2009.  It was initially difficult to obtain here in the US and in late 2010 I finally got my first copy.  In the meantime 3D-Kits had released a Mk I/IIa update with an improved seat, stick, Rotol propellor/spinner and bulge for the IIa as well as appropriate decals.

I built the kit per the 3D-Kit modifications and decided to plan appropriately for installing the IFF aerials.  That is the only really unique aspect of this build.  I measured the distance back from the panel line representing the station aft of the radio access hatch and drilled two small holes opposite each other on the fuselage sides.  

I built the model to include paint and decals, and planned to put the canopy on very last.  For the aerials I first superglued one end in a deepened groove that is the gap between the horn balance and horizontal stabilizer.  After that had set I then threaded the wires (actually just invisible thread) through the fuselage and fished them with tweezers out through the cockpit.  After pulling them tight I applied a small drop of superglue and set it.  After fully cured I snipped the excess and then glued the canopy on.

For painting I used Humbrol enamels: The Sky (90) band on the tail went first, was masked with tape, then Ocean Grey (106) went on.  I masked using Miskit liquid frisket and then painted on the Dark Green (116).  After removing the masks to confirm no bleed-through, I remasked and sprayed the underside Medium Sea Grey (165).  I prefer Humbrol's Ocean Grey as it has that blue tinge to it, but is not an overpowering blue-gray like Tamiya XF-82 or Model Master RAF Ocean Grey.  Both of those latter colors really seem more like grayish blues, not a gray with a blue tinge.

Weather was attempted and this is yet another failure at it.  I shall persist and someday get it right.

The 3d-Kits decals went on perfectly using Micro-Sol and Set.

Thanks for reading...

Hobby Boss Spitfire Vb

EP312/D-K, Wing Commander Dereck Kain, Edku, Egypt, 1944

This is a model I completed back in April 2011.  I purchased the Hobby Boss kit not knowing the goods or others regarding accuracy, fit, detail, et cetera.  As with most Hobby Boss kits, this one had some things not quite right.  

I approached the build from the perspective of a learning experience.  My objective was to correct where possible (er, within my skills), and expand my weathering abilities just a bit.

The Subject

W/C Kain served with the RAF beginning in 1935; flying missions over France, Dunkirk and during the Battle of Britain.  He was commander of 229 Squadron over Malta and 127 Squadron in the Western Desert.  Ultimately he transferred to the RNZAF in 1944 and was Station Chief at RAF Edku, Egypt.

During his assignment in Egypt, Ju-86P high altitude reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nile Delta region.  The RAF was routinely attempting to intercept these aircraft and heavily modified Spitfire Vb and IX were used.  Ultimately through weight reduction, drag reduction and engine performance increases one of the modified Spitfires was able to intercept and engage a Ju-86P.  This ended their reconnaissance flights as the danger was now too great.

Spitfire Vb EP312 is one of those modified aircraft.  The modifications known to have been done are:

• Aboukir tropical filter
• Engine improvements, to include separate exhaust ejector stubs
• Very smooth paint, near gloss

This particular aircraft was probably used mainly to escort the more modified Spitfire, which usually also had the radio and IFF removed, only 2x .50 caliber guns with limited ammunition, and no paint.  It was one of these, Spitfire IX MA504, that W/C Kain flew to 47,000 feet (the subject of a future build!).

The Model

As mentioned above, this kit has issues like most Hobby Boss kits in the Easy Build range.  In this case, they are:

• Poor cockpit detail (not an issue for me)
• Cockpit canopy too high in profile
• No main landing gear doors (!?)
• Prop is inaccurate for any Spitfire

I corrected the prop via the Quickboost Rotol prop and the main landing gear doors came from a donor Revell Vb kit.  I also replaced the landing gear and wheels with resin ones from my spares box (CMR Seafire III kit).  The Aboukir filter came from the Italeri Mk Vb kit, and the exhausts came from the Italeri Mk IX kit (a good source of spares).

I chose not to replace the canopy.  It turns out most of my spares didn't fit very well and looked worse than just using the kit canopy.  I even attempted a vac canopy, but that would have revealed the inadequate cockpit so I stuck with the kit.

The scheme is standard Western Desert for 1944: Temperate Land Scheme above with Azure Blue undersides.  For the pain I used Humbrol 29 for the Dark Earth, followed by Humbrol 116 for the Dark Green.   There is no real good match for Azure Blue, so I used Model Master Azure Blue but with about 10 drops of deep red added; it seems to put just the right amount of red into the Azure to give it that purple caste most out-of-the -bottle paints lack.

I used Ad Astra Masks for the D-K lettering.  I had to paint these instead of using decals because 1) no decals are available; and 2) they are non-standard.  They worked wonderfully and I'm continually looking for projects that can take advantage of these masks.

At the time of building I was not aware the subject should be so glossy.  So I attempted some weathering (which it should NOT have) and while it was okay, I knew I had to improve.

It was still an easy build, fairly quick and very enjoyable.  Will I build another Hobby Boss Spitfire?  Probably not, given I spent the equivalent of the kit in upgrades to get it acceptable, albeit not accurate.

Thanks for reading...

Unmanned

Frog Spitfire XIVe & V-1

This was purchased as the Novo kit, but as we all know it's really the old Frog molding.  The theme is "Unmanned" -- Any subject representing an unmanned vehicle, drone, remotely piloted, missile -- you get the picture.  Since I wanted this to be a Spitfire topic I decided to build this venerable kit.

The Subjects

Spitfire F Mk XIVe
Rooted in the prototype Griffon engined mark, F Mk IV, and an interim type at that, it was the most produced variant of the Griffon series of Spitfires.  Essentially, while the F Mk IV was being developed, ultimately into the F Mk XX & 22/24 series, Supermarine mated the Griffon to the F Mk VIII airframe.  Unlike the F Mk XII, the F Mk XIV had a slightly (4 inches) longer nose to house the two-stage supercharger, 5 bladed prop to harness the added power, and a broad chord fin and rudder.

Additionally, like the two-stage Merlins, the F Mk XIV required larger radiator baths to house the intercooler as well as the oil cooler and radiators.  The retractible tail wheel was standard.

Initially built with the "c" wing of 2x 20mm cannon and 4x .303 guns, the F Mk XIVe had the strengthened wing supporting 2x 20mm cannon and 2x .50 guns.

The Frog F Mk XIVe represents serial RM619/AP*D; 130 Squadron RAF flying anti "Diver" missions against the V-1 buzz bombs in October, 1944.  My references indicate 130 Squadron may have flown an anti-Diver mission or two, but by October Divers were rare and 130 was mainly focused on ground-attack missions as part of 2 TAF.

V-1
The V-1 Buzz Bomb is essentially the world's first cruise missile.  While designed by Germany as a vengeance weapon against Great Britain, more specifically London, its use began in June 1944 and lasted until the launch sites and launch aircraft were overrun by Allied forces in October.  Over 9,500 V-1's were launched against London during this time.  Another 2,500 were launched against Antwerp between October 1944 and March 1945, when the last launch site was captured.

There are a few V-1's in museums and I've looked over them, from a distance of course.  These are very basic, but they worked.  The good news is the Allies were able to counter the threat through effective anti-aircraft, fighter interceptions and even mis-information.

The Models

Spitfire F Mk XIVe
What can I say?  Frog 1960's detail in Novo quality.  It "looks like" a Spitfire, but there are details that are not right.  And the Novo molding is not crisp and has lots of sink holes and flash.  The clear parts were neither clear, nor parts (they were just opaque blobs).

I did NOT correct this kit.  So what's wrong?

• Fuselage too narrow.  Only by about 1-1.5 millimeters, but it's obvious.
• No gull wing at trailing edge fuselage merger.  
• The wing fairing trails too far aft of the trailing edge of the wing; it has a noticeable "shelf".
• Rocker fairings are too small, and too square.
• Cockpit is just a ledge for a pilot's seat, and the bulkheads are solid.
• The wings appear too thin.
• The radiator baths are too shallow.
• Decals off register and printed too dark; they are both oversized and undersized for the model.

Additionally, the whole model "looks" too small, it may be 1/75 scale.  I compared it in plan form and yes, it's short in both span (~6 inches) and length (4 inches).  

Having ignored all that, I just built this OOB and enjoyed it.  I wanted to put it on the included stand as well, so I used the molded wheel/covers which hid the lack of detail in the wells.

Because the clear parts were not usable, I scrounged my Spitfire spares box and found an Academy canopy.  It was much too wide, and too tall, but with some careful sanding I was able to get it to fit.  It doesn't look unacceptable, given the other noticeable flaws with the kit.

Paint was Tamiya acrylics all the way, applied over a primer coat of ValSpar primer from my local hardware store.  XF-3 Yellow and XF-21 Sky were applied first, then masked.  I then sprayed XF-82 Ocean Gray [sic] overall.  Using maskol fluid I masked the Ocean Grey and sprayed XF-81 Dark Green.  Finally, I masked and sprayed XF-83 Medium Sea Gray [sic].  Overall it looks okay, however I feel the XF-82 is too blue for Ocean Grey, but I wanted to stick with the Tamiya combination for this build.

V-1
The V-1 looks great!  It looks exactly like those I've seen in museums and while I didn't measure it and don't have any plans, it looks like a V-1 and will probably be the only one I ever make.

Only 4 parts so it went together very quickly.  I used Testors Acryl RLM 71/RLM 65, which is what all the museum examples seem to be painted.  I have no idea if that's right or wrong as all the period photos I could find are dark over light.

Summary

I'll never make these kits again.  I have too many very nice F Mk XIV kits to want to attempt the Frog one and I have no real reason to make another V-1.  I may create a new stand for the V-1 so it will complement my V-2...and dispose of the Frog/Novo F Mk XIVe.

Thanks for reading...

Spitfires for 2013

The new year looks good for Spitfires.  Even my planned theme builds align mostly to Spitfires, so unless I get distracted by some special Kit-That-Must-Be-Built I hope to complete quite a few.

To be reported over on my other blog, the list is extensive and if I can sneak in a couple of additional models, I certainly will.  I like doing multiple builds of the same kit, such as my modifications of the Airfix Spitfire I/IIa kit into a Mk Va and PR Mk XIII.  Both are very straightforward and the only challenge is finding decals...well not so challenging given all the available decals out there.

I'm also looking forward to another Seafire.  I finished that CMR FR.47 at the end of 2011 and after looking at my Merlin Seafires on the shelf, I need to update the stable with some better looking kits.  My old conversions from Airfix Mk Vb/c kits are just not cutting it anymore and other than an example of my skills 5 years ago, need replacing.  I'll include photos of those older builds alongside my updated models, of course, but I doubt I'll do the same subjects.  Too many good subjects out there to keep redoing the same ones.

My Spitfire/Seafire plan for 2013:

• Frog Spitfire Mk XIV with V-1 (drones or unmanned)
• CMR Speed Spitfire (Need for Speed)
• Airfix Spitfire IX as Dr Who Spitfire in Space (Science Fiction)
• AZ Model Isreali and Egyptian Spitfires (Friend and Foe)
• CMR Seafire F.IIc (Anniversary)
• Hasegawa RAAF Spitfire VIII (Down Under)
• Heller SAAF Spitfire XVI (Korean War -- loose connection here)
• Airfix Hawk T.1 in Spitfire commemorative scheme (Build The Same Kit)
• Sword Spitfire VI (Failures -- okay, the VI worked, but not as well as it should have)

Plus I plan to clear out my queue of "in work" Spitfires:

• Airfix Spitfire XIII conversion (paint & decals)
• Airfix Spitfire Va (paint & decals)
• MPM Spitfire XVIII (assembly)
• Fujimi Spitfire XIVe (assembly)

And of course, make some progress on that Spitfire Mk III.  I'm nearly ready to cut some fuselages...

Thanks for reading...

Looking Back at 2012

Really?  Not a single Spitfire all year?!

One could call this my Mayan apocalypse.  I did at least start 4 Spitfires...

But I got totally sidetracked by the Museum builds.  One of which was not something I signed up for, and the other was a total drag as it was the Matchbox Halifax.  Not a bad kit, but I wanted more out of my build than I should have expected.

Now for my guilt trip...it seems that somebody is actually reading what I write.  The number one post, in terms of pageviews, is my Fujimi FR Mk XIVe from earlier this year.  A close second is 2011's CMR Prototype Spitfire K5054.  Over on my non-Spitfire page the top read post is about Academy's F4F Wildcat -- go figure.  What about these subjects makes them interesting?  What did I put in them that is causing them to pop on search engines?  Obviously I should post more...

And in that vein, I need to make more progress on my Spitfire III.  I pick it up every weekend, but put it back down after pondering the surgery needed to make it.  That Matchbox Halifax and the Revell Condor are not ego boosters for me, in terms of my skills.  And I totally botched two Tamiya Spitfires last year attempting to cross kit and make a cannon-armed Mk I and Mk Va.

I did complete 15 models for the year, and I may actually sneak in another before year's end.

Hopefully everyone has a great holiday; I know I will, even if I only handle some plastic instead of actually finishing a model!

Thanks for ready...Merry Christmas!

Sword XVI Preview

Sword Spitfire Mk XVI “Bubble” canopy SW72052

Back in May I was on vacation in London and was able to visit an IPMS UK show at Hendon.  What a treat!  But that’s a story for another day, as they say.  While there I picked up Sword’s recent release of their Spitfire Mk XVI at a very good price.  Given I saved shipping costs to the US, and import duties, this kit only cost me about $18 US, or about $5 less than here in the US.

What makes a Mk XVI?  The short answer: it’s basically a Mk IX with a US Packard built Merlin 266.  The mark was produced in both high back and low back (bubble) variants.  I understand that a few of the early production had the “c” armament of 2x 20mm cannon and 4x .303 guns, but the majority were the “e” wing armament of 2x 20mm cannon and 2x .50 guns.  Other than the serial number there is no real way to tell the difference in photos of a Mk IX and Mk XVI.  “Typically” if it’s a low back then it’s a Mk XVI, as the vast majority were produced with the bubble canopy; and the majority of Mk IX were of the high back.  Most also were built with clipped wingtips to lessen stress on the wing spar during rolls; by the last year of the war the Mk XVI was generally used in the low-level ground support role with 2nd TAF.

This kit has very fine, recessed panel lines.  And I mean very fine.  If you use a hairy stick to paint with, be prepared to lose some of the detail, and keep your paint thin for airbrushing as well!  This makes for a very accurate look, of course.  

Additional detail is just as good, such as a well detailed cockpit.  Much more than I need as I always build with the canopy closed (...dust).  The canopy is provided as two pieces to allow showing off the interior.  The cannon and gun barrels are provided as resin (very nice!) and there are two resin alternatives for the engine exhausts; fishtail and the later round type.

Interestingly, my sample had one half of the high back fuselage that is on the original sprue.  A shame as that would have provided real value if both were there as I could have corrected that awful Italeri Mk IX...  The low back fuselage is provided on a separate sprue.

Plenty of folks elsewhere have checked this and the other Sword Spitfires against plans, and they are spot on accurate.  I did not check as I trust those experts at Britmodeller.

Kit includes things under the wings like two bombs with their racks and choice of slipper tanks; these are typically not provided in a Spitfire kit so this is very welcome given the typical mission of the Mk XVI.  I look forward to hanging these on.

Markings are provided for 4 aircraft of 2nd TAF late in the war:

1. TB625/OU-V of 485 Squadron, “Rongotea” flown by Warrant Officer M.J.C. Lind out of Fassburg, Germany, April 1945.
2. TB886/AU-J of 421 Squadron, “Dorothy” flown out of Reinsehlen, Germany, May 1945.
3. TD240/WX-V of 302 (Polish) Squadron, “Janetka” flown by Squadron Leader Boleslaw Kaczmarek, 1945.
4. TD317/ZF-P of 308 Squadron flown by Squadron Leader K. Pniak, 1945.

The only Sword kit I’ve actually completed was one of their Hurricanes, and the decals were very nice.

Obviously a comparison has to be made to the other Mk XVI kits available.  These are the old Heller and KP kits.  Hands down this Sword is much better.  Both Heller and KP have raised panel lines and nearly no detail in the cockpit.  Both are fairly accurate in shape, albeit the Heller kit has too deep radiators (an easy fix).  I’ve got quite a few of the Heller kits because I can find them for $2 or less at swap meets.  But if adding an aftermarket cockpit and vacform canopy the price is nearly as much as the Sword kit.  Considering the Heller decals are so off in color, you’re in for more than the Sword kit.

I like scratch building a cockpit for the Spitfire and with a closed canopy it works, so I’ll keep those Heller kits to use up some spare decals.

The KP is typically $5 or more, so I don’t recommend it as bringing it up to the Sword in terms of appearance will cost significantly more than the Sword.

So from a value perspective, the Sword is well over the top.  

Watch this space for a side-by-side build with the Heller Spitfire Mk XVI.

Thanks for reading.