ThomasProbert Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Here's the latest project to cross the finish line - the 1970's original issue 1/32nd scale Spitfire MkI which has been used as the base kit to produce a Spitfire PRXIX using Grey Matter's conversion set. I chose the original Revell kit rather than the latest release due to the far superior surface detailing (and the fact that it was picked up cheaply at an airshow!) and although it has an issue with the lack of the gull wing effect on the underside I found that far easier to live with than the ridiculously over-scale trenches and rivets seen on the latest Revell offering. The conversion provides a completely new nose section for the big Griffon engine, a new tail fin and rudder, replacement elevators, new propeller, two new radiators and a vacformed canopy for the pressurised cockpit. Work began by modifying the MkI wing - the radiator and oil cooler were removed, along with carburetor intake. The kit didn't have any wheel well detail so this was scratch-built, and the cartridge ejector ports were also blanked off: S1030089 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The fuselage had the Merlin engine cut off at the firewall, I modified and installed an aftermarket cockpit set to replace the basic detail in the kit, and I also scratch-built the camera bays in the rear fuselage: S1030097 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The original nose was then replaced with the resin Griffon one, the MkI tail was sliced off and the resin replacement installed, and the gun bay covers were all filled as of course the PRXIX was unarmed: S1030119 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The Grey Matter conversion kit didn't supply any decals, so I used ModelDecal serials, Xtradecal roundels and the new HGW Spitfire stencil set. Xtracolour enamels were used throughout the build. 1/32nd scale Spitfire PRXIX PS853 of the Meteorological Flight, RAF Woodvale, 1953: DSC_0060 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0065 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0069 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0071 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0073 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0088 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0093 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0094 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0101 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr All in all this was a reasonably straightforward conversion to do, the resin parts fitted well and it finally gives me my favourite version of the Spitfire in 1/32nd scale. In hindsight I could easily have based this conversion on the PCM MkIV kit, but I like a bit of a challenge and there's nothing better than dragging ancient kits kicking and screaming into the 21st Century! Until next time, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikester Posted November 4, 2015 Members Share Posted November 4, 2015 Very impressive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 A true craftsman. Oh and Tom, I forgot to tell you last year at Telford (almost a year ago) that bit I gave you is from DV286. Cees 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulster Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Nice conversion work there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 A great result, it looks fantastic. Cheers Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators JeroenPeters Posted December 5, 2015 Administrators Share Posted December 5, 2015 Just lovely. Awesome feat of work... Refreshing to see a non-weathered spit for a change! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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