1/72 Supermarine Spitfire XIV and V1
Discussion
This is the ancient FROG Spitfire XIV which comes with a V1. It's a very basic kit - dating from around 1970. I bought it for £1 at a model show a couple of years ago. The kit had no instructions or decals - so I made up my own decals from spares and after market bits and pieces.
The only alteration I carried out was the use of a Falcon vac form canopy (the original kit version is poor and doesn't fit) and the use of a Tom's Props spinning propeller. I also scratch built a rear view mirror.
The only alteration I carried out was the use of a Falcon vac form canopy (the original kit version is poor and doesn't fit) and the use of a Tom's Props spinning propeller. I also scratch built a rear view mirror.
That would have been quite an ambitious "cut and shut" job for a 14 year old. I wouldn't even tackle it now.
The FROG XIV is fairly accurate. It's main problem is the canopy - which was always poor. I built one of these back in the early 70s and I remember even then that the canopy didn't fit very well.
The overall outline shape is not too bad on the FROG model. A year or so ago I built the Academy XIV. It's a far more modern kit with nice recessed lines BUT it is completely misshapen. I've never displayed it because it is so un-Spitfire like.
In 1/72, The best Mk XIV is probably the Fujimi kit - but they are hard to find and not cheap - certainly not £1.
The FROG XIV is fairly accurate. It's main problem is the canopy - which was always poor. I built one of these back in the early 70s and I remember even then that the canopy didn't fit very well.
The overall outline shape is not too bad on the FROG model. A year or so ago I built the Academy XIV. It's a far more modern kit with nice recessed lines BUT it is completely misshapen. I've never displayed it because it is so un-Spitfire like.
In 1/72, The best Mk XIV is probably the Fujimi kit - but they are hard to find and not cheap - certainly not £1.
yellowjack said:
Ooh! Memory lane time.
The good old days, when you could buy cheap old kits from stalls at air shows, stapled into clear poly bags, and there was a healthy trade in second-hand unmade model kits.
No change there. I still buy kits from "under the table" boxes at airshows. This Spitfire I picked up for £1 only about three years ago. In fact, they were being sold along with Frog Vampires and Meteor F4s - all for £1 each. Bargain.The good old days, when you could buy cheap old kits from stalls at air shows, stapled into clear poly bags, and there was a healthy trade in second-hand unmade model kits.
I managed to bag 9 (I repeat 9) Airfix Hawker P1127s for £6 at a show only recently.
As you are a local, why not pop along to my club's model show in September.
It's held at the King's International College, Watchetts Drive, Camberley on Saturday, September 24.
http://www.ipms-farnborough.co.uk/index.php?id=mod...
Plenty of traders and bargains to be had - as well as great model displays by lots of visiting clubs.
I was at the Blackbushe Air Day last Saturday and was delighted to find that T J Aviation had a stall selling model kits. I bought the Fujimi Spitfire XIV. It is a world away from the FROG kit.
A few months ago I built the Academy XIV. It is a fairly modern kit but it is madly mishapen - with lots of dimensional inaccuracies. I think the Fujimi kit is the best one around at the moment in 1/72.
A few months ago I built the Academy XIV. It is a fairly modern kit but it is madly mishapen - with lots of dimensional inaccuracies. I think the Fujimi kit is the best one around at the moment in 1/72.
Indeed you were. Their Sioux was also there. A couple of warbirds were also present - a P-40 and a Hurricane - plus some historic civil aircraft such as this lovely Travel Air Mystery Ship -
It was a very nice event. There was no air display as such, just lots of nice aeroplanes to see - up close as well.
It was a very nice event. There was no air display as such, just lots of nice aeroplanes to see - up close as well.
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