Spitfire MK XVIII 1/4 Scale

[stewart clifford]

Flying Legends and Fighter Factory UK are about to start work on a new range of late mark Spitfires. They will be modified from Mike Booths high quality and well proven MK IX kit. Mike delivered his original 5 year old glass fuselage to me Saturday, from this I will make the plug for the Griffon type cowling, cut the top off the rear fuselage and make the new "low back", once this is done I can make a plug for the bubble canopy(the windscreen will be from FL's existing canopy). The other changes will a much larger rudder and an add on leading edge for the fin, this will be an add on rather than a permanent moulding so the same fuselage can be used for Mk XVI's which retained an early type fin.

This link is of TFC's restored MK XVIII which is now in the states and owned by Jim Beasly, despite my opinions about modelling models on Duxford based aircraft I will be modelling mine on this one as I was involved with it before it's depature and because it has a really good scheme(pay attention to the pictures Nigel as you will be making these masks later in the year )
http://fotodj.com/elements/2010/Reading ... 5_122.html

Although I say it's a MK XVIII externally they are the same as 14's and 19's so by making this fuselage available and combined with the existing kit you will be able to make most marks of Spitfire from this kit.
Pictures to follow soon.

[stewart clifford]

Another feature of these later marks was the retracting tailwheel, this will aslo be catered for.
There will be some pictures of the fuselage as it was when it arrived but I can't get them from my BlackBerry to the computor as I haven't worked out how to use it yet.

[chris willis]

You could put it next to this lot Fighter Boy

tiffy build 046.jpg (45.18 KiB) Viewed 12122 times

[stewart clifford]

If you build one too Willy then we could nearly have a Squadron of Spitfires at Baldock, get you off those old Hawker buses

[stewart clifford]

This is how it looked (did have the cowl plug fitted when it arrived) when it arrived last week.
It had been sitting in Mikes garden for five years, which had caused the cowl and canopy to rot, not an issue as these are both going to be replaced. As you can see it needs a good clean up and some minor dings sorting out first. The next job will be the making of the Griffon cowl. Anyone seen a tail kicking about? this will probably have to be re-made and will have to be fitted before the top of the fuselage is removed, I will also have to fit some wood inside in order to brace it up before the top comes off.

[stewart clifford]

At a little shack in Marlborough right now the Griffon cowling is now under construction, whilst at Fighter HQ in North Herts the fuselage mod has been done and now just needs detailing. Next thing is to create the bubble canopy.

[Mike Booth]

Yes in deepest Wiltshire, even deeper in the Flying Legends storage facility the mighty Griffon is being created.
This will yield the possibility to create the Mk 14. 18. and in my opinion the Spitfireius perfecta, the beautiful PR MK 19.
Much sanding and filling as I type to keep up with orders and Fighter Factory MK 18 prototype.

[stewart clifford]

Heres some pictures of the modification process of the top rear of the fuselage, basically maked it up, cut it off, then stringers and sheeting went on, this was then glassed. once we're happy with it I'll apply another skin which will accomodate the detailing, then we're ready to mould.

[stewart clifford]

In all her glory

[Mike Booth]

My God Stew, when you said you were spraying primer I didn't realise you were that close to a finish.
Looking great for next year.

[Mike Booth]

You done any more?

[stewart clifford]

Well Mike, as soon as the leccy Spits done Ill have to consult Houghton Mclaren bespoke Fighter supplies about a canopy then it's back to you for moulding. How's that Griffy cowl coming along?

[stewart clifford]

Well Mike, as soon as the leccy Spits done Ill have to consult Houghton Mclaren bespoke Fighter supplies about a canopy then it's back to you for moulding. How's that Griffy cowl coming along?

[Mike Booth]

It's nearly done. You'll be able to see progress on the new Supermarineworks.com website very soon.
Watch this space.