'Threads'
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A Discussion on Improving the Academy 1/48 Spitfire XIV Kit
source: Hyperscale
(thanks to Brett Green for permission)
(Bold Italics are added by the Webmaster to clarify the text or correct known errors. Some comments and their order of appearance in the original forum have been edited for spelling, grammar, and clarity)
steve
Academy Mk.XIV Bubbletop Spitfire
Tue Oct 28 14:54:21 2003
I want to make a Griffon Spitfire and was thinking of buying this kit. A lot of
the reviews I have seen seem to come down hard on the shape of this model. So I
wondered if it is worth getting. Does it look more acceptable if you sand down
the bulges over the exhausts? Or should I just save myself the pain and buy
another Airfix F.22/24?
Terry Campion
Spit XIV from Academy...
Tue Oct 28 15:42:09 2003
Depends how much of a rivet counter you are.
There are a few outline errors, but it looks like a Spitfire XIV. It builds
beautifully too with great detail. I'd say buy it , you won't be disappointed.
You'll need new decals, 'cause the kit ones aren't the best, but try AeroMaster
if you need any.
I've made one, have several others too. Just enjoy it.
Phil Golding
Forget the outline problems...
Tue Oct 28 15:59:58 2003
Shorten the props at the spinner end a little. Goes together with no filler, has
a lovely cockpit, looks good when done!
Lynn
I've got one that I've spent some time on...
Tue Oct 28 16:05:38 2003
I compared it to the Airfix 22/24 that I've got and made the following
improvements that have REALLY helped the outline...
- Filed/sanded rear fuselage top and bottom surfaces until they are LESS than
paper-thin... the Academy kit is too fat back here, and there is **JUST** enough
plastic to get it down to the level of the Airfix kit, which is far better.
- Filed/sanded the lower chin to take away the fat-jowled look that the Academy
kit has... again, this helped immensely but it takes a bit of careful work and
usage of the Mk I Eyeball in comparing to photos to not go too far.
- Cut out the radiator dump flaps then sanded an angle into the aft edge of each
radiator; the straight boxes Academy gives you are wrong. This is a simple fix.
- Get a Cooper Details resin prop and spinner if you can find it at all costs.
- Get the KMC interior if you can find it... it's awesome.
In spite of all this, apparently the wing chord is still too thick, and I found
this out only after assembling the wing. Oh well, can't win'em all. :)
Y'know, all this talking about it makes me want to get home and dig that bastard
out... got some RCAF decals to put on it (Geoffrey Northcott, IIRC). Should come
out right nice when done.
Mira from Czech
Some PICS with differences ..
Tue Oct 28 17:00:46 2003
Hi Steve!
In every case, the ACA Mk.XIV kits are simply to build, without putty - the best
fitting I build.
Recommended Eduard PE set, but for the next I will used nose correction sets
incl. underwing radiators. Prop and spinner is easy upgraded, I think. Look at
the pics. The E wing model is mine, C from Brett's article.
Sorry for small pics, hope this works ...
Neil Hodgins
Academy Spit XIV
Tue Oct 28 18:40:38 2003
You might also want to consider buying the DACO Products Spitfire XIV
Improvement Set ( http://ultra.glo.be/daco/
);
it gives you a corrected fuselage forward of the cockpit, new prop spinner and
blades, corrected radiator housings, cannon bulges, three-spoke wheel hubs,
exhaust stacks, white metal main gear legs and tail wheel, and an enlarged
rudder for the low-back XIVe. It costs 16 Euros per set. I bought two sets
myself so I could make some improvements to the high-backed XIVc model prior to
converting it to a PR.XIX using the Airwaves conversion set for the 19, and to
make an Canadian FR.XIVe.
I also decided to use some Moskit metal exhausts in place of the resin, namely
because I wanted two different styles of stacks, and because the Moskit stacks
are so beautifully done to start with.
Roy Sutherland
In-depth review at www.cooperdetails.com
Tue Oct 28 23:20:23 2003
Go to Roy's Rants.
You will find a very in depth review there ( http://www.cooperdetails.com/html/roysrants/rant20030408.html
). Not good news, I'm afraid.
Go with the Airfix 22. Best Spitfire ever kitted in any scale, accuracy wise!
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