Whirlwind Mk V

[NARSES2]

Well here's the starting point of my next GB entry.



I've already started her engine replacement and the Spitfire V's Merlin cowl is almost a perfect fit. Indeed if I could saw anything like a straight line (I can't even slice bread  ) it would almost be a "slot in".

[Old Wombat]

Only ONE Spitfire?

OK, just saw the sticker on the box. Existential crisis averted!

[PR19_Kit]

Only ONE Spitfire?

Exactly! 

Or will it be a 'Tophe Special' with an engine on one side and the cockpit offset to the other, like a more belligerent Bv-141?

[NARSES2]

Only ONE Spitfire?

Exactly! 

Or will it be a 'Tophe Special' with an engine on one side and the cockpit offset to the other, like a more belligerent Bv-141?

Nope, I also, for some reason, have two more Italeri kits ? 

[PR19_Kit]

Only ONE Spitfire?

Exactly! 

Or will it be a 'Tophe Special' with an engine on one side and the cockpit offset to the other, like a more belligerent Bv-141?

Nope, I also, for some reason, have two more Italeri kits ? 

Ahah, THREE engines then? 

[Doug K]

Looking forward to this one, the Whirlwind is another favourite

[NARSES2]

The engine transplant was going well until  There is quite a difference in thickness between the Airfix and Italeri and I managed to sand through the Italeri cowling where she meets the Airfix root  Had a small hole with egg shell thin surrounds.

Not to serious, and I would appear to have sorted it. I've also learnt to be a bit more careful with the other wing/engine join. Both wing/engine assemblies are now in primer and will get their next p.s.r. session tomorrow.

Meanwhile I tarted up the cockpit a little. Seat from the Italeri Spitfire is the cut down instrument panel. Stick from sprue, belts from tape and then some paint work and she's done. I've also found a pair of wheels/tyres which are about the right size and look far better then the originals. Mind you when I test fitted the wings to fuselage I was  Lovely fit. Sure will need a little bit of very thin strip on one root and some filler on both, but otherwise 

I'm enjoying this. It's the most serious modelling I've done in a very, very long time. Normally I'm out of the box with a new paint scheme. Could be tempted farther down the path that leads to ....................

Just need to finalise the scheme now. She will be Far East as a replacement for the Hurri-Bombers, but not sure if it will be late 44 early 45 or post February 45. The difference ? Pre February no white ID stripes, post February, white ID stripes.

[NARSES2]

Cockpit insert is in place and fuselage joined. Needs a little p.s.r. but not that much 

[Dizzyfugu]

Stripes make it faster...! Looking forward to this one; I did some Whirlwind conversions, too, incl. transplants of Mosquito engines, which are quite bulky for the slender aircraft. I am curious how the Spitfire noses look on the kit - should result in a very sleek aircraft? Great idea. 

[NARSES2]

Thanks Dizzy.

Hopefully this might start seeing paint at the end of the week. I'll post some in progress shots tomorrow all being well.

[NARSES2]

Hopefully this might start seeing paint at the end of the week. I'll post some in progress shots tomorrow all being well.

Probably a tad optimistic. One of the main challenges for me, especially given my skill set is to try and get the engine nacelles symmetrical (sorry Tophe) or at least as symmetrical as I can and that's taking time.

Still here's some progress shots.

Peregrin and Merlin before surgery



Post surgery



PSR on the underside



PSR on the upper surface



Cockpit work

[PR19_Kit]

Hmm, makes you realise how beefy the Merlin was compared to a Peregrine.

[Dizzyfugu]

Yup. But I really like the look - the Spitfire front end is pretty slim and seems to fit well onto the Whirlwind's nacelles. IIRC, the Mossie engines I used in one of my conversions were more massive, and called for serious body work.

Will there be dust filters, for tropical use?

[Mossie]

Love a Whirlwind whiff Chris.  Planning any changes to the armament?

Yup. But I really like the look - the Spitfire front end is pretty slim and seems to fit well onto the Whirlwind's nacelles. IIRC, the Mossie engines I used in one of my conversions were more massive, and called for serious body work.

Will there be dust filters, for tropical use?

Maybe Hornet nacelles would be perfect?

[NARSES2]

Will there be dust filters, for tropical use?

I thought about it, but decided against it. Hurricanes used in the Burma campaign seem to have been a mixture of some with and some without and it was easier to use the standard intakes if I'm honest. Although not as easy as I thought because of some plastic melting on me because of a mixture of solvent glue and over zealous clamping 

Anyway work continues and after another p.s.r. session I think one nacelle will be o.k. after a shot of primer whilst the other probably needs another p.s.r. session. Meantime the fuselage needed very little sanding of the seams,nor did the separate nose 

The Whirlwind is a very attractive aircraft to my eye, however it must be said that a test fit of the wings to the fuselage shows that the new engines give her a much more pugnacious look, especially from head on.

I've got another 2 Airfix kits and 3 Special Hobby ones, including the 37mm cannon armed version so I may well be tackling a couple more in the near future. SH will be out of the box/paint whiff's, whilst the Airfix ones might be having an appointment with a razor saw and Greenstuff