Spitfire marks a question

[Geoff]

Hi, I want to make a Spitfire LF IXe for a real world project, a Czech Air Police plane from post WW2.
I have the Revell G Spitfire IXc/XVI in 1/48th.
If I make it as a IXc and use the clipped wing option and the pointy rudder do I have a LF IXe or do I need to alter the engine cowling or intakes, or the wing?
Many thanks.

[Radish]

The Revell Germany is the Hasegawa kit....

For a IXe you need to change the wing completely. A different armament layout, panels, etc..

Also, most IXes were bubble-canopied, but others were high-backed.
Find out the type you need.

Your best bet are the ICM kits which are nice.

ICM48071 for the Bubble Top

and

ICM48066 for the razorback variety.

Hannants have them at £9.99 each. I did try links but they wouldn't work. Do a search for 1/48th Spitfire kits and there's tons at Hannants. I think ICM are best though...cheap and accurate.
Also, others may prove OK, like the new-tool Airfix IXC/E but that's more expensive at £10.99 and needs more work.

Cheers,

Terry

[Geoff]

Thanks Terry - I have been doing a little search as well, and have just realised that the wing and armarment is wrong for the IXe. I suspect a XVI Wif is in order here!
I think the ICM kit may well be the way to go ta! GeoffP.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Watch the tailplanes too..... early IXe's retained the V/IX tailplanes, later IXe's had the extra angled 'cut' on the elavator line.

Ian

[Geoff]

OK I have an ICM Spit LF IXe on order-  thanks both.
I did find a Russian colour scheme for a PVO Spit IXc which they used until 1948 - should just about qualify for the CW SIG!

[Radish]

Excellent.

Other Cold War SIG "proper" aircraft could be:

Yak-9P
La-9/11
Mosquito B.XVI, NF.36, NF38
F-47D
F-51D/K
F-38L (Italy)
etc., etc., etc., 

[kitnut617]

Thanks Terry - I have been doing a little search as well, and have just realised that the wing and armarment is wrong for the IXe. I suspect a XVI Wif is in order here!
I think the ICM kit may well be the way to go ta! GeoffP.

There's not a lot of differences between the bubble top Mk.IX and the Mk.XVI from what I've read. The Mk.XVI designation was purely to identify a Packard Merlin engined Mk.IX.  Some Mk.XVI even had the regular canopy and high rear fuselage apparently.

[TsrJoe]

did the original issue KP. kit of the Spitfire have 'air police' markings, i seem to recall Czech civil codes in the kit

cheers, Joe

[Geoff]

Thanks Terry - I have been doing a little search as well, and have just realised that the wing and armarment is wrong for the IXe. I suspect a XVI Wif is in order here!
I think the ICM kit may well be the way to go ta! GeoffP.

There's not a lot of differences between the bubble top Mk.IX and the Mk.XVI from what I've read. The Mk.XVI designation was purely to identify a Packard Merlin engined Mk.IX.  Some Mk.XVI even had the regular canopy and high rear fuselage apparently.

I hadn't realised that the change in designation was due to the engine change to a Packhard - I did know they came in high backed and bubble versions though - I am thinking of doing a XVI as a Wif but not sure what yet. I did wonder about a Finnish one (OK a bit predictable I know) but figured that they would want to use them in the air defence role so maybe the clipped wing version would be wrong - on the other hand if you are broke and this is what you can get/afford?
The other option for a Wif is a PLAAF IXc which IIRC the Chinese wanted to build under license.

Yes.  They came pre-yellowed and off register on a vast decal sheet that you had to cut the individual items from.  I've still got a few of them somewhere.

Umm, would you be wanting to part with one or two of the registrations and "Air Guard" triangular roundels?

[Radish]

Another option for a post-war XVI or IXe is a Free POLISH AF, or why not a Greek one? The Greeks had a variety of Spits including IX/XVIs, often in their original colours or stripped to Natural Metal.
Of course, a Chinese one could be infiltrated to North Korea?
Also, Argentina acquired a couple of IXs via a civilian. Why not.......you can guess the rest.

[Geoff]

Hmm, Polish AF Spits going home in the national colours after the liberation the same as the Czechs did - -  now this I am liking!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Geoff]

I'll see what I can find.  Bear in mind that they'll be pretty grotty mind!

Yeah, I realise that, thanks