Supermarine Spitfire PR.XX (finished)

[TallEng]

So with a bit of a prod from Kitbasher I've decided to give this GB malarkey another go.
A Recce & Surveillance GB, wouldn't be a Recce & Surveillance GB, unless it had a Spitfire in it, now would it?
My first idea was to build a Recce version of the Spitfire 22/24 using Airfix's rather nice kit, and the obvious missing number
would have been PR.23, but unfortunately that mark was used for the still born Super Spitfire that would have been called the Valiant.
(you can't tell I've been reading my recently acquired 'Spitfire Bible' can you? )
On that note I've started an Airfix Spitfire 22/24 with regard to making a reconnaissance version. I've added Eduard Spitfire HF wing tips to extend the span (up to 40' over 36' I think) I've also removed the little bumps on the wing that the Wooksta says are for a Seafire and of course shaved off the the cannon blisters.
The trouble is to me the best looking Spitfires are the ones with the 'High' back fuselage, especially the Griffon engined ones. So after a little consideration I've decided to combine the Airfix PR.XIX fuselage with the Airfix F.22/24 wings, the Eduard extended wingtips and splice the 'Spiteful' tail from the F.22/24 on as well.
progress so far...

Spitfire by , on Flickr

As the more observant of you will notice I've had to add a shim to the tailplane group as I C****d up the cut. not entirely unexpected i must admit,
In the background can be seen the Eduard 1/48th Mustang F.6D which probably won't make the GB even with an extension.

Regards
Keith

[Pellson]

Looking much forward to see this put together! 

[PR19_Kit]

Sounds a very logical kitbash

[Gondor]

So basicaly a PR version of the 21 then?

Gondor

[TallEng]

So basicaly a PR version of the 21 then?

Gondor

yup, I would guess that's a fair comment 

[TallEng]

And tonights progress...
all glued together now, waiting for it all to set properly before setting about it with sanding sticks, putty etc

Spitfire by , on Flickr

Regards
Keith

[Old Wombat]

Ooh! That looks NICE!

(I, too, am a fan of the old high-backed Spitfires. )

[Dizzyfugu]

I am a bit jealous because of the crisp kit base... My current MPM Fr. Mk. 18 is ...challenging, and it's not even a conversion. 

[Pellson]

So basicaly a PR version of the 21 then?

Gondor

Did the mk.21 ever get the big tail? I was under the impression it only got the new wing, but then again - I'm not prepare to make any bets..
anyhow, if I remember correc, the high back spits didn't need the big fin like the drop top ones, as the high back itself served as keel area. But again - I might be totally wrong here.. 

yup, I would guess that's a fair comment 

[TallEng]

AFAIK, the F.21 only used the 'slightly' bigger tail unit, the 'Spiteful' unit was used by the F.22/24 and of course the Spiteful.
Why has my PR:XX got the big tail? because I liked it
I'm sure if I thought about it I could come up with something:

**Wait a minute...
I've just checked the Morgan and Shacklady 'Spitfire the History', which has this to say about the PR.XX

"The Larger 'Spiteful' tail unit was needed due to the instability of the Spitfire PR.XX at the higher altitudes it could climb too, thanks in part to the extended wing tips and the More powerful Griffon 103 HA series engine fitted, which in turn required the larger (11'10") five bladed Jablo propeller to be fitted."

that's from the Bible its self 

Regards
Keith

** some of the above may or may not be true

[PR19_Kit]

Kit's 2nd Law of Whiffing applies...................perfectly! 

[Gondor]

Auxiliary air intake for the cockpit pressurisation? Or is that taken from the Griffon 103 HA series engine?

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

That's the pressurisation intake under the port exhausts. It's standard part on the Airfix PR XIX fuselage, thank goodness.

Makes it a good source for other whiffs that need such things. 

[TallEng]

Supermarine Spitfire PR.Mk.XX, TZ634 'WY.R' of 541 Squadron RAF, RAF Benson, 1948
Airfix kits, eduard wingtips, Resin Wheels, Prop and Decals from Freightdog.

Whiffs by , on Flickr

Whiffs by Keith Woods, on Flickr

Not much else to say really. One of the wingtips broke off during decalling, (superglued back on) I see I've forgotten the whip ariel and it could probably do with a slightly less 'shiney' finish.
but that's it for the GB 

Regards
Keith

[Pellson]

I love it! Really! It's outright outstanding! 

Cock..  I just stowed away the Spitfires. Now I need to take them out again..