Spitfire XIVe by Luis Antonio Reyes Lavin (Academy 1/48)

Academy's 1/48 scale
Spitfire Mk.XIVe

by Luis Antonio Reyes Lavin

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIVe

Academy's 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.XIVe is available online from Squadron.com

Description

The Model

Here is Academy’s 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.XIV, kit number 2161. The model is made up from 85 parts in light grey and clear with delicate recessed panel lines. Accurately reproduced 5-bladed propeller and spinner assembly. Detailed gun bays with optional covers and optional position radiator louvers. Cockpit detail: control linkages, instrument panel with raised detail, seat with decal belts, armour plate, oxygen bottles, and throttle quadrant. This is the version with the cut-down rear fuselage and bubble canopy. Single engine, single seat fighter-reconnaissance aircraft.

The assembly of kit does not present problems. I have replaced the panel of instruments of kit with the pieces in photo etched of the Eduard. I have changed the transparent parts of the cockpit into a vacuform of Falcon.

Painting and Markings

The cockpit has been painted with Tamiya colours and an aerograph and for the minor details I have used Vallejo colours painted by brush.

The registered plane MV349 was a Spitfire Mk-XIVe constructed by Supermarine at the end of 1944. The emblems correspond to the deployment in Asia. This plane flew with the 28th Squadron in the front of Malaysia up to the end of the war. Upper surface is dark green and dark earth camouflage pattern, lower surface is medium sea grey. The nose and tactical recognition stripes on wings and tail are white. National insignia is SEAC-style dull blue and light blue; same colors on vertical stabilizer.

Code letters are in white. S/N is black. The national insignia, the code letters and the stripes of the wings and stabilizer have been painted by me with masks that I have made. All the used paintings are of Tamiya. For the small details of the cockpit I have used paintings of Vallejo.

To clarify and to obscure the fuselage panels and wing I have used the base colours and then I have mixed them with a black and brown much diluted little percentages. The model has been varnished with Titan Mate Opal and the panels have been remarked with Vallejo black and brown and applicator with a 00 brush.