Tamiya 1/32 Seafire FR.47 Conversion by Jumpei Temma

Tamiya 1/32 scale
Seafire FR.47 Conversion

by Jumpei Temma

Supermarine Seafire FR.47

Tamiya's 1/32 scale Spitfire Mk.IXc is available online from Squadron

Introduction

I've finished semi-scratch-built 1/32 Seafire FR.47 using Tamiya Mk.XVIe. I used kit parts for the rear fuselage, wing, cockpit and some detail parts.

The nose section, canopy, tail fin and a number of detail parts were full-scratch-built. Before construction, I made original drawings of FR.47.

The outline figure, panel and rivet lines of them were traced from photos of actual aircraft or factory drawings.

Construction

The engine cowl was made of heat formed styrene sheet. The bulge for the engine cylinder head was heat formed styrene sheet as well. The shape and size of them were carefully adjusted to my original drawings.

The cockpit was basically from kit parts. The instrument panel of FR.47 was a little different from Mk.XVI, so it was corrected. And some equipments were added on the cockpit side walls.

The basic shape of the Super Spitfire's wing was the same as normal Spitfire including its airfoil. So, I could use kit wing parts. The wing tip, aileron and flap were made of styrene sheet. The code of FR.47's flap was extended from Seafire Mk.46 or other Super Spitfire.

The windshield and canopy of FR.47 was completely different from Mk.XVI. They were heat formed as well. The canopy was made of acrylic sheet.

On the other hand, the windshield was made of clear styrene sheet. The surface of them were sanded with #800 to #1000 grit sand paper and polished with rubbing compound.

The spinner and the tire were made of chemical wood. They were sanded with rotary tool.

The block tread pattern was engraved with the handmade jig and the handmade chisel. The wheel hub was from Barracuda Studio's resin part.

Painting and Markings

I depicted FR.47 of HMS Triumph 800 NAS with Korean War identification bands, in the Summer 1950. There seemed to be at least two aircraft of "P 180".

Judging from the documentary photo, I determined that the serial number was VP480 as for this stile of identification bands.

The roundel and identification bands were all painted.

Thumbnail panels:

After airbrushing, the surface was polished with Mr. Raplos #6000. Any clear vernish was not sprayed after polishing. I like this 90% satin gross finish. The aircraft number, serial number and caution stencils were custom made dry decals.

Conclusion

After 12 months of construction, the LAST Spitfire was completed. At the same time, I finished original color profiles using Inkscape. The further article and drawings are uploaded in my web page.

http://www.geocities.jp/yoyuso/spit47/spit47e-1.html

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