Spit 14 Template

[jocko-]

Working on the 'Beastie' now, shouldn't take long as I can lift a lot of things from my previous templates.

[SgtPappy]

Sweet.

[jocko-]

[Guppy35]

Just a first instinct response jocko.

Too many waves in the camo, in particualar on the right wing and the fuselage both sides.

[jocko-]

Yeah, I know, it's actually the later style from the Mk F.22 I'd thrown on (don't ask - I was bored) when I originally started this template a few weeks back (I switched to the Mk 16 and didn't come back to the 14 until now).  I have some great post-war Griffon-engined Spit engineering drawings, including a colouring scheme drawing, and wanted to see how the camo pattern looked on a 3D model, the 14 being the closest match.

When I get to it I'll just import the Dark Green layer from one of the other templates and do some minor changes so it looks slightly different.  This will, of course, involve the usual futzing around getting the 'seams' to match up on the model, something I find rather tedious so I've been procrastinating and doing the fun stuff first.

[ZENMS]

jocko I think it looks great! did u finish it?

[jocko-]

Still a ways to go yet.  Real life got in the way as it does from time to time.   

[jocko-]

Progress:






Still a bunch of details to add.  My resources aren't as good for Griffon engined Spits 

[Guppy35]

What you looking for on Griffon Spits Jacko?

[jocko-]

The front end details: Stenciling on access covers, as well as rivet patterns on the cowls and fuel tank armour, if any.  A lot of spot welding was used to attach the stiffeners in later Spit assembly instead of rivets so this may be a moot point.  Also would like to verify the rivet patterns on the tail section.  I have the Griffon Spits book from SAM Publications and it's pretty good but not perfect.  A Spit IX/XVI engineering book I have blew a lot of holes in SAM's Merlin Spits book so I'm assuming the Griffon one is as 'accurate'.

Basically I'm 'building' the XIV like this: A Mk VIII fuselage with a different nose and rudder, and no radio hatch on the port side.  'E' Wing with extra fuel tanks.  The broad chord rudders on the late model Mk IXs and XVIs had an oblique clear inspection window on the port side fabric (see screenie) above the trim tab but I can't find any photo or drawing evidence of the MK XIV having one.




 

[Guppy35]

Best I can do on a good Griffon nose is from a photo I have of a Spit XII nose. The resolution is better then a book scan.  Not sure if it helps, but It's a XII and that's always a good thing

[jocko-]

Hehe, no argument here.  Basically done, just a few tweaks here and there:













About the aircraft:

Spitfire Mk XIVe NH703, 'Emily', coded AE-B of No. 402 Sqn RCAF, Heesch, Nederlands, March, 1945.  Flown by F/L Brian 'Blackie' MacConnell from Lindsay, Ontario.  On April 19, 1945, MacConnell shot down an AR-234.

Standard 2TAF paint scheme, serial repeated on the vertical fin due to partial obliteration of the original.

[moot]

Nice work.  Does it say how it shot down that Arado?

[jocko-]

Well, this is just a guess, but I'd say with a mix of .50 and 20mm's... 

Seriously, he caught it returning to base at about 1000' AGL, aircraft was assumed to be flown by Major Polletien, Ops officer of KG 76 who was shot down that day in the same area.  MacConnell didn't fire immediately as he didn't recognize the type.  Knowing that Gloster Meteors were operating around the same area he didn't want to be known as 'that guy' so he closed right in until he saw the crosses before firing. After landing he still didn't know what it was so he offered 'Ju-88' when questioned.  He went on leave and was told after returning to the squadron that it was a jet bomber.

[moot]

Cool, thanks.