Seafire FR.47 Tamiya 1/32 part-3

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Marking research

 The post war FAA scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky seems to be unified. But it's not unified in detail. There are many variations of the demarcation line between EDSG and Sky or the area of the anti-glare. There are also two type of the walk way line. My model is in the minority. The majority is closer to the wheel blister. Be careful that most of the color profiles of existing references are incorrect. Why are there many variations? I guess that early production of Mk.47 were painted in mid-war scheme (EDSG / Dark Slate Grey / Sky) at the factory and were repainted later.

The size of the fuselage roundel is 30 inches. The wing roundel is 36 inches. Each width of the identification band of the Korean War scheme is 12 inches. The fuselage serial number is 4 inches high and the lower wing is 32 inches.

The gear legs and inside of the gear covers are painted Sky, and the wheel hubs are silver. These are clear in the original color photo of "Korean Air War, Motorbooks International". The inside of wheel cover is unknown, so I guess it may be the same as the gear cover. The gear bay and inside of the flap are unknown as well.

My model is aircraft number 180 P with Black / White bands of 800th Squadron. However, there are different serial numbers of 180 P. VP492 is written on the fuselage in the photo of "War Paint vol.20", but the lower wing serial can be read as VP433 in the same photo. This aircraft doesn't have painted B/W bands. VP480 is in another photo of certain web site. This aircraft has B/W bands. I think there are two aircraft which have the aircraft number 180 P for some sort of reason.








Painting and markings

 Sky was a mixture of Mr. Color #20 Duck Egg Green with 25% #126 IJA Green Grey. EDSG was #333 EDSG with a small quantity of Sea Blue. Roundel Red was #327 Thunderbird Red. Roundel Blue was #322 Blue Impulse Blue.



Metal primer was sprayed on the aluminum frame. Then Mr.Surfacer 1200 was sprayed and the surface was polished with Mr. Laplos #6000.
The first step of painting was Sky. Sky and other markings were painted "side by side" (except for EDSG).

Masking for EDSG is finished.
Masking for Silver is finished.

EDSG is painted.
Masking tape was removed. The surface was polished again. The portions for B/W bands were unpainted.

Detail parts were painted as well. Yellow and Black were painted side by side.
This masking was for Blue. Kitchen wrap covered wide areas.

Roundel Blue is finished.
The position of the aileron blister was corrected.

These are masking for White.
White was finished. These are masking for Night.

Masking sheet for the wing serial number is cut with the cutting machine.

Red was the last color painted.
Painting is finished!

The demarcation line of EDSG and Sky is corrected.
This photo is "before correction".


After painting was finished, clear paint was sprayed. Then the surface was polished with Mr. Laplos #6000 again.


Dry decals

 The aircraft number and serial on the fuselage plus caution stencils were custom made dry decals by Maxlabo. The font of FAA stencil is different than RAF. I depicted this font from original photos. After applying dry decals, clear paint was sprayed for fixing. And the surface was polished again.



These letters are dry decals as well.
Caution stencils are dry decals.


Markings of the propeller blade are kit decals.



Details and the final assembly



The late type seat belt was made of photo etching buckles and lead sheet.
I selected this 1/48 Hurricane etching set. Why 1/48??

The gunsight was Barracuda Studio's resin part for P-51. The rear end was modified a little then kit photo-etch was added.

The wire protector, hold back and pitot tube were made with brass pipes & rod.
I mistook the shape and size of the hold back. The right is old one and the left is correct.

The landing gear is glued to the wing. The track of Super Spitfire is wider than the normal Spitfire.
The wheel cover linkage was scratch-built. The oil actuator was lathed styrene rod. The link rod was made of 0.5mm (0.02") brass rod and 0.7mm (0.03") brass pipe.




The block tread tire was not released from Barracuda Studio at this time. So, I scratch-built using chemical wood. Judging from the fact that Mk.47's wheel blister was enlarged, the tire width might be increased a little.



Chemical wood was sanded with rotary tool.
Then crosswise lines were engraved with the razor saw and my handmade jig.

Lengthwise lines were engraved with the handmade chisel. The chisel consisted of two small bits made of brass rod to equalize the pitch of lengthwise lines.
The wheel hub was cut from Barracuda Studio's resin cast part.


The final work was the rocket launcher. It was made of styrene sheet. The hook of the front launcher was made from aluminum sheet.







Seafire is completed

 After 12 months of construction works, the LAST of Seafire's is rolled out. Though some detail work is insufficient, I'm very satisfied with the reproducibility of outline image as I shown from my original drawings. I'm very happy if my drawings help odelers who build Griffon Seafires, and also manufacturers or publishers.

Once more, I wonder how long the Spitfire remained in the front line. Spitfire Mk.I of 19 Sqn appeared in 1938, and Seafire Mk.47 of 800 NAS joined Korean War in 1950. I don't know if another reciprocating engine fighter had such a long life.


























Appendix


The color profile

 The first one is the same as my model. FR.47 VP480 of 800 NAS of HMS Triumph, in the Sea of Japan, in 1950. This aircraft wear 18" Night / White identification bands.





The second one is 804 NAS of HMS Ocean, in Mediterranean Sea, in 1949. Note the differences of the demarcation line for EDSG and Sky. The wing filet is painted EDSG. There are many variations of the EDSG demarcation line as for Mk.47 in addition to these two profiles. The fuselage roundel is 36".





The following two profiles are Mk.46.The Mk.46 was not used for front line squadron but delivered to Reserve units. There seemed to be two types of upper camouflage schemes. Note the demarcation line on the nose cowl. It doesn't match to the panel line. The first one is FR.Mk.46 LA555 of 1832 NAS.





Tne next is F.Mk.46 LA546 of Lossiemouth Station Flight of the FAA. The upper wing roundel may be 56" C type. Mk.46 doesn't equip the hold back. And the position of the tail navigation light is different from Mk.47.






Seafire Mk.XVII drawings


Side view

Large size drawing



  • The outline shape was traced from photos of existing actual aircraft.
  • Locations of camera windows and access hutches of FR model are same as FR.47.
  • The outline shape of nose cowl is identical for Mk.XII. But the number and location of cowl fasteners are different.
  • The diameter of propeller is 10'5".
  • The gear cover shape is different from other models. The upper portion covering the gear leg is wide.
  • The windshield and slide canopy are identical for early production of Mk.47.



Plan view

Large size drawing

Large size drawing



  • Panel lines and rivet lines of the upper wing and lower outside wing were clearly seen in photos of existing actual aircraft but lower inside wing was not clear.
  • The elevator is covered with metal skin.
  • The width of the lower cowl panel is wider than long nose Griffon models.



The side view drawings of PR.XIX

Large size drawing



  • The port side drawing shows model 390 equipping pressurized cockpit. The starboard shows un-pressurized model 389.
  • The windshield and canopy of model 389 is identical to Merlin PR.XI.
  • Grey portions show flat surfaces. The windshield of model 389 has the flat spot at the front. On the other hand, the side portion is flat at model 390.



Fairy Firefly

 Special Hobby released new tool 1/48 kits. In order to prepair for construction, I made original drawings. I didn't use existing drawing. The outline shape, panel lines and rivet lines are traced from photos of actual aircraft.

Fuselage side view

Fuselage cross section

Top view

Bottom view

  • The fuselage length is 37ft7" (Mk.1/2), 38ft9" (Mk.4/5) from "In Action".
  • The cross section shape is traced form photos of actual aircraft.
  • The ladder hinge line and ladder ribs are lean 2 degrees from fuselage reference line.
  • I couldn't find any data of the airfoil, wing thickness ratio, angle of incidence and wash out.
  • So these data of my drawings are presumed from photos.


Kit review of Special Hobby 1/48 Firefly

 This kit is incorrect as far as outline is concerned. The side view and plan view are good but cross section shape of the fuselage and wing are incorrect. See following figure. The blue line is actual aircraft and the red line is the kit.


References

1 The famous airplane of the world (new edition) No.102 Spitfire 4-89319-104-7 Bunrindo
2 The famous airplane of the world (new edition) No.25 Spitfire- Bunrindo
3 The famous airplane of the world (old edition) Spitfire Mk.I-XVI- Bunrindo
4 The famous airplane of the world (old edition) Spitfire Mk.XII-24- Bunrindo
5 Koku Fun Illustrated No.111 Luftwaffe and RAF in WW2- Bunrindo
6 Koku Fun Illustrated No.93 Veterans- Bunrindo
7 Koku Fun Additional Volume Air Combat No.5, No.6- Bunrindo
8 Aero Detail 8 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I`V 4-499-22617-1 Dainippon Kaiga
9 Aero Detail 27 Merlin Spitfire Mk.VI`XVI 4-499-22709-7 Dainippon Kaiga
10 Aero Detail 30 Griffon Spitfire 4-499-22741-0 Dainippon Kaiga
11 Osprey Military Aircraft Series Aces of Spitfire Mk.I/II 1939-1941 4-499-22739-9 Dainippon Kaiga
12 Osprey Military Aircraft Series Aces of Spitfire Mk.V 1941-1945 4-499-22810-7 Dainippon Kaiga
13 Aces of the RAF- Sensha Magazine
14 Model Art Extra Number 387Spitfire - Model Art
15 Spitfire in action aircraft no.39 0-89747-092-3 Squadron/Signal Publications
16 Waffen Arsenal 36 Spitfire 3-7909-0064-8 Waffen Arsenal
17 The Spitfire Story 1-85409-172-7 Arms and Armour Press
18 Warbird History Spitfire 0-7603-0300-2 Motorbooks International
19 Supermarine Spitfire 0-86124-140-1 Bison Books
20 Spitfire at War - Ian Allan
21 Sie flogen die Spitfire - Motor Buch Verlag
22 From the Cockpit Seafire - Ad Hoc Publications
23 Supermarine Seafire 978-1-86126-990-4 Crowood
24 Warpaint 20 Supermarine Seafire - Hall Park Books
24-2 Warpaint 78 Vickers Supermarine Merlin Seafire - Hall Park Books
25 Spitfire Flying Legend 1-84176-210-5 Osprey
26 Monografie Lotnicze 38 Supermarine Spitfires cz.1 83-86209-75-9 AJ-Press
27 Monografie Lotnicze 39 Supermarine Spitfires cz.2 83-86208-76-7 AJ-Press
28 Monografie Lotnicze 40 Supermarine Spitfires cz.3 83-86208-77-5 AJ-Press
29 Monografie Lotnicze 71 Supermarine Spitfires cz.4 83-7237-079-6 AJ-Press
30 Warbird Tech 32 Griffon-Powered Spitfires 1-58007-045-0 Specialty Press
31 Warbird Tech 35 Merlin-Powered Spitfires 1-58007-057-4 Specialty Press
32 Modellers Datafile 3 The Supermarine Spitfire part1 Merlin-Powered 0-9533465-2-8 SAM Publications
33 Modellers Datafile 5 The Supermarine Spitfire part2 Griffon-Powered 0-9533465-4-4 SAM Publications
33-2 Classic Warbirds 1 Spitfire Star of Israel 0-9583594-0-7 Ventura Publishing
33-3 Classic Warbirds 2 Spitfire The ANZACS, The RAF through Colonial eyes 0-9583594-1-5 Ventura Publishing
34 Classic Warbirds 3 American Spitfire camouflage and markings (Part 1) 0-9583594-3-1 Ventura Publishing
35 Classic Warbirds 4 American Spitfire camouflage and markings (Part 2) 0-9583594-4-x Ventura Publishing
35-2 Classic Warbirds 5 From D-Day to Victory! Fighters in Europe 1944-45 0-9583594-2-3 Ventura Publishing
36 Classic Warbirds 6 Early Mk.IXs, Pacific Corsairs, Green Ghost Beaufighters 0-9583594-5-8 Ventura Publishing
36-2 Classic Warbirds 7 USAAF Spitfires, Bader's Mk.V, RAAF B-24s, Boomerangs 0-9583594-7-4 Ventura Publishing
37 Classic Warbirds 10 Merlin PR Spitfires 0-9582296-2-7 Ventura Publishing
38 Classic Warbirds 11 Merlin PR Spitfires in detail 0-9582296-5-4 Ventura Publishing
39 Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk.XIX - MPM
40 Aerodata International No2 Supermarine Spitfire I&II 0-905469-25-9 Vintage Aviation Publications
41 Yellow Series Supermarine Spitfire Mk V 83-917178-3-6 Mushroom Model Publications
42 4+ Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.22/24 80-86637-03-4 Mark I
43 Spitfire Mks VI-F.24 1-84037-400-4 Airlife Publishing
44 Aircam Aviation Series No4 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I-XVI- Osprey Publishing
45 Aircam Aviation Series No8 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XII-24- Osprey Publishing
46 Aircraft of the Ace 5 Late Marque Spitfire Aces 1942-45 1-85532-575-6 Osprey Publishing
47 Aircraft of the Ace 12 Spitfire Mk I/II Aces 1939-41 1-85532-627-2 Osprey Publishing
48 Aircraft of the Ace 16 Spitfire Mk V Aces 1941-45 1-85532-635-3 Osprey Publishing
49 Aircraft of the Ace 21 Polish Aces of World War 2 1-85532-726-0 Osprey Publishing
49-2 Aircraft of the Ace 74 Soviet Lend-Lease Fighter Aces of WW 2 978-1-84603-041-3 Osprey Publishing
50 Aircraft of the Ace 75 Royal Navy Aces of WW 2 978-1-84603-178-6 Osprey Publishing
50-2 Aircraft of the Ace 80 American Spitfire Aces of WW 2 978-1-84603-202-8 Osprey Publishing
51 Aircraft of the Ace 81 Griffon Spitfire Aces 978-1-84603-298-1 Osprey Publishing
51-2 Aircraft of the Ace 83 Malta Spitfire Aces 978-1-84603-305-6 Osprey Publishing
52 Aircraft of the Ace 87 Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific 978-1-84603-422-0 Osprey Publishing
53 Aircraft of the Ace 98 Spitfire Aces of North Africa and Italy 978-1-84908-343-0 Osprey Publishing
53-2 Aircraft of the Ace 113 V1 Flying Bomb Aces 978-1-78096-292-4 Osprey Publishing
53-3 Aircraft of the Ace 122 Spitfire Aces of Northwest Europe 1944-45 978-1-78200-338-0 Osprey Publishing
53-4 Aircraft of the Ace 127 Polish Spitfire Aces 978-1-4728-0837-0 Osprey Publishing
53-5 Aircraft of the Ace 131 Spitfire Aces Of The Channel Front 1941-43 978-1-4728-1258 2 Osprey Publishing
54 Aviation Elite 3 No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron 1-84176-160-5 Osprey Publishing
55 Aviation Elite 9 No43 'Fighting Cocks' Squadron 1-84176-439-6 Osprey Publishing
56 Aviation Elite 30 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' 978-1-84603-321-6 Osprey Publishing
57 Aviation Elite 35 No 126 Wing RCAF 978-1-84603-483-1 Osprey Publishing
58 Osprey Duel 16 Seafire vs A6M Zero Pacific Theatre 978-1-84603-433-6 Osprey Publishing
58-2 Osprey Duel 60 Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore 978-1-78200-356-4 Osprey Publishing
59 On Target Profiles 4 Spitfires Mk I to VI in the European Theatre of Operations 1-904643-03-5 The aviation Workshop Publications
60 On Target Profiles 8 Photo Reconnaissance Spitfires in Worldwide Service1-904643-15-9 The aviation Workshop Publications
61 On Target Special 2 Britain Alone June 1940 to December 1941 1-904643-06-X The aviation Workshop Publications
62 On Target Special 9 The Battle of Britain Comouflage & Markings 1940 97-81904-643364 The aviation Workshop Publications
63 4th Fighter Group in World War II 0-89747-515-1 Squadron/Signal
64 Polish Air Force 1939-1945 0-89747-324-8 Squadron/Signal
65 Fleet Air Arm British Carrier Aviation, 1939-1945 0-89747-432-5 Squadron/Signal
66 Britain's Fleet Air Arm In World War II 0-7643-2131-5 Schiffer
66-1 Polish Air Force at War vol.1 1939-1943 0-7643-0559-X Schiffer
67 Blue series 315 (Polish) Squadron "Deblin" 83-89450-00-3 Mushroom Model
68 2nd Tactical Air Force Volume One 1-903223-40-7 Classic
69 2nd Tactical Air Force Volume Two 978-1-906537-01-2 Classic
70 2nd Tactical Air Force Volume Three 1-903223-60-1 Classic
71 2nd Tactical Air Force Volume Four 1-903223-41-5 Classic
72 American Eagles 1 American Volunteers of the RAF 1937-1945 1-903223-16-4 Classic
73 Eyes for the Phoenix Allied Aerial Photo Reconnaissance Operation in South-East Asia 1941-45 0-9519899-4-4 Hikoki Publications
74 Spitfires and Yellow Tail Mustangs 52nd Fighter Group in Warld War Two 1-902109-43-0 Hikoki Publications
75 White Eagles Aircraft, Men & Operations of the Polish Air Force 1918-1939 1-902109-10-4 Hikoki Publications
76 RAAF Camouflage & Markings 1939-45 Vol1 - Kookaburra Technical Publications
77 RAAF Camouflage & Markings 1939-45 Vol2 0-85880-037-3 Kookaburra Technical Publications
78 The spitfire, Mustang and Kittyhawk in Australian service 0-9587978-1-1 Aerospace Publications
79 Red Stars In The Sky 1 Soviet Air Force In World War Two 951-9035-50-8 Tietoteos
80 Korean Air War 0-7603-1511-6 Motorbooks International
81 The Royal Air Force Of World War Two In Colour 1-85409-185-9 Arms And Armour
82 War Eagles in Original Color 0-9629359-2-1 Widewing
83 Camera Above The Clouds Volume 10-906393-31-0 Airlife Publishing
84 Camera Above The Clouds Volume 20-906393-50-7 Airlife Publishing
85 Camera Above The Clouds Volume 31-85310-369-1 Airlife Publishing
86 Spitfire Mk. IX & XVI Engineered 978-0-9784001-0-1 Monforton Press
87 The Spitfire V Manual 0-85368-420-0 Arms and Armour Press
88 Spitfire The History 0-946219-10-9 Key Publishing


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