1/48 Hobbycraft Seafire XV

Gallery Article by Rob Nieuwenhoven on June 10 2016

 

      

Many years ago I won the Hobbycraft Seafire XV at my local model club meeting. It is a basic kit with average shape, so I wasn’t keen to build it, despite my fascination for all things Spitfire! It lay in its box for decades until a chance email from Hannants spruiking an aftermarket kit made me think about dragging it out and modifying it. First, I needed some bits as it was never going to be built straight from the box! Quickboost exhausts, Eduard cockpit detail etch (Seafire XVII but close enough), Airwaves Seafire XV conversion, Falcon canopy, SAC undercarriage, Barracuda wheels, Airwaves Seafire III wing fold set and aftermarket cannons and control surfaces (I don’t remember whose) were ordered, along with Aeromaster RN decals (that cheap kit just got a lot more expensive!!)

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Many cuts were made! The wings were cut after a lot of research into exactly where the main fold should be and what it really looks like. The pictures of Dr Wes Stricker's PR503 in its restored glory were very helpful here, as was my copy of Spitfire – The History. The engine was removed and the Airwaves resin part fitted in lieu. The cannons were fitted after the wings were assembled and the control surfaces all dry-fitted, where applicable. The exhausts proved a bit of an issue as they were intended for the Airfix Seafire XVII but they eventually made it in satisfactorily. I had to make a few bits such as the slinging spools on the fuselage sides but they were fairly simple.

There was a lot of mucking about to get everything to fit, especially as some parts weren’t meant for this kit (or this aircraft version). It started to gain impetus about the time I was ready to paint. I tried pre-shading for the first time and have decided I’m not a fan. I used John Eaton’s excellent masks to paint the aircraft in the post-war RN scheme I’d chosen as I liked the colours used. All paints were either Humbrol or Model Master enamels. The paints were left for a couple of weeks to cure before applying a Future coat for decaling. I decalled the model completely before assembling the control surfaces, undercarriage and wings. I’d decided early that I wanted to depict the model as stowed on board, so made up some stays to fit to the wings. Unfortunately, they didn’t come out quite as well as I’d hoped but I’m happy enough with them. I also realised too late that I’d assembled the prop incorrectly as they are now depicted well past the low-pitch stop and are thus unrealistic but they’re too well-glued to change now – pay more attention before gluing, Robert! I also realised I should have left the catapult spools off as they were rarely fitted to this mark but they can stay there now.

Overall, I’m pretty happy with the way this model came out but it’s a long way from out of the box! It does look good in the cabinet and, with its wings folded, is a nice talking point.

Rob Nieuwenhoven

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Photos and text © by Rob Nieuwenhoven