Spitfire Mk.V Messerspit

 Airfix A50194 Spitfire Mk.V v Bf109 Dogfight Double Mash-up "Messerspit"

I've always been interested to see those what-if builds some build but have never had a go myself, until now. I guess this is not a true what-if, as the Messerspit was actually built, but for me it's close enough! Czech model maker Brengun created a Spitfire Mk Vb Messerspit kit back in 2013, but reviews I’ve seen of it have not been favourable, so I thought the recently released Spitfire Mk.V v Messerschmitt Bf109 Dogfight double would be the perfect donor kit!

This kit is basically the new Spitfire and Messerschmitt starter kits, very simple but nicely detailed with those great silhouette stands. 

The Messerspit was created from captured Spitfire Mark V fitted with a Daimler Benz DB605a engine. So, for this build, I'm going to need both kits but not all the parts.

The first task was to remove the noses from the two aircraft. I worked out that the seams provided the perfect lines to cut down, ensuring I turned the blade when reaching the wings. The cutting seemed to go OK.

Offering up the Messerschmitt Daimler Benz nose to the hole left by removal of the Spitfire's Merlin showed that the fit would be close enough, although (unseen in these photos) quite a bit of filler was required to the underside to fill the gaps between the engine and fuselage after removing the air intakes. One day I'm going to have to invest in some plastic card! I also had to cut off the Spitfire's guns as these were removed from the original. I also don't think the Messerspit had the nose guns from the Bf109 but I'm leaving them in place.

As there will be a lot of yellow in the final colour scheme, I went for an initial covering of white primer, followed by another round filling the underside from where I removed the air intakes. I do hate filling!

While I leave it alone for that second application of filler to dry, I've painted the Luftwaffe pilot and built the propeller. I love the way this Messerschmitt and the Spitfire spinners can be built and then fitted at the end of the build.

I've completed 'Messerspit' half of the dogfight double mash-up.

This is actually more of a 'What-if" than I had intended as I'm probably correctly informed that the 'Messerspit' was the combination of a Spitfire Mk.V and a Messerschmitt Bf 110 (engine and cowling). So my Mk.V and Bf 109 ‘Messerspit’ is thus unique! 

This is, as it happens, quite fortunate, as not having the correct letters for the original I’ve been able to use an intriguing set from my stash and add the ‘ace of spades’ emblem, seen on many an Airfix Bf 109, to the nose for added interest.

What fun this has been!

Spitfire Mk XIV

This is the Airfix Spitfire Mk XIV which I built in parallel with an another clipped wing Spitfire, the Mk XII.

The Mk XIV is the fighter version similar to the Mark VIII but fitted with the Griffon 61-series engine with two-stage supercharger. This variant entered service in February 1944. A fighter-reconnaissance version of the Mark XIV also appeared. The variant was built in large numbers and final production aircraft featured a cut-back rear fuselage and teardrop canopy.

Here are a few of design points on this kit that I love … firstly the pilot actually fits nicely in the cockpit. Then there’s the perfect looking gun sight, I often leave these out thinking how silly they look but this one is really nicely moulded. Finally, just look at that photo reconnaissance camera! 

It’s all masked up now ready for for some colour 

Camo added to Spitfire Mk.XIV  … guess what’s next, yup not the decals but the yellow leading edges

Finally all decals applied for this aircraft flown by Squadron Leader James Bernard Prendergast, No.414 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Lüneburg, Germany, May-June 1945.

With regards to the upper type C1 roundels:

On 22nd January 1945, owing to the number of instances where Allied aircraft were being shot down by either Allied aircraft or anti-aircraft guns due to mistaken identity the Air Ministry requested that the Red, White, Blue, and Yellow national marking should be accepted as standard for all roundel positions on day-flying 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF) aircraft.

Here is my 1:48 scale Airfix Supermarine Spitfire FR (Fighter Reconnaissance) Mk.XIV in the markings of that flown by Squadron Leader James Bernard Prendergast, No.414 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, from B156 Lüneburg, Germany, May-June 1945.

This was a lovely kit to build, with the only really challenging piece being the removal of the perfectly good wingtips. If I was to be super critical I’d say that I much prefer it when wingtips options are provided as per on the original aircraft rather than having to saw bits off. The biggest improvement on other Airfix Spitfires has to be the undercarriage which is sturdy and well designed and the propeller which can be fitted last and still rotate! 

My favourite bit would be the camera windows which being an FR aircraft are nicely glazed and within one is an excellently moulded camera lens; a nice touch. My least favourite is the canopy which I think just looks out of place in natural metal and I wish I’d left it green. 

I decided to end it with a museum finish, feeling that despite the box art it probably wouldn’t have actually seen much action but I may return to it later to weather it up a bit.  

Spitfire Mk.VII

 I’m back after a bit of a break!

First on the bench is the Airfix Spitfire Mk XII which I’m building for the Jadlam Racing Models Group Build but why just one, I thought to myself! So I’m parallel building an another clipped wing Spitfire, the Mk XIV with the later teardrop canopy. 

More research will be done but in the meantime, this is what I know of the two Mks …

Mark XII - Fighter version based on the Mark V but fitted with the Griffon III engine with a single-stage supercharger. Built in moderate numbers as a low-altitude fighter, with clipped wings. Entered service in February 1943.

Mark XIV - Fighter version similar to the Mark VIII but fitted with the Griffon 61-series engine with two-stage supercharger. This variant entered service in February 1944. A fighter-reconnaissance version of the Mark XIV also appeared. The variant was built in large numbers and final production aircraft featured a cut-back rear fuselage and teardrop canopy.

I did a little more work on the interiors yesterday, spending what seemed an inordinate amount of time on the pilots. I’m usually OK at painting figures but for some reason I just couldn’t get the finish I wanted on these. However, as I’m not going for an open canopy I’m thinking you’ll not see too much of them anyway. 

I’m also unsure as to whether I should cut out the rear wheel bay only to fit a set of closed doors. Will it really be worth the effort for little visible difference? I think this moulding for this Mk.XII must also be used for the Mk.V which didn’t have the retractable undercarriage. the Mk.XIV kit already comes with this removed. 

Back on the Airfix Spitfire Mk.XII and I’ve managed to get my pilot thinned down sufficiently to fit in his cockpit! I don’t know what the Airfix team were on when they designed this kit back in 2011 but it’s falling well short of their current high standards.

You’ll notice that I’ve also had to fit the propeller. This is such a bad design point and one which has fortunately not been followed on my parallel build subject, the Mk.XIV. 

I like to paint the canopy in place and so this means taking a sharp knife and much patience to some masking tape. 

I think I’m about ready for adding some colour.

Oh how grateful I have been for a wet Sunday afternoon! Primed, camouflaged, invasion stripes and sky band masked and painted. Unfortunately while attempting to mask the spinner it came off in my hands!  So I will now end up, as all recommended, with having to fix it post the build but with the added annoyance of having the back plate rattling around within the aircraft.

Couldn’t resist getting started on the Spitfire MkXII decals and having already committed to the June 1944 variant its the EB-Z 41 Sqn markings that are required. 

I’m not however that happy with the colour match of those squadron markings. They seem far too bright. I would have expected something closer to Sky Type A or Belge Green as the Airfix colour scheme calls it. The 595 Sqn lettering for the second scheme are, however spot on. I’ve heard from others that their decals are the same correct colours, so I guess I’ve got a bad batch!

Oh well it is what it is. 

I’ve also, rather stupidly, not painted the yellow leading wing edges. Don’t know what I was thinking here, so I’m going to have to revisit this once I’ve given it a good covering of varnish, else those roundels are going to come off with the masking tape.

Other than that, it’s not the best Airfix Spitfire kit out there but I’m sort of liking it.

Well that varnish went down very nicely yesterday afternoon so I set to work on adding those yellow leading edges this morning and DISASTER! 

The yellow went on beautifully but when carefully removing the sparingly applied masking tape I pulled up a thin layer of acrylic varnish, like pealing back skin, revealing the matte paint beneath. With this varnish layer came much of the clean yellow edges I’d just painted and half of both upper wing roundels! 

I’ve trimmed back and tidied the loose layers and completely removed both roundels. I can probably find spare roundels in my stash but I’m beginning to think this build is doomed.

New set of XtraDecals roundels applied (not as good as the Airfix originals but better than nothing) and some odds and ends black lines applied to replace those lost in the masking tape versus varnish debacle.

From a distance and after I’ve added a little light weathering, I’m hoping it will all blend together OK

That's my Jadlam Racing Models Spitfire XII done, I'm calling it a day. It's been quite a journey.

I was going to have it flying side by side with the Mk.XIV that I kicked off at the same time, but that one, to me, is looking much more presentable such that I'm now thinking of going for an undercarriage down and open canopy format.

So, I dug out a Messerschmitt Bf 109, built earlier this year as part of the Dogfight Double with the Mk.Vb. As I had originally finished this with wheels and flaps down, I had a bit of work to return it to flight mode but now, using the old stand, I have my Spitfire Mk.XII in a close dogfight with an old Bf 109E, it hasn't got a chance!

Anyway, it’s done. Fortunately, thanks to Jadlam’s event, it didn’t cost much and I have to admit to strangely enjoying the challenge and all the chat with fellow scale modellers also participating in the group build. It’s not going to win any prizes but I think I should still be receiving a money off voucher

Ice Cold In Alex "Katy"

My third Airfix Austin K2 Ambulance build, I just love this kit. This one is inspired by the 1950s classic book and film “Ice Cold In Alex”.

Airfix provide four decal options for this kit:

1. 30 Corps, Motor Ambulance Convoy, Royal Army Service Corps, North West Europe, 1944
2. British Army, North Africa, 1940
3. British Army, Alexandria, Egypt, 1942 (Not the one from Ice Cold in Alex)
4. Auxiliary Territorial Service, England, 1944 Driven by Princess Elizabeth. 

[1] & [4] I’ve already built and I thought I was going to have to use [3] as a best fit for this one but on second glance, I discovered Airfix actually include a couple more undocumented decals which amazingly enable the build of a fifth version. Yes, you’ve guessed it, Airfix include a set of decals for ‘Katy’, the star of the “Ice Cold” film! Although entirely fictional they are perfect for someone like myself, looking to add this iconic model to my collection. 

In addition to the 20th Century Fox inspired decals, I made a few more modifications:

I split and painted the windscreen to reflect the configuration used in the film and added a rope to front of the vehicle; the one used to pull Captain van der Poel from the bog. 

I added a spade to the front of the cab; the one van der Poel took with him on his regular excursions and I’ve added a few figures to represent the main players: Captain Anson, with his drink issues, Sister Diana Murdoch, falling for the Captain, and MSM Tom Pugh, never without his hat and, with head in hands, the world on his shoulders! 

I’ve left the roof(s) unglued to provide access to the interior detailing which has meant a little gapping is unavoidable, but it’s the only way one is going to get to see the players in the back. And, oh yes, have you spotted the bullet holes? These broke 2 drill bits to add, but it wouldn’t have been Ice Cold In Alex without them! 

I’ve had so much fun with this kit, the next one is really going to be a challenge selecting, this being such a hard act to follow.

Austin K2/Y Ambulance

Next up on the bench is an old favourite from a few years ago, with interest rekindled by Modelu’s release of the Flying Nightingale figures. 

This is the Airfix Austin K2/Y Ambulance for which Modelu printed me a special set of 1:35 figures. I’m so looking forward to seeing this completed.

Working on the wood floor and interior painting. 

I applied some chipping fluid to the cab floor  between the wood effect and top coat painting. 

Today I had a little fun chipping that top coat off to reveal a weathered bit of wood below. Probably won’t see much of this but I’ll know it’s there.

I’m loving this Airfix Austin K2Y Ambulance. 

I built one of these 2 years ago but as I completed it with the rear doors closed, I never looked to paint or fit the stretcher carriers and am now having so much fun building this bit up. I also never remember the PE around the roof vents, is this a new addition or did I skip this? 

I now have all the main bits sprayed up for the grand construction. If I can get away with a firm dry fit, I’m also thinking of leaving the roof un-glued so that I can pop it off to view the detailed interior which may just have a Flying Nightingale within.

Wheels and chassis joined with the body and I’ve lowered one of the beds as seen in photos kindly shared with me by a fellow modeller.  

Lowering that bed should allow me to install my Flying Nightingale Modelu figures which I’ve given a spot of paint to and am now trying them out for size. 

Decals on … oh my these Airfix transfers were so much more delicate than I remember they were last time.

I lost ‘Pat’ somewhere on the table, will probably find it stuck to my arm later and needed to dig into my spares for the medical badge which I somehow stuck in the wrong place and then it wouldn’t lift again.

It’s amazing how even after all these years and the thousands of decals I must have applied I can still have so many challenges.

Airfix 1:35 Austin K2/Y Ambulance finished as a vehicle from 30 Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, with a couple of Modelu British soldiers receiving treatment from the RAF Flying Nightingales following the 1944 D-Day landings. 

I’ve left the roof unglued to give better access to the inside view which I hope you agree works. Having been torn with how much weathering to do I feel I held back a bit too much and so I’m less pleased with the finish I attained than with the pure enjoyment I had in the build itself. 

Next up will be another of these Ambulances which I’m keen now to build as a North African campaign version as seen in that classic film “Ice Cold in Alex”

Two down, one to go!