Academy 1:48 Spitfire Mk.XIVe
Spitfire Mk. XIVe TZ138. This aircraft built in 1945 at Aldermanston and shipped to Canada in 1945 and was used for cold weather testing with the Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE) Flight in western Canada from early 1946 to July 1949. It was probably the only Spitfire ever flown with skis, the skis falling off on lift-off.
TZ138 was sold for $1250 to two Edmonton businessmen (one was Ken Brown, who flew on the Dam Busters raid), registered as CF-GMZ and they quickly prepared it for entry in the Cleveland Air Races. It placed third, and the team won a $1050 prize. Early the next morning, the pilot took off with the Spitfire and the winnings and the Spit was sold a couple days later for $1000 in Florida. In 1952, it was supposed to be sold to a buyer in the Dominican Republic, but was confiscated by US Customs. It has passed from collector to collector, rebuilt in 1970 but crashing on its first flight. The Lone Star Flight Museum acquired it and restored it, completing it in 1994. It is now in Vancouver, BC with collector Robert Jens, registered C-GSPT.
5 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on July 10, 2017
Quite an interesting history of this bird, George….must’ve had a “plan” in mind seein’s how the skis fell off upon takeoff as I presume they were intended to do.
Greg Kittinger said on July 10, 2017
Nice – good to see a non-typical livery of a commonly modeled subject.
George Henderson said on July 10, 2017
Thanks guys
Jeff Bailey said on July 10, 2017
George, great model & report! It’s very interesting. I wish there were pics of this one wearing skis before takeoff.
Thanks for sharing.
George Henderson said on July 10, 2017
Thanks Jeffry. Might be something here..http://www.vintagewings.ca/en-ca/home.aspx
George Henderson said on July 10, 2017
I was right about that site and it’s one I highly recommend to Bookmark. Scroll down almost half the page to see the Spit on skis..http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/494/Anything-But-Wheels.aspx
david leigh-smith said on July 10, 2017
Hi George. What a history, you couldn’t make up a story like that. Great build and beautiful finish. What was the base kit?
david leigh-smith said on July 10, 2017
Sorry, George – need new reading glasses (too much much modeling). I see it’s the Academy 1/48.
George Henderson said on July 10, 2017
Thank you David
David A. Thomas said on July 10, 2017
Did the nose art come as decals in the kit, George?
George Henderson said on July 10, 2017
Look for Academy Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe “Special Edition” There are Cartograph decals for 6 different aircraft
Anthony Conway said on July 10, 2017
Another unusual subject George. Good stuff.
George Henderson said on July 10, 2017
Thanks Anthony
Gregor d said on July 11, 2017
Looks great George.
Nice back story too.
Cheers Gregor
George Henderson said on July 11, 2017
Thank you Gregor. One of the things I love about this hobby is trying to dig up every bit of info about the aircraft I want to portray
Robert Royes said on July 11, 2017
Yes, a nice piece of aircraft history, and a great build.
George Henderson said on July 11, 2017
Thanks Robert