1/48 Seafire Ib
This is something I’ve been working on part time over the past year while waiting for things to dry, set, etc...on other projects. It’s a Hasegawa limited edition kit that I picked up awhile back. Basically, it’s their Spitfire Vb kit with resin arrestor gear parts and Seafire decals. So, just like a real Seafire Ib, you modify a Spitfire to build it. I was disappointed to find that my resin tail hook was deformed enough that it wouldn’t look good deployed. I built it retracted and filled and sanded it til smooth. The only thing I added to the model was a set of Eduard seatbelts. It’s finished with Humbrol enamels and a light blast of Testors dullcoat. One neat surprise was that the kit comes with decals to do the race car driver Duncan Hamilton’s Seafire that he flew at Port Reitz, Kenya in 1944. This is the option I chose. Hasegawa would have you paint it dark blue but according to evidence presented on a thread over at Britmodeller, Hamilton’s wife confirmed the plane was black. So black it was!
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on October 27, 2018
Striking finish...nicely accomplished, sir.
John Healy said on October 28, 2018
Thanks, Craig.
david leigh-smith said on October 27, 2018
You had me at ‘Seafire’, Jim.
Lovely build and the black really accentuates the beautiful curves and that instantly recognisable dihedral.
Great work on an unusual Spitire.
John Healy said on October 28, 2018
Thanks, David. It adds some color to my Spitfire/Seafire shelves.
Robert Royes said on October 27, 2018
Beautifully done! I've always liked the blue RN roundels.
John Healy said on October 28, 2018
Thanks, Robert!
George Henderson said on October 27, 2018
What ever color it was I love it. I know there is another makers kit out there(Special Hobby?) and after-market decals so its on my to-do list. I know the decal sheet says blue but if the little woman says it was black...black it is
John Healy said on October 28, 2018
The Special Hobby kit is a Seafire IIILF, different animal with an uprated Merlin and folding wings. The SH kit is based on the Tamiya Mk. V and is a poor replica. We really need a new tool Seafire III.
Tom Berichon said on October 29, 2018
Beautiful build John !
Nice to see your work as always !
Tom Berichon
Greg Kittinger said on October 29, 2018
Looks great!
John Healy said on October 29, 2018
Thanks, Greg. It's something a little different.
Paul Barber said on October 30, 2018
Very well done, John. I think 'black' is a difficult colour scheme and you have nailed it!
Paul van Acker said on October 30, 2018
Great job. One I want to do also. Even more so now. ?