Argentine Spitfire PR.XI

Hi All!
Everyone on this list knows I like Spitfires, and I have built more than a few. I would like to build one of each variant of the Spitfire, and at least one of each country that flew them. I needed a PR.XI, which was one of the most widely used recon Spitfire, but what country? The book “Spitfire International” from Air Britain came to my rescue. Argentina received one flyable Spitfire, a PR.XI. The PR Spit was purchased privately to do survey work in Argentina, but the contract evaporated, and the Argentine Air Force used the PR.XI. For the majority of the Spitfire's life in Argentina, it flew in a simple scheme of PRU Blue, with a Blue/White tail and the civilian registration “LV-NMZ”. I was liking this, simple scheme and simple decals!

    The kit used was ICM's Spitfire IX. Why? Since I have quite a few of these kits and none of the better overall Eduard Spitfires, I used what I had. In addition an Airwaves “Spitfire PR.XI” conversion set was utilized. Also the Quick Boost PR.XIX camera set was used. 

      The Airwaves set was incomplete (do not know why) so the scrap box provided the slipper tank, the deeper chin (for the larger oil tank), 4-Spoke wheels, an Aeroclub tailwheel and someone's Volkes AeroVee intake. The cockpit and fuselage were assembled with a camera port in the radio hatch. A hatch was also scribed on the Starboard side of the fuselage. The deeper chin was built using the ICM rear of the lower cowl, and the front of the cowl from a Tamiya Spitfire Vb Trop kit. The wings were then assembled, filling the panel lines (this PR.XI had most of the panel lines filled and sanded for a smooth surface). Camera ports were added to the underside of the fuselage. A 95 gallon slipper tank (the largest I had!) was attached. Most of the remaining bits were then glued on and the kit was prepped for painting. The Mk.XII style rudder was painted Lt. Blue/White/Lt. Blue. The remainder o the aircraft was in PRU Blue. Testor's Pla enamel was used for the Lt Blue, Testor's Primer White for the white and Polly Scale or the PRU Blue. When dried, a coat o Future was applied, and the decals added. Image show the stencils were intact, so they were applied. They came from an Aeromaster Spitfire Stencil set. Finally the civilian registration, LV-NMZ was added from a Model Decal serial number set. The canopy and backlite were from the ICM kit, but the windscreen was from the Airwaves conversion set. And of course, I ruined the vacuformed windscreen cutting it out. The model sat for a month until I found another, and I was fortunate that I successfully removed it from its backing.

   A flat clear was sprayed on, and the remaining bits of the model added. The model represents a Supermarine Spitfire PR.XI, PL972   with a civilian registration LV-NMZ flown to Argentina for survey work. It was eventually turned over to the Argentine Air Force, one of two in Argentina, and the only one in Argentine markings.

                       The ICM family of two stage Spitfires are no longer the best Spitfire model of the two-stage Merlin Spitfire, but it is not bad. With a little bit of work it turns into a nice model, and can be had for cheap.

                            Another mark of Spitfire in my collection, along with another country. Only a few countries remain missing from my shelves (Portugal, Burma, Italy, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, USSR,) and a few more marks to complete the collection.

                      The ICM Spitfire is recommended but does require some effort.    

Those with sharp eyes will notice the lack of a seat, which fell out unbeknownst to me right before the pictures were taken. I have replaced it.

Bruce

1 additional image. Click to enlarge.