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!
Striking finish...nicely accomplished, sir.
Thanks, Craig.
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.
Thanks, David. It adds some color to my Spitfire/Seafire shelves.
Beautifully done! I've always liked the blue RN roundels.
Thanks, Robert!
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
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.
Beautiful build John !
Nice to see your work as always !
Tom Berichon
Looks great!
Thanks, Greg. It's something a little different.
Very well done, John. I think 'black' is a difficult colour scheme and you have nailed it!
Great job. One I want to do also. Even more so now. ?