Falcon 1/48 Spitfire F.R.XVIII – vacuform
This was done about 2004. The Falcon 1/48 F.R. XVIII vacuform. Still the most accurate Spitfire XIV/XVIII in 1/48. I used a resin cockpit (something I had, nobody can really tell the detail differences between Spitfire cockpits in 1/48 scale unless you're Roy Sutherland), and national insignia decals from the dungeon, with the kit decals for serial number and squadron markings, with landing gear from the parts box, prop from an Academy kit.
The kit is still available and still excellent with a little extra effort.
I never had much luck with vacs (I guess they take actual talent...unlike my mere "assembling" abilities).
Tom... great example of creative modeling. I never seem to keep the right parts around, or I find them too late. Pretty looking "Spit".
Make vaсuform model - a feat! It looks great!
Beautiful work on that one, Tom. Seamless construction and none of the alignment or warp issues we so often see with vacuform builds. The camoflage and markings look great.
Falcon vacuforms can be favorably compared to Dynavector, without the white metal parts.
There's a good argument to be made that the way to get a good 1/48 Sea Fury is the Falcon vacuform kit with landing gear and prop and cockpit from Cooper Details and decals from one of the 1/48 sheets now available. It has far better shape than either the Hobbycraft or the Trumpeter kits.
Looks great from here-beyond the pale of my experience.
From the photo's it doesn't look like a vacuform kit. Looks more mainstream and begs the question...What version of the Spitfire have you not done?
Excellent work TC.
Done them all.
I built the kit back in the late 1980s. Considering its a vacform, STILL one of the best 48th scale Griffon Spitfire kits out there. Excellent choice of subject for the vacuform newbie, but Falcon always did great work on everything they made.