One of my favorite Spitfire Marks is the XIV, So I‘m using this D-Day group build as the catalyst to build the much maligned Academy 1:48 scale Mk. XIVc kit- warts and all. Regardless of the multiple faults I figured I’d build it OOB for a stress free fun build- I made the executive decision long ago not to spend the time or money on all the update sets to make this kit right-besides now that PCM has and accurate Mk. XIV out in 1:32nd scale the point is truly moot. I got this kit at a swap, minus the prop/spinner and wheels. I procured a kit front prop assembly from a friend of mine and dug up some wheels in the spares box. I’m using some old spare PE seat belts (hope I’m not pushing the build rules here). The kit decals for Sqdrn 130 (Machine AP_D) will be replaced by pieced together spare decals for a machine representing Spitfire Mk. XIVc No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (Machine DW_D). Their missions on D-Day were flying convoy patrols and escort cover for Typhoons attacking German shipping off the coast of Normandy.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Stress free and fun was the plan ,I like Academy kits and this looks nice to me.
N.

Al, don't let a few bad cuts shut down the project! It just means more CA glue and filler and sanding...Repeat! Nothing new right?! I've built two of these Academy kits OOB (warts and all) prior to the one I'm working on now-one MK XIVe (lwith wrong colors-thanks to AeroMaster color call out) and one Belgian FR XIVc. Really not technically correct but they look like MK XIV to me.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Looking good Erich. I'm looking forward to watching this Spit build up.

Thanks Neil. Here is the scoop on Spitfire FR Mk XIV RN218/MS-F. This AC served in the SEAC with with 273 Sqdrn, Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, French Indo-China, Autumn 1945. The AeroMaster sheet (48-527) call out for standard European Camo scheme of Ocean Grey & Dark green over Med. Sea Grey. This may have been correct for it when it arrived for SEAC duty. But it would have had its Ocean Grey painted over with Drk Earth soon after it got stationed. I probably should have done some more homework on the colors...Live and learn

Actually the SEAC Mk. XIVs were about 50-50 with the repaint. Ginger Lacey's famous Mk.XIVe was definitely in OG/DG/MSG, with standard national insignia overpainted in
Dark Green. Any SEAC XIV with overpainted national insignia is definitely in the original scheme. If the camouflage pattern doesn't show overpainting of insignia, then it's likely in the Temperate Land Scheme, Dark Earth/Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey.

Looking good so far, Erich. Are you going to use the decal stripes? 🙂

The Griffon engine Spitfires are my favorites of the bunch. That big old front end just makes for an aggressive looking airplane.

Thanks, Erich. I hope your build goes easier than mine did!

The OOB cockpit on this one looks nicer than the Airfix one.