SPA Modeler

I noticed that the paneling on the tail underneath the horizontal stabilizers were different between the XVIe and XIVe...

XVIe per Tamiya instructions...


XIVe per Junpei Temma's drawings...


So the errant panel lines and rivets were filled in with black CA glue.


New panel lines and hatches were scribed.


Checking our work with a primer coat.

Oh my...

I decided to mount the Quinta instrument panel so the raised details on the kit part needs to be shaved down.



The backing on the Quinta panels is a little sticky after removing it from the decal sheet but not tacky enough to serve as a permanent attachment. So I used PVA glue.


I have a few choices for the Mark IID Gyro gun sight. The Tamiya part is on the right. The Barracuda resin sight in the middle. On the left is a spare resin gun sight from the Special Hobby Tempest kit. The Tamiya version is decent but the additional detail on the resin parts is very evident.


Checking to see how the Barracuda resin gun sight attaches to the instrument panel. The reflector glass and shroud still need to be added to the gunsight.

Excellent choice on the Barracuda gun sight.

With the daughters visiting, I haven't had much time on the modeling bench. I took a few hours looking at some of the cockpit parts. These bulkheads have lightening holes molded as circular depressions.


The holes were drilled out.



Three versions of the control stick. On the left is the kit part. In the middle is the resin version from Barracuda's Spitfire Cockpit Upgrade set. The wires were added after assembly. On the right is the more recent digitally printed control stick from Barracuda.

That is some very fine detailing going into the cockpit. The IP looks excellent, and the replacement control stick and gun sight really dress it up even more.

I’d go with the one on the right.

Lovely work as ever John!

What Stuart said! My goodness.

Thanks guys! In a bit of a holding pattern as I await some XIVe specific cockpit parts from Laminar Flow Designs. Decided to kill some time and assemble and paint the kit instrument panel to see how it would compare with the Quinta Panel. I started off trying to use the decals for the gauges but I had Airscale's instrument decals as well as the PE instrument bezel fret so it was dressed up with those. And I topped each gauge with a clear acetate disc.



Obviously a lot less detail than the Quinta panel but I do like the less cluttered look of the kit panel and the superior contrast between the individual elements.