The Spitfire PRXI(T), the conversion that doesn't need a conversion......

[Freightdog862]

Ah! And I've just put an order in with you Colin! 

Could I add the Brigade conversion to my order and you invoice me for it please?

Certainly. I found it deep in the shed (which was the hardest part), and will add to the box. No charge for the Brigade set, I know it's going to a good home.

I've also included a white metal contra prop for the MB.5.

Thanks,
Colin

[PR19_Kit]

Colin, you're one GREAT guy, thanks very much.         

[Wardukw]

Why don't ppl make contra props in 48th ?
Would make my wiffy ideas a damn site easier to come to life I can tell ya .

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks to the wonderful Mr. Freightdog I now have a Brigade Models Tr.9 conversion kit. 

It's not perfect but it's a whole order better than the M&E one, lovely panel lines, and accurate shape too.



The fuselage halves needed a bit of fettling, but what low production kits don't? It came out looking pretty good once I'd done with the filing and sanding, and here it is compared to the KP PRXI fuselage.



You can see in this case they pretty well are the same, correct length, and the panel lines align with each other nicely, so it was out with the razor saw!



I didn't want to lose the superb wing/fuselage alignment of the KP kit, so sawed just the upper part of the fuselage out in both cases, and they fit pretty well. Nothing that a tad PSR won't sort out anyway. The big difference is the thickness of the mouldings, the Brigade one being almost THREE times as thick as the KP one! 

I'll probably have to chop chunks off the KP cockpit interior to get it to fit, but it's a small canopy anyway, so no-one will notice that I'm sure. The Brigade conversion comes with a complete rear cockpit assembly, floor, panel and seat, but moulded in clear, along with the rear canopy, that's a bit different.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with the progress on this project so far, mostly thanks to Colin Freightdog!         

[Diamondback]

Coincidence that Airfix Model World's June issue has a cover story about an Irish TR.9 build from their new kit?

[PR19_Kit]

Yeah, and it's 1/48 of course.

I've very little hope they'll do it in 1/72 as well, they just don't think like that any more.

[PR19_Kit]

Hmmm, it sort of works, or it will do once I've fettled the various bits of the Brigade conversion that don't match each other...........



Overall the Brigade parts are too wide for the KP fuselage, but it was designed to fit the Italeri Mk. IX so I guess I can't complain too much. I've filed down the inboard edges of the Brigade parts and it's almost there now, but the various connection parts of the two cockpits don't match each other fore and aft, so they'll need a little trimming. The all important fit of the aft canopy is OK though, a big relief.

Trying to build the cockpit is trying, even SEEING the clear parts is difficult, but so far I have the KP seat and rudder bars matched with the Brigade floor OK. The clear rear panel will need painting before I can get it in place, now I just look right through it!

It's getting there, slowly.............