Tiger Force Spiteful F26

[PR19_Kit]

As a backup to my planned MB5 variant for this GB I decided on an 'in service' Spiteful, just because I like how they look, and I know they didn't fly too well but they were QUICK!

I haven't got a whole Spiteful kit, but I do have an AZ Seafang, so I can do what Supermarine did in reverse, and chop the hook off and fix the wings in the down position, eh? 

Here's the components of the build.





Yeah, I know it's a Mustang, its bits will be added later in the build.

The 'Sprue shot' is here.....



And it's all pretty basic stuff, other than the option of a 5 bladed prop or a 6 bladed contra-prop. I'm going for the latter even though AZ want me to GLUE both halves together and then GLUE it on the nose. NO chance, mine will rotate fully, in both directions.

It's a very simple kit really, and amazingly the parts fit quite well, even though many of them look NOTHING like what they're shown as in the instructions! So far the vestigial cockpit is built, all 6 parts of it, and it's fitted to the fuselage, which has been closed up too. And I've fitted the main gear bays to the lower wing and added the radiators underneath as well.





 

[NARSES2]

Must admit I found this a reasonable kit    Not as good as their Spitfires, but a decent build. Looking forward to your take on it Kit.

[The Wooksta!]

It's a decent enough kit, although the cockpit is somewhat fictional and the canopy is a bit meh.  Don't forget to fill the wing fold line.

As for numbering, it's more likely to be a Spiteful F.16 - the F.14s were the initial production, the 15 was a one off and the remainder, with the Seafire 47 style cowls were designated F.16.  The contra prop was only for the navalised versions - less chance of swinging on takeoff or landing.  I don't think any Spiteful received a contra prop.

I've done a few over the years, one as an RN machine and a second in Dutch markings.

Switzerland were interested in the Spiteful too, but were rejected by the MoS.

Photo of my Dytch one, but blink and you'll miss it. Northern Model Show 2019, I think.
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[PR19_Kit]

The contra prop was only for the navalised versions - less chance of swinging on takeoff or landing.  I don't think any Spiteful received a contra prop.

Yes, the F.15 was supposed to have either 5 bladers or contra-props. It's mentioned here

https://oldmachinepress.com/2019/10/05/supermarine-spiteful-and-seafang-fighters/.

I just wanted my number to be well outside the range of anyone else's Whiffed Spiteful/Seafang, it may change later on.

[PR19_Kit]

There's mucho PSR needed on the AZ Spiteful, and a fair amount if filing to ensure some parts fit. The ejection pins on the top of the main gear bays prevent the top wing sections from sitting down properly, and even when they're filed off I still needed to file down the front edge of the gear bays themselves. As Lee pointed out, the wing fold lines need to be filled, but the wing roots, specially the port one REALLY needed to be filled too. Previous to adding the  lower wing, I'd PSR'd the fuselage seams, but that wasn't too bad.

I'm wondering about how to get the prop halves to rotate, and I think it'll involve styrene tubing and a toothpick or two, a technique I used quite nicely on my RW Spitfire PR1C. We all learn by our experience of course. 



I find I'm now building THREE models at once, maybe four if I include the MB5 project. I must be nuts! 

[Gondor]

I find I'm now building THREE models at once, maybe four if I include the MB5 project. I must be nuts! 

Welcome to the club

[Rick Lowe]

I find I'm now building THREE models at once, maybe four if I include the MB5 project. I must be nuts! 

Welcome to the club

Yup... 

Only 3? Well you have to walk before you can run, I suppose... 

[The Wooksta!]

Lightweights...

[PR19_Kit]

What I mean is I'm actually BUILDING them now, but I have 50+ projects that are theoretically 'In Build', but most are located 120 miles away............

[Rick Lowe]

  

[kitbasher]

It's a repop of the AZ Seafang not a new mould, yes?  Saw one at the Southdowns show and noted different plastic to the original AZ Seafang.

[PR19_Kit]

It's a repop of the AZ Seafang not a new mould, yes?  Saw one at the Southdowns show and noted different plastic to the original AZ Seafang.

I think so Dave, this one's 'updated' in so far as it has a set of canopy masks, but the plastic looks exactly the same as the rather basic original run.

[kitbasher]

Ta, Kit.

Did you remember the nose shim, or is the AZ Seafang's  kit's nose not as skinny in plan view as their Spiteful's?

[PR19_Kit]

Er, nose shim?

Was that to do with the 'fixed' prop they suggest? I can't see a shim anywhere, please can you explain further?

[The Wooksta!]

Both of the AZ Spiteful and Seafang kits use the CMR kits as masters and the noses are woefully skinny.  You need a shim of between both halves to get the width anywhere near correct.  The AZ Spiteful is particularly bad, the Seafang less so.  I've done one of the Spitefuls and positively loathed it.  So much so I sold off the others I had at a loss to be shot of them.  The Seafang is less bad, although not ideal.  It is at least buildable.

I've got both the original AZ Seafang and the more recent boxing but they're both buried somewhere in the loft where I can't get to them (even if I could remember which box they're in) so can't check them.