FROG F194, Spitfire XIV and Flying Bomb, Rovex industries ltd, 1969
GRIFFON SPITFIRE
FROG have just released a 1:72 scale model of a Griffon-engined Spitfire FXIV with a V1 flying bomb in the same kit. These are excellent models worthy of the highest praise and at last provides the modeller with one good alternative to the seemingly interminable Merlin-Spitfire kits.
The Spitfire model is extremely accurate and has 27 parts. Alternative cockpit canopies in either closed or open form, and open or retracted undercarriage parts are included.
Two sets of transfers, one for No 132 Sqn with SEAC in Hong Kong and the other for No 130 Punjab Squadron come with the kit. We found the model extremely accurate and first rate in detail but there is one minor omission. The F XIV had a retractable tailwheel and this detail seems to have been forgotten. The matter is a minor one though and two small pieces of plastic card will soon correct the fault. Finally, the V1 model included has just four parts. The kit costs 4s 3d.
A.W.H.
Airfix magazine 1969-11
NEW to YOU?
ONE of the most eagerly awaited kits for some time is that for the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. F.X1V complete with V-l Flying Bomb as just released by FROG. Moulded to 1/72 scale in light grey plastic the V-l is certainly one of the simplest kits we have seen. This is made up of four parts with the wings moulded integrally with the upper fuselage half and the lower fuselage fitting into this; the power unit is assembled from left and right hand halves and the whole thing can be cemented together in a matter of minutes; however, the surface detail is excellent including such fine detail as fuel filler caps and launching gear attachment points. The box art shows the model finished in all black; this is correct, but other schemes were seen including light blue bottom half with Black Green upper surfaces and also RLM Grey 02 (a pale greeny-grey colour) overall, rarely were ANY national markings carried.
Turning to the kit of the Spitfire we again find excellent surface detail and a very accurate outline. Fit of parts is generally good but we were very disappointed to see that in incorporating an optional two-piece 'open' cockpit canopy a compromise was necessary with the one piece 'closed' canopy being rather a poor fit and not strictly accurate at that. We hasten to add however that this is not as serious as it may sound and one can improve the appearance of the canopies with a certain amount of cutting and filing, building up the distinctly stepped line of the fuselage immediately aft of the sliding canopy with the rear smaller windows supported by a thin plasticard strip. The 'open' canopy is unfortunately so thick that scale appearance is totally lost and we can imagine few serious modellers bothering with this unfortunate feature though doubtless younger modellers may approve of the idea. Interior cockpit detail includes a seat, control column and armoured seat and bulkhead. The wheels which on FROG kits are always worthy of note once again are of top quality with the correct 'spoked' effect of, the wheel hubs.
Markings are included for an aircraft of 130 'Punjab' Squadron R.A.F. as seen in Belgium 1944 and alternative insignia is given for a 132 Squadron aircraft based in Burma in 1945; the latter including the squadron Rampant Lion badge and the name JEANNE complete with Wing Commanders rank pennants.
It does, of course, form an ideal basis for conversions to a P.R.XIX and other late Spitfire and Seafire variants.
Scale Models, NOVEMBER 1969
NEW to YOU?
MONTHLY REVIEW OF NEW PRODUCTS CONDUCTED BY BOB JONES OF I.P.M.S.
Frog 1/72nd scale XIV Spitfire. The cockpit canopy provided requires careful trimming for snug fit while rear of cockpit transparencies proved to be a little deep. These slight errors are easily corrected. Markings are provided for an aircraft of 132 Squadron Royal Air Force, or a Belgian based Mk. XIV of 13p Squadron. The Spitfire XIV kit also includes parts to make the 1/72nd scale V-1 Flying Bomb.
Scale Models No.3 1969 DECEMBER Vol.1 No.3
NEW to YOU?
Frog 1/72nd scale XIV Spitfire. The cockpit canopy provided requires careful trimming for snug fit while rear of cockpit transparencies proved to be a little deep. These slight errors are easily corrected. Markings are provided for an aircraft of 132 Squadron Royal Air Force, or a Belgian based Mk. XIV of 139 Squadron. The Spitfire XIV kit also includes parts to make the 1/72nd scale V-1 Flying Bomb.
Scale Models, DECEMBER 1969
Modelling world
by James Goulding
Frog's Spitfire XIV and P-40B Tomahawk
TWO new kits have recently been released by Frog—the long-awaited combined kit of a Supermarine Spitfire XIV and Fieseler Fi 103 flying bomb, and the Curtiss P-40B Tomahawk.
The Spitfire XIV was eagerly awaited and will doubtless please some people, but not me. Surely so much is known about the Spitfire's shape that an almost perfect model should have been produced. I know that certain parts of this aircraft are difficult to mould in small scale, such as the wing fuselage fairing. On the full-size Spitfire, this item has "hollowed-out" undersurfaces which are impossible to mould, but a fair representation can be reproduced with flat undersurfaces. But difficulties of this sort can be overcome without affecting the overall appearance. If the general shape is correct, small unavoidable discrepancies are acceptable to assist moulding. But there is no excuse for incorrect outline shapes.
The rear fuselage of this model is reasonably well shaped, but the fin and rudder, and tailplane and elevators are all incorrect in shape. Fortunately, the errors lie in the subtle shape of the curves (the Spitfire had quite a lot in common with Raquel Welch!) and these can be corrected by filing. Careful reference to photographs, even if the original works drawings were not available, should have eliminated these contour errors.
The wing/fuselage fairing is a most peculiar shape, which I cannot believe was necessitated by moulding difficulties. Certainly more correct fairings have appeared in earlier Spitfire kits. Filing again improves the appearance but should not be necessary.
The wing planform is not accurate. It is too wide across the root, which results in the leading edge curving back too much. The tips, too, are narrow across the outer parts, and look alltogether too pointed. The Spitfire is an aircraft of subtle, and varied shapes, and it is easy to spoil the character of the subject by insufficient attention to these contours. As has happened on several Frog kits, the shape on the back of the box is much more accurate than the kit itself. It would be preferable to have the reverse case.
One of the worst features of this model concerns the nose contours. On the Spitfire XIV, the wings, fuselage aft of the front bulkhead, tailplane, and elevators were geometrically identical to the Mk 1. The three radical changes, which completely affected the whole appearance, character and flying of this Spitfire variant, concerned the nose contours, the radiators, the fin and rudder. The tail wheel was retractable, a feature entirely missed on this model. The Griffon engine was larger than the Merlin, resulting in massive cowlings with additional blister fairings. Its propeller also rotated in the opposite direction, v/hich gave an entirely different "feel" to the aircraft. All the Griffon variants had 2 degrees of downthrust, which gave them their characteristically drooped-nose appearance. In order to get sufficient blade area into the propeller design to exploit the available power at high altitudes, within the diameter limits set by the undercarriage height, five blades were used. The mechanism for these resulted in a very large-diameter spinner. On the model there does not seem to be enough room within the nose to house a Griffon, and the spinner diameter is too small. The lower contour of the nose should fair smoothly into the wing underside at its thickest point, but it certainly does not in the kit.
A minor criticism concerns the moulding of the wing-mounted cannons. These have been produced with the 20mm weapons mounted in the outer positions only, with stubs inboard. This layout was mainly associated with the installation of a 0.5in gun in each of the inboard positions. One of the Spitfires for which transfers are provided, FF-B of 132 Sqn, RAF, and possibly the other, featured this arrangement of armament, But the combination of two 20mm guns, in the inner position, and four 0.303 guns was still used on many Mk XIV's, including those from the well-publicised DW-coded 610 Squadron. It would surely have been better to mould all four cannons and then let modellers select which variant they required by removing the unwanted guns.
Canopies are supplied for either closed or open positions, but the moulding of these is very poor. The open version has such thick walls that it looks too clumsy to be used. The other is too small to fit properly. An old Airfix Spitfire IX canopy looks better, provided the gaps are filled.
Transfers are provided for two versions—the one mentioned from 132 Squadron, SEAC, in Dark Green and Ocean Grey, with Medium Grey undersurfaces, and an aircraft from 130 Squadron, RAF, used against flying bombs in this country and later based on the Continent in support of the 21st Army Group; this aircraft had a similar basic colour scheme. I am a little puzzled by the transfers for FF-B. Was the serial only on the port side of the aircraft? Only one is included on the transfer sheet, without any explanation.
The other item in this kit, is, of course, the excellent Fieseler Fi 103 flying bomb. This looks convincingly accurate, and is easily the best part of this kit. The combined kit costs 5s 3d.
AIRCRAFT Illustrated, December 1969
|
