Revell 1/32 Spitfire Mk XIV Conversion
By Jim Brown
This is my latest build using the MK XIV e-wing lowback (bubbletop canopy) conversion kit by AA productions (lroysmodels). This build follows the previous build of the MK XIV c-wing highback conversion. These conversions are built using the Revell MK IIA/MK IX kit. It's a cheap and easily improved kit. For all the minor faults it still makes a very good host kit.
Spitfire MK XIV E Wing
- If using the Revell Mk IIA/Mk IX kit carefully remove the cowls from both sides using drawings and resin conversion as guide, then carefully mark out and remove the spine from the fuselage.
- If using the Hobby boss or Tamiya kit this process is easier as the cowls are separate parts.
- If using the Revell kit, part no. 71 lower cowl/air inlet must be cut level with the front of the wing (fit cowl assembly first) and discarded, on the Hobby boss kit these are separate so discard.
- The first surgery involves removing part of the lower tail section of fuselage for the retractable tailwheel.
- This may be the best time to scribe the corrected lines and and access panels, the cannon covers should be marked and scribed, and replacement covers glued in place. The bulges on the upper wings must be removed, these can be easily removed by scraping down with a sharp round scalpel blade and then sanded totally flat. On the Revell kit there are also a couple of other plates that need to be removed (you may use any other method that suits you).
- Remove the kit tailplane where shown on the scribed line on kit (when fuselage is joined make sure cuts are square), using drawing and/or photos scribe the new lines under the tail and fill unwanted lines.
- When you have assembled the fuselage you will need to fill the join line forward of the cockpit as this was a one piece cover also fill and sand smooth the filler cap, this needs to be scribed in the proper place, also scribe the access plate on the side cover.
- Assemble fuselage and attach cowl taking care to make sure parts are square and glue, you can fill any blemishes /mistakes, when assembly is dry and firmly in place you can now carefully insert and attach the exhausts.
- Add the tailplane making sure to align correctly, you can also add rudder aligning how you desire.
- To add the replacement radiators mark and remove section from lower wing X2 also remove the strengthener from upper wing to ensure a good fit (see pics) glue intake ramps in place below the surface level of wing add two rad faces and radiator fairings, it would be best to dry fit all parts first to ensure good fit (see pics).
- When wings have been assembled and dry, mark and drill locating holes for the cannon and stubs.
- If you want the spinner to rotate you will have to locate and drill hole for rod, add disc on rod after inserting through spinner backplate attaching to spinner, you can now attach the lower cowl, when dry kit part no. 71 can be cut to size attached and moulded recesses can be filled with filler of choice, when dry the air intake can be attached in position.
- The model can be built with full span wings or clipped, I have included replacement tips for this purpose, please note that almost all MK XIVs had full span wings.
- Don’t forget to fill some of the access discs on the wings, and add the others that are required.
- TIP: Carefully position and hold parts in place and dip a needle/pin in superglue and carefully touch between the parts to be attached, this helps to position parts more accurately, once you are satisfied that the parts are aligned to your satisfaction you can the add more glue, it is better to add several layers of glue rather that one big splodge.
© Jim Brown 2017
This article was published on Friday, June 02 2017; Last modified on Friday, June 02 2017