PCM 1/32 Spitfire XIV

By Collin Tatusko

This is my second PCM Spitfire XIV build. Here is the first one. I have started to build my aircraft in-flight 99% of the time now…just because I like the look and don’t like building a lot of details that is covered up by a closed canopy and gear doors…. had to be honest.

The PCM kit is limited-run but if you take your time it turns out to be a good-looking representation. Are they as detailed as a Tamiya kit?, nope. But cost is lower and building can be done quicker, in my opinion.

PCM includes resin cockpit parts and exhaust. Pretty good quality. Of course, most of that cockpit detail can’t be seen. As with most of my in-flight builds, the pilot needed a serious reduction in his rear end to allow him to sit in the cockpit correctly.

The kit goes together well, just take your time and test fit, and you shouldn’t experience many issues. Gear doors, meant to be built in the open position, took some sanding and test fitting…but in the end fit in the closed position very well. I cut off the wheel and top part of the landing gear strut to glue on the inside of the wheel well.

Converting from a XIVc to XIVe seemed quick…remove some gun port openings, fill in some panels. I used aftermarket gun barrels because the kit barrels are a little lacking.

Painting was done with MRP paints primarily… plus a mix of multiple other green and grey colors one shift up and down in value to add some variety to the scheme.

I am not a Spitfire expert…so to allow some “wiggle room” with the in-flight final product idea in my head, I used Squadron 152 markings on both sides and a made up RMXXX number. I pulled reference photos for Far East Spitfires to give me a rough idea of the level of weathering and marking over-spraying that were done overseas. Decals came from multiple sheets, both Barracuda Studios and the kit supplied sheet.

Weathering is a process of oils over VMS satin base…repeated multiple times. The pilot is from Master Details.

You can see the latter part of the build in my thread in the Work in Progress forum. The initial build can be found on the Britmodeller forum.

PCM 1/32 Spitfire XIV

By Collin Tatusko

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