1:48 Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV

The real subject

The Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV is a late version of the British fighter powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon V12 engine. Compared with the Spitfires with the Merlin engine it has a longer and heavier nose, a five-blade propeller and an enlarged vertical tail that balances the stronger torque. The letters FR in the designation stand for a fighter and reconnaissance role: the machine carried photographic equipment behind the cockpit and worked at low altitudes. The FR version was often built with a cut-down rear fuselage and a bubble canopy, which gave the pilot an all-round view.

What the set offers

Photo-etched parts in thin metal sheet for 1:48 scale. Photo-etch allows thicknesses that an injection mold cannot reach, so once fitted, small flat elements look considerably finer than their counterparts from the kit. The set is tuned to a particular kit; the instructions from the manufacturer state which one it is for and the exact range of parts.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts from the fret with a sharp knife on a hard surface, as nippers will bend the edge. Make the bend over a sharp edge or in a bending tool and do it in one movement; bending back and forth repeatedly tires the metal and the part breaks. It is bonded with super glue applied in a minute amount, best of all with a toothpick. Degrease the metal before painting and lay down a base coat, otherwise the paint will not hold on the smooth surface.

Who it is for

For modelers who are building a Spitfire with the Griffon engine in 1:48 scale and want to take the detail beyond the level of the kit. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.