[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Ara1

The one minus for the kit is the wingtips, which in my example had a slight droop (forgive the picture quality).

My attempt to gently correct this snapped the plastic tip off.



The good news is the fit is so tight, I can push it back in place, and I will also have no problem supergluing this item to its correct configuration, without a droop.

The wingtips are a drawback but many of us suspected there would be an issue as the first edition Spitfire was the clipped version. The problem is not a showstopper and can be fixed. .

Grade: 9/10.

Ara1, please forgive me for hijacking and hacking your post, but I just have an idea for the Spitfire 'wingtip' problem. See pic below.



If HM ever decides to put out a "Seafire version" of the Spitfire Mk XIV, maybe they could have the 'wingtips' fold like that on each end, and even go for the whole shabang like what is shown above. If they could do that with their Panther jet, why not on a later version Spit? I know, it probably won't fly with the others on this forum... but hey, it's just a thought.

[Elmer]

Outstanding review, Ara! I couldn't get on line last night to read it (and I was dying to!). Thanks for posting the pics and your thoughts, much appreciated. What do you think of the canopy shape?

[Shamrock]

Thanks for posting the excellent snaps Ara1. This is the Spit I've been waiting for as I prefer the razorback for some reason. The fit on the gun access panel is amazing and I until I saw your snaps, undiscovered. I had the same wing tip problem with a Gemini Spit but managed to repair it.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by Elmer

Outstanding review, Ara! I couldn't get on line last night to read it (and I was dying to!). Thanks for posting the pics and your thoughts, much appreciated. What do you think of the canopy shape?

Thanks Elmer. The canopy shape looks fine. Maybe I'm not picky in this area? Looks normal to me.

[larz]

Got mine today. Based on the pictures I was worried about that wingtip droop, but the droop on mine isn't too pronounced
and I can live with it. Otherwise, fit and finish are great. I didn't realize until I sat the 2 models together how much bigger the
Mark XIV is over the Mark IX.

Larz

[Ara1]

I've repaired the right tip and can show you in photos. First you'll need some gap-filling super glue and two blades, a chisel and a #12 Xacto-type.



All you need to do is to scrape out the dried factory glue (and the locating tab) in the wing tip piece and the dried glue in the open slot in the wing. Use the chisel blade first and take care not to cut yourself. You'll really need to scrape away the locating tab, as it hampers a flat fit and isn't necessary. Use the #12 blade to finish the work; make sure to get all the plastic and metal pieces off the gluing surfaces.






Dry-fit the parts to see how far you need to go. The pieces should hold together by themselves, the fit is that good.

Apply glue to the wingtip, ensuring thin and even coverage. I use gap-filling glue (thicker glue) as it tends not to run.



Attach the piece, check both the top and bottom of wing for a tight, clean fit, and make sure the tip neither droops nor raises. Voila, you're done!









The hardest part of my repair was photographing it! Good luck!

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

If HM ever decides to put out a "Seafire version" of the Spitfire Mk XIV, maybe they could have the 'wingtips' fold like that on each end, and even go for the whole shabang like what is shown above. If they could do that with their Panther jet, why not on a later version Spit? I know, it probably won't fly with the others on this forum... but hey, it's just a thought.

Maybe! That would be one funky fold!

[Ara1]

Here are some ideas for future releases. Look, the wingtip broke in the first pic...

[STARMAN 352ND]

Great step by step pictures....Where is the final picture of your fixed wing tips?
Does it look straight now ?
JP

[Nimrod48]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

I'm hoping HM will spit out (no pun intended) a Seafire version!

This would be a must have model for me ......& as Ara1 suggested a silver spit would also be welcome I saw one in the early 60s at RAF Waterbeach it looked so