Lets talk Spitfires now!

egonzinc · 11-01-2001, 06:20 PM

Ok I need some help here. When looking at the Armour Spitfire offerings I like the type with the pointed wing tips and find the "chopped off wing tip" odd looking.
What is the stiry with the square wing tip mdel?
Why this variation?
Also I remeber a model by Revell in 1/32 of a Seafire. Was this type ever used on a carrier?
What I remember was that the Spitfire had the pointed wing then square then back to pointed but would love to see some one here explain the reasoning behind the drastic change in wing shape.
Eduardo

justin · 11-01-2001, 06:36 PM

Hi Ed, the clipped wings were optimised for low altitude performance, so they served as fighter bombers, ground support and low to mid altitude fighters. At high altitudes their performance fell off greatly, but they were faster down in the weeds, that's why those air racers in the American desert have clipped wings. Clipping the wings reduces drag, but reduces lift at the same time. The pointed wings were the main wing for high altitude photo recon,interceptor and air superiority Spitfires, with about 20,000 made Spits served in a lot of roles

The Seafire served the FAA in large numbers, they were the main air superiority fighter of Task Force 57 in the battle of Okinawa but their fragile undercarriage meant they had a terrible accident record in deck landings. In the air they were superb, but they were not really suited to be a carrier fighter, but neccessity sometimes forces less than ideal solutions. Hope this helps,

Justin

egonzinc · 11-01-2001, 10:13 PM

Justin,
Like the full wing look better. but I'll keep and eye on the clipped wing releases...

Itis interesting how the British aces had their initials as the plane ID letters. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
I guess the age of chivalry revived but why would an ace want to be easily identified on the battlefield? Always found this curious!
I could envision a Troyan Horse tactic of flying an Ace plane as a decoy and then capitalizing on those trying to "take out the ace"!
Just a thought!
Thx for the info...
E

Ozz · 11-02-2001, 12:08 AM

Hey E, It wasn't the aces but the Wing Commanders that got to put their initials on their aircraft and pick a permanent call sign.
I wish they would make Johnnie Johnson's JE@J. To go with Bader's D@B, I think that would nicely represent the Tangmere Wing.

justin · 11-02-2001, 05:07 AM

I agree with Ozz, here, Johnnie Johnson would be a great choice, as one of the most famous RAF fighter pilots of the war.

I agree with Ed about the wings too, the eliptical wing of the Spitfire was one of the things that made it such a beautiful fighter, the clipped ones looked a bit odd. To make matters more complicated, in addition to standard and clipped wings, there were also extended wings that were kind of like the standard wing but with a much greater span and these were very pointed, almost strange looking again, for photo recon and high altitude interceptors.

Justin

Ozz · 11-02-2001, 08:10 AM

I'm with both of you on the clipped wing, they look good in photos but not so good in real life.
I decided to pass on the Armour version in favor of Baders, mostly for space considerations. But you know, I would jump all over a PR Spit if they made one.

justin · 11-02-2001, 11:00 AM

The PR Spits were beautiful, what amazes me is that their colours were so close to todays low viz schemes, just goes to show that what goes around comes around

I'd love a late model with the tear drop canopy, they were beautiful aircraft. A Griffon engined Mk.XXIV would do the job for me..... Take care,

Justin

egonzinc · 11-02-2001, 03:45 PM

Ok translation please what are PR Spits as I know they are NOT Puerto Rico Spitfires

Justin I'll send you a link tonight to some photos I took last night of our "other hobby"... I think you will like them.
As you'll see I was playing around with light intensity and angles.
Tell me what you think when you see them...
E

justin · 11-02-2001, 05:32 PM

Sorry Ed, I slipped into "service speak" there

PR is the RAF jargon for photo reconnaisance, the photo recon spits were painted a low viz blue/grey, they were unarmed and tweeked for rocket speed and very high altitude, many had the long span very pointy wings for very high altitude performance. They were based at RAF Benson mainly, the RAF used all sorts of aircraft for tactical recon duties, but the Benson Spits were the cream of the RAF PR force.
I'm looking forward to the other hobby stuff, mums the word

Justin

egonzinc · 11-02-2001, 08:45 PM

All these special variations will be tough to model as if the fuselage is a bit longer here and the wing a bit larger there it would take a lot of tooling with few possibilities...
I learn something new here everyday!
E

JTGoodwin · 11-02-2001, 10:21 PM

Have you guys seen the Armour Australian Aces Spitfire? great model. I am going to get the french one though.

I think when it comes to the Armour products some of the more limited ones are the best.

For example I think the best Armour model I have is the Spanish F104 great detail and fantastic paint job.

Its a pity that Armour are getting rid of 95 models in their range.

By the way Justin is it true you have 2500 models?

Jason

justin · 11-03-2001, 05:03 AM

2500 models?!! Who's been starting rumours?

I honestly don't know how many model aeroplanes I have, including 1/500, 1/400, 1/200, 1/144, 1/100, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32, 1/24 diecast, resin, mahogany and plastic kits, but I don't think it'll be 2500, certainly it's far too many and if I had a brain I'd reduce it to half it's size

I'd love more Commonwealth models, also more models in the British Commonwealth Pacific theatre markings with the blue and white roundel to avoid confusion with Japanese aircraft. I'm waiting for a British Pacific Fleet F4U in 1/48 from CDC, I can't wait to get that model.

I think CDC must make a lot of special models for specific countries, for instance I think many of their RAF/FAA models are mainly made for the UK market, and I have an Israeli AF camouflage F16 that I bought in Tel Aviv that most people have never seen before so I think it was an Israeli special. The French P38 is a nice model, I was tempted by that...

Justin

egonzinc · 11-03-2001, 05:32 PM

French one?
Australian Ace?
Please elaborate!
I love the Pacific theater roundels, remember making a P-47 'razorback" with those roundels!
E

justin · 11-03-2001, 05:54 PM

You'll have to excuse my ignorance here, but until I saw the model I never realised the French had flown P38's. The model did look nice, they also had a French F4U which was nice. A French model I would like from CDC is an F8F Bearcat in Indochina service. The Bearcat was a great machine built at the wrong time, like the British Fury. The CDC Spit I was impressed by was the one in USAAF Meditteranean theatre tropical camo, it was a really refreshing change from the usual RAF Spit models.

Justin

Ozz · 11-04-2001, 01:25 AM

Now your talking, a Bearcat in any service and how about an Australian Seafury.
If you want French, I'd like to see a Crusader off the Clemenceau.

11-01-2001, 06:20 PM	#1
egonzinc Insane Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Guaynabo,Puerto Rico, USA Age: 52 Posts: 1,732	Lets talk Spitfires now! Ok I need some help here. When looking at the Armour Spitfire offerings I like the type with the pointed wing tips and find the "chopped off wing tip" odd looking. What is the stiry with the square wing tip mdel? Why this variation? Also I remeber a model by Revell in 1/32 of a Seafire. Was this type ever used on a carrier? What I remember was that the Spitfire had the pointed wing then square then back to pointed but would love to see some one here explain the reasoning behind the drastic change in wing shape. Eduardo

11-02-2001, 12:08 AM	#4
Ozz Insane Collector Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada (CYVR) Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	Hey E, It wasn't the aces but the Wing Commanders that got to put their initials on their aircraft and pick a permanent call sign. I wish they would make Johnnie Johnson's JE@J. To go with Bader's D@B, I think that would nicely represent the Tangmere Wing. __________________ Ozz ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL *GO WESTJET!!!* We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

11-02-2001, 08:10 AM	#6
Ozz Insane Collector Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada (CYVR) Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	I'm with both of you on the clipped wing, they look good in photos but not so good in real life. I decided to pass on the Armour version in favor of Baders, mostly for space considerations. But you know, I would jump all over a PR Spit if they made one. __________________ Ozz ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL *GO WESTJET!!!* We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

11-02-2001, 10:21 PM	#11
JTGoodwin Collector Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia Age: 38 Posts: 63	Australian Spitfires Have you guys seen the Armour Australian Aces Spitfire? great model. I am going to get the french one though. I think when it comes to the Armour products some of the more limited ones are the best. For example I think the best Armour model I have is the Spanish F104 great detail and fantastic paint job. Its a pity that Armour are getting rid of 95 models in their range. By the way Justin is it true you have 2500 models? Jason

11-04-2001, 01:25 AM	#15
Ozz Insane Collector Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada (CYVR) Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	Now your talking, a Bearcat in any service and how about an Australian Seafury. If you want French, I'd like to see a Crusader off the Clemenceau. __________________ Ozz ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL *GO WESTJET!!!* We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

11-01-2001, 06:36 PM	#2
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	Hi Ed, the clipped wings were optimised for low altitude performance, so they served as fighter bombers, ground support and low to mid altitude fighters. At high altitudes their performance fell off greatly, but they were faster down in the weeds, that's why those air racers in the American desert have clipped wings. Clipping the wings reduces drag, but reduces lift at the same time. The pointed wings were the main wing for high altitude photo recon,interceptor and air superiority Spitfires, with about 20,000 made Spits served in a lot of roles The Seafire served the FAA in large numbers, they were the main air superiority fighter of Task Force 57 in the battle of Okinawa but their fragile undercarriage meant they had a terrible accident record in deck landings. In the air they were superb, but they were not really suited to be a carrier fighter, but neccessity sometimes forces less than ideal solutions. Hope this helps, Justin

11-01-2001, 10:13 PM	#3
egonzinc Insane Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Guaynabo,Puerto Rico, USA Age: 52 Posts: 1,732	Justin, Like the full wing look better. but I'll keep and eye on the clipped wing releases... Itis interesting how the British aces had their initials as the plane ID letters. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? I guess the age of chivalry revived but why would an ace want to be easily identified on the battlefield? Always found this curious! I could envision a Troyan Horse tactic of flying an Ace plane as a decoy and then capitalizing on those trying to "take out the ace"! Just a thought! Thx for the info... E

11-02-2001, 05:07 AM	#5
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	I agree with Ozz, here, Johnnie Johnson would be a great choice, as one of the most famous RAF fighter pilots of the war. I agree with Ed about the wings too, the eliptical wing of the Spitfire was one of the things that made it such a beautiful fighter, the clipped ones looked a bit odd. To make matters more complicated, in addition to standard and clipped wings, there were also extended wings that were kind of like the standard wing but with a much greater span and these were very pointed, almost strange looking again, for photo recon and high altitude interceptors. Justin

11-02-2001, 11:00 AM	#7
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	The PR Spits were beautiful, what amazes me is that their colours were so close to todays low viz schemes, just goes to show that what goes around comes around I'd love a late model with the tear drop canopy, they were beautiful aircraft. A Griffon engined Mk.XXIV would do the job for me..... Take care, Justin

11-02-2001, 03:45 PM	#8
egonzinc Insane Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Guaynabo,Puerto Rico, USA Age: 52 Posts: 1,732	Ok translation please what are PR Spits as I know they are NOT Puerto Rico Spitfires Justin I'll send you a link tonight to some photos I took last night of our "other hobby"... I think you will like them. As you'll see I was playing around with light intensity and angles. Tell me what you think when you see them... E

11-02-2001, 05:32 PM	#9
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	Sorry Ed, I slipped into "service speak" there PR is the RAF jargon for photo reconnaisance, the photo recon spits were painted a low viz blue/grey, they were unarmed and tweeked for rocket speed and very high altitude, many had the long span very pointy wings for very high altitude performance. They were based at RAF Benson mainly, the RAF used all sorts of aircraft for tactical recon duties, but the Benson Spits were the cream of the RAF PR force. I'm looking forward to the other hobby stuff, mums the word Justin

11-02-2001, 08:45 PM	#10
egonzinc Insane Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Guaynabo,Puerto Rico, USA Age: 52 Posts: 1,732	All these special variations will be tough to model as if the fuselage is a bit longer here and the wing a bit larger there it would take a lot of tooling with few possibilities... I learn something new here everyday! E

11-03-2001, 05:03 AM	#12
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	2500 models?!! Who's been starting rumours? I honestly don't know how many model aeroplanes I have, including 1/500, 1/400, 1/200, 1/144, 1/100, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32, 1/24 diecast, resin, mahogany and plastic kits, but I don't think it'll be 2500, certainly it's far too many and if I had a brain I'd reduce it to half it's size I'd love more Commonwealth models, also more models in the British Commonwealth Pacific theatre markings with the blue and white roundel to avoid confusion with Japanese aircraft. I'm waiting for a British Pacific Fleet F4U in 1/48 from CDC, I can't wait to get that model. I think CDC must make a lot of special models for specific countries, for instance I think many of their RAF/FAA models are mainly made for the UK market, and I have an Israeli AF camouflage F16 that I bought in Tel Aviv that most people have never seen before so I think it was an Israeli special. The French P38 is a nice model, I was tempted by that... Justin

11-03-2001, 05:32 PM	#13
egonzinc Insane Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Guaynabo,Puerto Rico, USA Age: 52 Posts: 1,732	French one? Australian Ace? Please elaborate! I love the Pacific theater roundels, remember making a P-47 'razorback" with those roundels! E

11-03-2001, 05:54 PM	#14
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	You'll have to excuse my ignorance here, but until I saw the model I never realised the French had flown P38's. The model did look nice, they also had a French F4U which was nice. A French model I would like from CDC is an F8F Bearcat in Indochina service. The Bearcat was a great machine built at the wrong time, like the British Fury. The CDC Spit I was impressed by was the one in USAAF Meditteranean theatre tropical camo, it was a really refreshing change from the usual RAF Spit models. Justin

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