Thank you for all the compliments. It means alot, especially from Les McDonald!!
I tried to clip a bit of the post from last years Concours thread to explain the lineage of this model. Having failed at that, here is the short(er) version.....
This model started life as Jack Sheeks Seafang published in Flying Models, Apr 79. I remember when the issue arrived in the mail, what an impression on such a young aspiring modeller! It featured a Genesis foam wing and ST 46. By the time I began construction in Feb 2006 (yes, a decade ago now) the model transformed into a Spitfire Mk XIV with clipped tip, bubble canopy and broad chord rudder. An LA 46 seemed an appropriate replacement of the Tigre, and I couldn't stomach a foam wing. So.... This is a D tube version of Mike Ditrichs Cobra 7, with some dihedral. The only thing left from Jacks model is most of the Stab/Elev outline.
This model went through a very lengthy build for various reasons. When it was finally completed it features my first attempt at PolySpan tissue (thx to Sparkys video and conversations with Tom Morris), Certified dope, and I molded the canopy. This model was never intended to see competition, only meant to be a nice model to put in a pattern (I swear Brett, no joke!). Multiple factors conspired to make this an accidental Nats Entry for me and it was a highly rewarding week.
Since then I have had more time to fly it and get the trim closer than at the Nats, where I put four practice flights in on Sunday afternoon and had a total of 53 by weeks end. Bill Werwage has flown it multiple times and has been complimentary of its performance. Even with "mild power" available. It seems fitting as this model is a very close relative of quite a few Werwage designs. As quoted in the Man and his Museum video, the small yellow Junar is an inline version of Mikes Cobra 7. That model was also a Concours winner in 1994 at Lubbock. Additionally, Jerry Phelps ST 46 Avian was a D tube Cobra 7 that he campaigned around the midwest in the late 80s to early 90s. Bob Hunts Saturn is the same wing, hence Whitelys Shoestring. So you can see I had a few good reasons to go this direction.
This model was a pleasing departure for me in aesthetics, and an exercise in patience and perseverance. As much as I enjoyed the finished model, the first time I laid it inverted from the reverse wingover I said, "Boy I wish this thing had a scoop on it!" And no, I don't mean the ones that Supermarine used. Lol:-)
Fly Stunt,
Todd
Topic: Todd's White Spitfire (Read 3439 times)
