Supermarine Seafang F32 [Orlik 1:33]

[Lex]

Hi, I would like to present my build of the Supermarine Seafang by Orlik at 1:33 scale.

I had built this to complement the Spitfire Va, as an 'alpha and omega' of the Spitfire family. I actually preferred the look of the Griffon variants to the Merlin ones, and the contra propeller designed for carrier operation just adds more beauty to the mix. I am very glad that Orlik published this model.

This build is more of an experiment, to see if punching rivets on reflective paper can mimic the surface finish of actual planes better than a matt cardmodel. (Declaration, I have the original kit, two copies in fact.) I quite liked the result, but it was simply too much effort to repeat again. Apologies for not documenting the build process on the way.

Review and things to watch out for:

Fuselage come together with no issues. There is a slight gap at the bottom of the wingroot but can be fixed with ease. The instrument panel is very dark and also unrealistic (the Seafang's panel was split into three stepped sections, the model provided a flat one), I made a laser-cut replacement for it. There are four portholes on the aft fuselage where reconnaissance camera are fitted. For a realistic colour I have opened those and covered with glazing, with a fake camera lens fitted inside. There were no canopy for this type available, so I vacformed one with a plaster mould. I am happy to provide canopies for anyone building this kit (subject to international P/P). Although late-mark Spitfire bubble canopies are available from GPM, the Seafang had a slightly different one.

The wing root and wing suffer from considerable design issues, multiple builds of the Seafang required replacing the forward end of the wing root fillet. The fillet was also too narrow. Underwing radiators did not follow the wing shape and needs a lot of trimming. The ailerons will fit only with much convincing. The gear bay is too small for the opening on the wing and needs to be fixed. The intake is too straight and I cut a slot in it to form it into a realistic shape. The wing was held onto the fuselage by the fillets only: the spar was part of the fuselage former and didn't allow any modification to the wing root, so I had to cut it off completely.

Considering the contemporary quality of Halinski, this is not a top-end design. But overall, a pleasant build of a beautiful plane. Definitely a 5/5 experience

[Lex]

I'd like to finish with showing the Seafang together with the Spitfire. I think the side-to-side comparison bears witness to how much fighter aircraft design has progressed over the course of the second world war. Despite being of the same lineage, almost no feature are shared between the two aircraft.

[YOAVHOZMI]

this is a great job....well done.

YOAV

[Damraska]

That looks truly lovely.

If I may hazard one small recommendation, you can remove the glossy sheen on the tires by using a very small amount of black pigment. I linked the product I use. Any good hobby shop will carry it or something similar. 'Painting' with pigment is a lot like smearing the graphite on a pencil sketch and achieves similar results. Pigment will stay in place basically forever as long as you do not handle the dusted parts. Anyway, if you want to experiment, pigments can produce some very interesting effects on card models.

I have that model in my collection but alas, it must wait.

[wireandpaper]

Thank you for sharing.
Your model is a beauty.
I guess the Orlink really likes these ultimate propeller driven planes (with the MB5).

[Kevin WS]

Beautiful model and build! Well done!

[SmashedGlass]

What reflective paper is this that you used?

[Don Boose]

Another beautiful model, Lex!

Thanks for the background information, the identification of issues with the build, all those excellent images documenting the model, and the comparison with the Mk, V.

Don

[Texman]

Nicely done

[Mike1158]

I think shoe polish might do as well for the tyres. Amazing how the Spitfire changed with the design having little in common between the MK I and the MK XIV let alone the Spiteful and Seafang.


THAT is a fantastic build and my day is better for seeing it, thanks.