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46 | RCM&E

www.modelﬂ ying.co.uk | January 2012

KIT REVIEW | Semi-scale warbird

ROB STENHOUSE HOOKS UP WITH E-SCALE’S

VERSION OF THE CHARISMA

TIC NAVAL FIGHTER

rom the Mk.1b through the

most proliﬁ c Mk.3 to the

‘ultimate hooked Spitﬁ re’ that

was the type 47, there’s no denying

that the Supermarine Seaﬁ re

deserves to be modelled far more

than it is. Overshadowed by its more

glamorous land-based sibling, I think

it makes a nice change from the

norm. Good news, then, that E-Scale

has produced this ARTF version, the

markings of which are based on the

full-size F17 SX336 based at North

Weald. That said, from a true-scale

perspective the model lacks the

bubble canopy and prominent

cylinder head bulges above the

exhaust stacks, yet as a stand-off /

semi-scale rendition it does a

generally decent job.

GIANT IN THE OFFICE

Distributed in the UK by J. Perkins,

this 64.5” (1640mm) Seaﬁ re requires

either a .75 – .91 two-stroke or .91 –

1.20 four-stroke, and is suitable for

6-channel R/C operating eight servos.

The kit, complete with a set of

mechanical retracts, arrives well

packed and protected within a large

box, the airframe being of built-up

balsa and ply construction. The

Oracover ﬁ nish had a few wrinkles (no

doubt caused by humidity changes

during the model’s long journey from

the factory in Vietnam), however a

Seaﬁ re

factory-fresh ﬁ nish was soon restored

with a few iron passes here and there.

A pilot ﬁ gure is pre-ﬁ tted but, alas,

he’s very big for what amounts to a

1/7-scale model. It’s an inconsistency

that reinforces the model’s sport-

scale status. The canopy is pretty

well glued and screwed, so

swapping him out for a ﬁ gure nearer

the correct size runs the risk of

spoiling the model’s ﬁ nish. Not

worth it in my opinion, but it does

beg the question why a pilot of the

proper proportions couldn’t have

been ﬁ tted at the factory?

Although the pilot

bust is horribly

large, the model’s

overall appearance

is very good.

Apparently, E-Scale

worked with the

Fleet Air Arm

Museum to ensure

that the Oracover

ﬁ nish is the correct

colour.

SEAFIRE.indd 46SEAFIRE.indd 46 5/12/11 10:04:545/12/11 10:04:54

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
KIT REVIEW | Semi-scale warbird Seafire Although the pilot bust is horribly large, the model’s overall appearance is very good. Apparently, E-Scale worked with the Fleet Air Arm Museum to ensure that the Oracover finish is the correct colour. rom the Mk.1b through the most prolific Mk.3 to the ‘ultimate hooked Spitfire’ that was the type 47, there’s no denying that the Supermarine Seafire deserves to be modelled far more than it is.
PAGE 2
words » Rob Stenhouse | photos » Andy Ellison Anyhow, separately bagged and labelled bundles of hardware abound, making life a little easier when identifying the specific parts needed as the build progresses. All of the aforementioned parts are eminently fit for purpose, indeed I didn’t feel the need to replace anything, although I did employ a few Z-bends rather than swing keepers and EZ links in one or two places. That, however, was purely personal preference.
PAGE 3
KIT REVIEW | Semi-scale warbird Top marks to E-Scale for delivering a warbird that’s just a little different. The exhaust detail is part of the cowl moulding, and very nicely done. The fin looks every bit Seafire. The rudder light is a nice touch, too. A good prop really sets the model off. This is from the superb Xoar range. 48 | RCM&E SEAFIRE.indd 48 although they worked okay on the bench, I wasn’t convinced at all that the oleos would stand up to much.
PAGE 4
words » Rob Stenhouse | photos » Andy Ellison compensation rather than the down trim I suspected. This, then, suggests that the flaps are working as drag producers rather than lift producers. With the Saito (spinning a fantasticlooking, pre-painted Xoar W.W.II series 15 x 8” beech propeller) burbling nicely and full up elevator holding the tail down, I gently throttled up and the model accelerated down the strip.