Seafire XV Panel Nearly Done.

I think I’ve been e member here for a while but usually lurk rather than posting! A couple of posts maybe in four or five years.

I’m sure there was a thread dedicated to ‘projects/panels’ but I can’t seem to find it now. Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Anyhow, I used to collect a lot of aviation stuff 30 years ago, buying bits and pieces that looked interesting in a random way but back in the day when I never seemed to pay over £5 for anything. Boy do I now wish I’d bought more! A couple of years ago, wifey decided that it was time to do something with all of the boxes of ‘scrap’ sitting in the loft. Being a dutiful husband, I agreed to go through the lot and shift it all on. Going through the boxes somehow rekindled my interest and a cunning plan formed when I surveyed my ‘scrap’ (now looking like treasure) and I decided to focus my collection into a couple of panels (Spitfire and Lancaster) as there seemed to be a good basis for both. The Spitfire panel became a Seafire XV panel (I’ve always had a fascination for the Seafire above the Spitfire) and the Lancaster went onto the back burner for now. I then sold or traded everything else to focus on those panels. You could say that I had a good start. That said, I don’t have deep pockets so it’s largely been put together utilising what I had available or could raise from selling off unrequired bits and pieces. I have had to use some repro or substitute parts and I’ve fabricated bits and bobs where I could (I’ve had some background in old school engineering which has been enormously useful).

So, barring some remaining fluff (panel labels and a couple of other bits), the Seafire panel is nearly complete. Finally, I have something to post.

Here’s the panel as it currently stands.

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I also fiddled a fair bit with the panel rear. It looked like this before I reattached the BFP.

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It’s taken about a year and a half to put together. I wouldn’t like to consider how much time went into research. I’ve also have a fair bit of help from folks who are also members here who’ve helped with research material and engineering drawings, part numbers etc. There’s a lot of knowledge out there!

I’d be pleased to know what you think as this is my first effort. The panel will form part of a cased display eventually with associated bits and bobs included. I’m about to start research for the Lancaster panel now that this one is drawing to a close and well, there’s that other little grouping for another future project starting to call …………………….