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To the surprise of.... well, probably nobody, during my travels I came across another piece of Road Swag to add to my collection. But, not just any Road Swag... this is a piece that honestly, I'm surprised didn't turn up sooner. Sort of. It wasn't like I hadn't been trying, just circumstances always seemed to make it such that a successful transaction was just beyond my grasp. Well, finally broke that streak of losing.
Presenting S.H. Figuarts Sailor Chibi Moon.
In my mind, I would describe Sailor Moon as not only the first major Magical Girl anime I ever watched parts of in English back in the 90s, but in the grand scheme of things, it would be the Dragon Ball Z of anime geared towards girls. Immensely popular, with a cast that kept growing as the series went on and on. I know more about Sailor Moon than most of the other properties that I've purchased from, but like with Dragon Ball, for me to try to explain it would be quite the disservice.. I'm just gonna stick to Transformers for my lore discussions, thank you. All you need to know is that a bunch of high school girls transform and beat the crap out of a monster-of-the-week.
Much like Dragon Ball, Bandai eventually released a series of Figuarts based on the characters from both the Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon S lines, with the latter giving the Sailor Scouts their Super forms, along with an actual effect, making those a better deal, as it were. If I were going to get a set of the girls, I'd naturally gun for those. I really haven't been able to find any of those for relatively cheap.. or any of the regular line either, for that matter. Further complicating matters is that like with Sentai, it seems that the ball was dropped somewhere and not everyone got a Super figure. I think I'm using too much brain power thinking about this.
Anyway, I finally found a reasonably priced Sailor Moon Figuarts, which just happened to be Sailor Chibi Moon.
In the unlikely event you, my dear reader, have never watched any of Sailor Moon, the story starts getting complicated with the appearance of Chibi Moon here. So, based on my memory and internet research, Sailor Chibi Moon is better known as Chibiusa in her civilian form (Rini in the 90s dub I watched). the daughter of Usagi and Endymion (Serena and Darien). She sent back into the past to prevent the forces of evil from corrupting her in the future. In the past, she basically discovers who her parents are, that they have the ability to Henshin into super heroes, and eventually gains the ability to change into one herself, calling herself Sailor Chibi Moon.
Yeah, told you.. I'd be butchering any explanations.
Chibi Moon is probably the most visually diverse of the group, being full on anime in terms of her colouring (predominately pink). She is also living her own gimmick (Chibi refers to short and cute) being a kid pretty much throughout the entire series (except for the dark future arcs, but that's another story for a different figure). Much like a child, she's initially portrayed as a brat, always getting on her mothers nerves, fighting for the affection of her father, but she does eventually mature.. somewhat. But that wouldn't for another series or two, I believe. But enough about that - let's move on to the figure.
Seeing how this is my first Sailor Moon Figuarts, I don't know how she scales in terms of accessories, but I think they gave her a little something extra to compensate for the smaller size. Oh, Pro-Tip... keep an eye on EVERYTHING when you're changing parts and what not, because these things are tiny and they fall to the ground, well good luck finding it.
There's the figure itself, four total expressions (neutral, happy, attacking, determined) which I think is one more than normal, an addition hair piece featuring her Wing Hairclips, her Pink Moon Rod weapon, a variety of hands including some moulded in the various gang signs that the Sailor Scouts are known for, and, dare I say it.. an actually freaking stand. And due to the weight imbalance of her giant head, you're probably going to be using the heart shaped base quite a bit.
For those keeping score at home, Dragon Ball, a series known for its flying characters, gigantic Ki blasts, and insane battle scenes, has figures that don't come with a stand. Magical girl anime.. yes, lets throw in a stand. You can probably see that Bandai wanted to make sure the Sailor Moon line sold, and wasn't worried about the Dragon Ball line in the slightest.
Lets talk appearance. There is no doubt that this is Chibi Moon. Everything including her hair and outfit, her silhouette, and the shape of her face and expressions - pretty much ripped right out of the anime and made into 3D. The face plates really are what sells this figure (as with most figures, really) as the sculptors captured her expressions quite accurately and with the right pose, just oozes personality. One face plate that I would expected to see with Chibi Moon is a winking one, which sadly is not present.
The nitpicky part of me has to mention that the face does seem a tiny bit off, being sharper around the jaw and chin whereas it seems more rounded in the anime (the 90s one anyway), but it's nothing I'd lose sleep over. Bandai even went to duplicated those two curly hairs that Chibi Moon has near her bangs. Detailing of the sculpt itself is pretty solid, and includes things like ruffles on the skirt and her Choker and Pendant. Sculpting on the hair is a bit on the rough side, and is noticeable crude compare to the Figma on my shelves and, to be honest, even the Figuarts that I have. It's pretty much Kobobukiya levels here... it's not the end of the world, but it certainly is underwhelming. Tolerances on the face plate are a bit on the "meh" side, with the head and face not meshing properly, leaving a visible gap.
Paint work is somewhat of a mixed bag. I appreciate the fact that rather than using matte paints all over, the pink paints on her outfit are all pearl infused, and the tiara is painted with a metallic gold. Her Pink Moon Rod also features some metallic and pearl based paints. Furthermore, what is nicely done is the addition of some white streaks in the hair to simulate that 2D anime shading. Decal work on the eyes is spot on and sharp. Paint masking can be on the rough side though, and the paint work on the Rod just looks sloppy. surprisingly, the paint masking for all the other fine details are, well fine. It also seems to me that her bare skin areas (thighs, arms, face) could have used a coat of flesh colour as the finish of the base plastic really stands out.
Articulation is somewhat limited, which in some ways is understandable, and others just poor design choices. I'm guessing due to the smaller body, the overall number of articulation points is lower than that of a full size Figuarts. You get ankles, knees with some rotation, hips with extension capabilities for increased range of motion, mid torso, shoulders with some collapse, elbows with rotation, limited wrist articulation, head, and limited articulation for her hair. Most notable amongst the missing points of articulation are the neck and waist. I get the neck, probably due to the small size, but I don't get the lack of a waist. As mentioned, the hip extension does technically allow for more range of motion of the legs, allowing for a proper sitting position, but her skirt gets in the way and Chibi Moon always leans backwards when she's sitting down. Special note on the wrists - they're kind of fragile, though fortunately it's more of an FYI as opposed to a precautionary tale. You see, unlike the more recent Figuarts/Figma, Chibi Moon's wrist are just simple pegs with a ball joint on the end of it. There's no additional bending joint on the wrists, hence my mentioning they are limited in motion. Press to hard, and you might snap it off, rendering the figure effectively crippled until you can get a new arm.. if you can at all. Furthermore, because the forearms and peg are one piece of plastic, you get the deal with the fun of QC. My right arm is fine, but my left arm has a ball joint which is JUST too small, and as a result any attached hands have a rather easy time of falling off, resulting in my angry, curse laden searches of the floor. The sheer bulk of the bow on her dress also limits the range of motion you can get out of her arms as well.
In conclusion, not the strongest product I've seen from the Figuarts line, but still nowhere near the low quality to price ratio that figures like the PAK line offer. Flaws and all, there is no mistaking that this is a very good representation of Sailor Chibi Moon, and I'm sure if I ever get my hands on the rest of the Sailor Scouts, those will also follow suit in being the defacto action figures for this property.. just hopefully with fewer QC issues.
Finding this merch at good prices, however, is tough, probably tougher than finding Dragon Ball stuff as everyone generally just keeps getting the upgraded form like they do with Iron Man figures. It's just that there's nothing for the Sailor Moon crowd to upgrade to.
Until next time, Sailor Moon says.... SEE YA!
I really gotta sign up for that navigation class.
Thought I would post one last shot of Sunset Sailor's planet x. I created this planet. Makes me feel like, well you know...
I don't know if you remember Gwen--but she was one of the estate sale rescue dolls from May--filthy and a redhead with bleached white legs--I finally got around to treating her.
Turns out--not a redhead. Someone had glued a large chunk of red hair to the scalp line. (probably to hide her odd haircut).
www.flickr.com/photos/smh223837/17729913403/in/dateposted...
(c) 2009 --- Images used by special permission of Michael P. Jones and Shanghai Tunnel Tours/Portland Underground Tours/Cascade Geographic Society, Inc.
Model: Justin (MM#:1167750)
Model: Monica Lao (aka Monica fabulous) (MM#:461835)
Model: Jen (aka wolfpup (MM#:513233) , wolfpup nudes (MM#:720766) )
Photographer: Palmer Digital Studio, LLC. (MM#:845531) ((ME!!))
Here is the first group shot from my Shanghai Tunnels shoot. All three models here, shooting the story of the two vampiresses luring a poor young logger into the Shanghai Tunnels, into their opium den and then making a late night snack out of him. This was the toughest room to shoot in as it was very enclosed and I had to stand outside the door, behind one of my flashes.
This picture was taken while doing a promotional shoot for the Cascade Geological Society. Credit is given to them for the location, and the ability to use the location for my own shoot while also doing a promotional shoot for them.
If there are any questions about the legality of these pictures, please MAIL me and refrain from defacing my images with your comments. Thanks.
Noid had been diagnosed with canine cystinuria 9 months ago and the flushed out several stones and he was doing fine until a few days ago when he had to be rushed back to the vets.
They found more and larger stones than the first time when they had him put out for his operation!
He had to have a scrotal urethrostomy, it's where a new opening for urination is created between the penis and scrotum.
It's an expensive and complicated procedure but he was at the point where it had to be done as it was life threatning because the stones he was forming where just huge!
He is recovering in hospital, had the surgery on Thursday May 15th and today is the day I get to bring my baby boy home.
It's going to be a while before he is fully recovered but when I went to visit him yesterday he was very happy to see me and he ate and I even got to take him out back to the vet clinics dog run to pee and walk around a bit.
He will have to wear a diaper in the house because he is still bleeding quite a bit and a silly cone for a few days until he heals but overall he is a tough little dude and made it through with flying colours!
My sister recently went on a trip to Paris and my one and only request was to bring me back some macarons. Well, they made it all the way from Paris to New York, then FedEx overnight to San Diego. But these poor little babies had a rough trip. They were bashed around so much, they were a crumbly mess when I got them. That doesn't really matter - I finally got to try some Parisian macarons and they were so good! Caramel au beurre sale (caramel with salted butter) is my favorite! Thank you sis! Muah!
"Creativity" This is a picture of a wonderful creative kid at Rangapet. I was passing through, and stopped to talk to these children. One them was trying to hide something by covering with a used fertilizer bag. I asked them what was it. They showed me a computer, made of mud.
International Development Minister Stephen O'Brien meets a mother and her baby receiving medical treatment at a health centre in Jamam, South Sudan. Jamam has become a temporary home to 36,000 people who have fled from their homes due to fighting between Sudanese and South Sudanese forces.
The British Government will provide emergency support to help 100,000 people facing severe food shortages in South Sudan.
Today Stephen O'Brien warned of a looming humanitarian crisis after visiting the volatile border with Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of people are already facing hunger due to poor rain, insecurity and an influx of returnees from Sudan.
But he stressed that lifesaving emergency British aid is not the long term answer to this avoidable disaster. He urged the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to find a lasting solution.
Stephen O’Brien said:
"What I saw at Jamam refugee camp is the very real human suffering of the ongoing problems between Sudan and South Sudan. A devastating combination of conflict and food insecurity is leading to a humanitarian disaster, which we must all do what we can to avert.
"We face a crisis on an unimaginable scale if those South Sudanese living north of the border are forced by the Government of Sudan to leave. I want to remind both governments that it is their own people who are suffering as a result of their inaction.
"Britain remains committed to helping the poorest people of this troubled region – but our aid budget is not a substitute for a lasting settlement."
During his visit he went to Jamam refugee camp, where 36,000 people are stranded after fleeing the fighting across the border in Sudan’s Blue Nile State. They are among more than 100,000 men, women and children who have been displaced by the violence between the two countries.
South Sudan is also facing a potential economic crisis after halting oil production in January in response to Sudan’s seizure of South Sudanese oil.
Stephen O'Brien called for an immediate ceasefire and for the two governments to return to negotiations to resolve their remaining differences – including oil revenues, which could provide valuable resources to fund basic services.
www.dfid.gov.uk/News/Latest-news/2012/South-Sudan-UK-warn...
Picture: UK International Development Minister Stephen O'Brien meets refugees in Jamam, South Sudan, 24 April 2012. Credit: Robert Stansfield/Department for International Development
“We are still waiting the land titles”, says Sreyna, 29, while breasfeeding her son. Most of the families who were relocated to Andong in 2006 are still awaiting
documents giving them land rights.
© UNICEF Cambodia/2013/Pericles Carvalho
2022 Feb8th Layari Basti, Karachi Solar Lanterns DistributionLyari Basti, Karachi Solar Lanterns Distribution Feb 8th, 2022
Project Title: Distribution of Solar Lanterns for Kachi Abadi Liyari ExpressWay ,Near 13-D , Gulshan e Iqbal , Karachi .
Date Completed: Feb/ 08/2022
Donor: Lodhie Foundation
Implementing Partner: Ms Samiya Khan.
Project Manager/Coordinator: Abdul Samad
Project Locations
The Lodhie Foundation initiative brings a “First Ray of Light” to the rural and poor communities and backward areas of Pakistan. Since 2003, this philanthropic initiative has continued to achieve his goal to bring the poorest people of Pakistan opportunities for socio-economic development. The program has been building momentum and successful results since its beginning. The key element is the distribution and maintenance of solar LED lighting systems through the guidance and management of Pervaiz Lodhie Founder Trustee of Lodhie Foundation located in Karachi, Pakistan
Ever since introducing a noble cause of distribution of SOLAR LANTERN ( ROSHNI ) to the needy and poor villagers and families of rural areas in Pakistan under the Donation of Ms Samiya Khan, a team Lodhie Foundation was assigned to visit the Kachi Abadi Liyari Express Way Karachi to observe and witness the distribution of Solar Lantern ROSHNI to the most needy people of Kachi Abadi Liyari Express Way ,near 13-D Gulshan e Iqbal , Karachi,
As a gesture of goodwill Ms Samiya Khan Donor of Lodhie Foundation offered a gift of 100 solar powered LED lights to the people of Kachi abadi Liyari Express Way, Karachi
Benefits
•Freedom from Darkness — The sunlight fades as early as 6 p.m, leaving the villagers in complete darkness. With solar lantern lighting, they have about an additional five hours of light to add to each day.
•Freedom from Illiteracy — More hours of light means more hours for children to study and get a better education, which is crucial to improving their social-economic future.
•Freedom from Poverty — With solar LED lanterns, the villagers no longer have to pay for expensive kerosene lanterns. Also, with more hours of light, the men and women have additional hours to work, which means more income for each household.
•Freedom from Hunger — More income means more money to better feed each member of the family; a daily concern for villagers.
•Freedom from Disease — Kerosene lanterns give off toxic and dangerous fumes; solar LED lanterns do not. LED lanterns also provide extra visibility, which helps against nighttime hazards.
I took this photograph at a small village in the north of china... it's a poor village... this is the pupils classroom... no more words...just look...
From some free episode of an anime off of Xbox LIEV. Yes, she had huge boobs to begin with, but the tweening animator made them yet bigger! So they are as big as her daughter's head! Quality animation.
He didn't even suspect his future would include x-acto blades, resin, primer and paint.
Progress shots soon!
Lovers of hills and high places will find little to set the pulse racing or delight the eye approaching the littered, disfigured, radio-masted summit of Eston Nab. It provides a wonderful view north over the industrial conglomerate of Middlesbrough, its Football hinterland and the Teesport complexes while the petrol-chemical tankers chug and hug the coast and container ships from China decant their cargoes into the insatiable maw of Tesco's giant distribution centre. its all commercially and socially essential, we need more of it in the north-east, workers are actually making things down there! But from Eston Nab it looks like The Wasteland writ large. I'm not sure if Middlesbrough has ever had a better champion than Prime Minister William Gladstone who visited the town in 1862 and said of it, with I suspect, a bit of grit in his eye:
"This remarkable place, the youngest child of England's enterprise, is an infant, but if an infant, an infant Hercules"
Gladstone was impressed by the massive growth of the iron-furnesses which transformed a village into a city, but industries grow, develop, move-on and not everything left in their wake is good. The story is told by local poet Ian Horn:
IRONOPOLIS
Where alchemists
Were born
Below Cleveland’s hills
A giant blue dragonfly
Across the Tees
Reminds us every night
We built the world,
Every metropolis
Came from
Ironopolis
"The giant blue dragonfly across the Tees" is of course Middlesbrough's iconic Transporter Bridge over the river Tees, built in 1911, Mr. Gladstone did not get to see it. Of course if you tire of gazing on the chemical factories etc, turn round and there are the moors...
Enjoying Spring
misadventuresofvivi.wixsite.com/misadventuresofvivi/post/...
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/vivileigh/
🍭BrattyLane ☂ My Next Nap! ❀
🍬P.O.S.E. ☂ daisy 2 LB & get your ears LB ❀
🍭Gumdrops & Goodies ☂ Dolphin Beach Blanket Blue ❀
Built between 1879 and 1882, this American Florentine Revival-style building was the former royal palace for the Kingdom of Hawaii, designed by Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, and Isaac Moore for King David Kalākaua. The palace was the home of the monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii between 1882 and 1893, the executive building of the provisional government and Republic of Hawaii from 1893 until 1898, the capitol building of the Territory of Hawaii from 1898 until 1959, and the capitol building of the State of Hawaii from 1959 until 1969. During its time as a territorial and state capitol, the building was altered and renovated, removing or neglecting several original features, enclosing parts of the lanais that encircle the building’s exterior, adding additional office space outside of the building’s original footprint, and replacing some of the original windows with french doors. The building replaced an earlier ‘Iolani Palace, a western-style structure with elements reminiscent of the Greek Revival style and Creole cottages in the United States, which stood on the same site, and was built in 1844-45. The earlier palace was an aliʻi, which featured no sleeping quarters, but included a dining room, throne room, and a reception room, being only about ⅓ the size of the present building. The previous building had similarities to the present structure, including a raised lanai wrapping around the entire structure, with a hipped roof, a doric colonnade, large windows, and separate homes on the grounds where the royal family lived and slept. By 1874, when King David Kalākaua ascended to power, the original palace, built of wood was in poor condition, and in 1879, the building was demolished and construction began on the present palace. Inspired by knowledge of European royal palaces and architecture, the palace features four corner towers and towers on the front and rear facades, which all feature mansard roofs topped with cornices and cresting, arched double-hung windows, quoins, decorative relief panels, circular medallions on the arched and circular roof dormers, and flagpoles atop each mansard roof. Between the towers and on the second and third floors of the front and rear towers are lanais on the first and second floors of each side of the building, with staircases to the entrances on the front and rear at the foot of the towers, corinthian columns supporting arches, decorative balustrades, iron railings on the second floor, large windows and door openings with decorative trim surrounds, decorative tile floors, decorative ceilings, a cornice above, and a decorative railing wrapping the base of the building’s large low-slope and hipped roof. Underneath the lanais and enclosed spaces of the second and third floors of the palace is the basement, which is surrounded by a light well, with access provided to exterior entrances on the sides of the building via staircases. Inside, the palace has a layout with large rooms on either side of a central hallway on the first and second floors, which are linked via a large grand staircase, with the first floor hallway known as the Grand Hall. On one side of the Grand Hall is the throne room, taking up the entirety of this part of the first floor, with a dressing room behind the thrones, while on the other side of the Grand Hall is the Blue Room, a reception hall, and the State Dining Room, with a bathroom, and butler’s pantry between the State Dining Room and the Grand Hall. On the second floor, the hallway features a ceiling with two decorative medallions on either side of a central stained glass dome, with the room where Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned for 9 months following the second of the Wilcox rebellions in 1895 sitting on the ocean-facing side of this end of the building, with a restroom and closet between this room and the Queen’s Bedroom. All bedrooms on this floor are linked via diagonal hallways to the second floor rooms in the corner towers, which are utilized as small sitting rooms. On the opposite side of the hallway is the King’s Bedroom, King’s Office, and Music Room, as well as an additional bathroom. In the basement, the building is split by two hallways that intersect at the base of the basement stairs, running between the building’s service areas, including the kitchen, as well as administrative offices for the Kingdom of Hawaii, with most of the space now mostly housing exhibits and display cases. The interior of the building features extensive detailing and decoration that was restored after the building ceased being utilized as the State Capitol in 1969, including grand carved and reproduction staircases and balusters, decorative plaster ceilings with medallions, decorative crown moulding, carved wood doors and trim, wood floors, bathrooms with built-in water closets, sinks, bathtubs, and showers, period appropriate light fixtures, as well as period and reproduction furnishings and pieces of art that were in the building during the Kingdom of Hawaii period. The palace was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Following the completion of the Hawaii State capitol in 1969, a 9-year restoration program was carried out on the palace, with the palace opening in 1978 as a museum, run by the nonprofit organization Friends of ʻIolani Palace, that preserves the structure and tells the story of the Hawaiian Royal family who once resided and ruled from the palace, as well as allowing for visitors to admire the beautiful restored and preserved details of the interior and exterior of the building. On January 17, 1993, a vigil was held on the grounds of the palace, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii by a group consisting of primarily white American businessmen, deposing the monarchy that had ruled the kingdom from 1795 until 1893. The grounds of the palace features restored landscaping intended to show what the palace looked like at the time of its completion, and the relocated ‘Iolani Barracks that once stood on the present site of the present state capitol, which now sits to the northeast of the main palace. The building is the only former royal Palace in the United States, and sits in the middle of park-like grounds surrounded by state, federal, and local government buildings in the heart of Downtown Honolulu.
Poor people in search of money to buy food, clothing and other needs, go to the flea market on Sunday from Los Mochis to find lower prices for their economic status.
Poor problems in the society make to children work in humble jobs in search for money and then meet their needs.
Some background:
The Rolls-Royce Griffon engine was designed in answer to Royal Navy specifications for an engine capable of generating good power at low altitudes. Concepts for adapting the Spitfire to take the new engine had begun as far back as October 1939; Joseph Smith felt that "The good big 'un will eventually beat the good little 'un." and Ernest Hives of Rolls-Royce thought that the Griffon would be "a second power string for the Spitfire". The first of the Griffon-engined Spitfires flew on 27 November 1941. Although the Griffon-powered Spitfires were never produced in the large numbers of the Merlin-engined variants they were an important part of the Spitfire family, and in their later versions kept the Spitfire at the forefront of piston-engined fighter development. The first Griffon-powered Spitfires suffered from poor high- altitude performance due to having only a single stage supercharged engine. By 1943, Rolls-Royce engineers had developed a new Griffon engine, the 61 series, with a two-stage supercharger. In the end it was a slightly modified engine, the 65 series, which was used in the Mk. XIV, the first Spitfire mark with a Griffon engine to enter service. The resulting aircraft provided a substantial performance increase over the Mk IX. Although initially based on the Mk VIII airframe, common improvements made in aircraft produced later included the cut-back fuselage and tear-drop canopies, and the E-Type wing with improved armament.
The Mk. XIV differed from its direct predecessor, the Mk XII, in that the longer, two-stage supercharged Griffon 65, producing 2,050 hp (1,528 kW), was mounted 10 inches (25.4 cm) further forward. The top section of the engine bulkhead was angled forward, creating a distinctive change of angle to the upper cowling's rear edge. A new five-bladed Rotol propeller of 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) in diameter was used. The "fishtail" design of ejector exhaust stub gave way to ones of circular section. The increased cooling requirements of the Griffon engine meant that all radiators were much bigger, and the underwing housings were deeper than previous versions. The cowling fasteners were new, flush fitting "Amal" type and there were more of them. The oil tank (which had been moved from the lower cowling location of the Merlin engine variants to forward of the fuselage fuel tanks) was increased in capacity from 6 to 10 gal.
To help balance the new engine, the radio equipment was moved further back in the rear fuselage and the access hatch was moved from the left fuselage side to the right. Better VHF radio equipment allowed for the aerial mast to be removed and replaced by a "whip" aerial further aft on the fuselage spine. Because the longer nose and the increased slipstream of the big five-bladed propeller a new tail unit with a taller, broader fin and a rudder of increased area was adopted.
When the new fighter entered service with 610 Squadron in December 1943 it was a leap forward in the evolution of the Spitfire. The Mk. XIV could climb to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in just over five minutes and its top speed, which was achieved at 25,400 ft (7,700 m), was 446 mph (718 km/h). In operational service many pilots initially found that the new fighter could be difficult to handle, particularly if they were used to earlier Spitfire marks. But in spite of the difficulties, pilots appreciated the performance increases.
F Mk. XIVs had a total of 109.5 gal of fuel consisting of 84 gal in two main tanks and a 12.5 imp gal fuel tank in each leading-edge wing tank; other 30, 45, 50 or 90 gal drop tanks could be carried. The fighter's maximum range was just a little over 460 miles (740 km) on internal fuel, since the new Griffon engine consumed much more fuel per hour than the original Merlin engine of earlier variants. By late 1944, Spitfire XIVs were fitted with an extra 33 gal in a rear fuselage fuel tank, extending the fighter's range to about 850 miles (1,370 km) on internal fuel and a 90 gal drop tank. Mk. XIVs with "tear-drop" canopies had 64 gal. As a result, F and FR Mk. XIVs had a range that was increased to over 610 miles (980 km), or 960 miles (1,540 km) with a 90 gal drop tank. The armament initially consisted of two 20 mm Hispano cannon and four light 0.303” machine guns (in a standard “C” wing configuration), but later builds had the latter replaced with a pair of heavier 0.5” machine guns that had better range and weight of fire (“E” wing configuration).
The first test of the aircraft was in intercepting V1 flying bombs and the Mk. XIV was the most successful of all Spitfire marks in this role. When 150 octane fuel was introduced in mid-1944 the "boost" of the Griffon engine was able to be increased to +25 lbs (80.7"), allowing the top speed to be increased by about 30 mph (26 kn; 48 km/h) to 400 mph (350 kn; 640 km/h) at 2,000 ft (610 m).
The Mk. XIV was used by the 2nd Tactical Air Force as their main high-altitude air superiority fighter in northern Europe with six squadrons operational by December 1944.
One problem which did arise in service was localized skin wrinkling on the wings and fuselage at load attachment points; although Supermarine advised that the Mk. XIVs had not been seriously weakened, nor were they on the point of failure, the RAF issued instructions in early 1945 that all F and FR Mk. XIVs were to be refitted with clipped wings. Spitfire XIVs began to arrive in the South-East Asian Theatre in June 1945, too late to operate against the Japanese. In total, 957 Mk. XIVs were built, over 430 of which were FR Mk. XIVs.
After the war, secondhand Mk. XIVs still in good shape were exported to a number of foreign air forces; 132 went to the Royal Belgian Air Force, 70 went to the Royal Indian Air Force and 30 of the reconnaissance version went to the Royal Thai Air Force. The Royal Iraqi Air Force (RIrAF) was another operator, even though only a small one.
In late 1946, five years after the Anglo-Iraqi War had left the RIrAF shattered, the Iraqis reached an agreement with the British under which they would return their surviving Avro Ansons in exchange for the authorization to order more modern and potent fighter aircraft from the UK, namely Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Furies. The next year, three de Havilland Doves and three Bristol Freighters were ordered, too, and they arrived in early 1947 with a batch of ten refurbished ex-RAF Spitfire F Mk. XIVcs, some of them WWII survivors. All these machines received the original wing tips to better cope with the expected higher ambient temperatures in the Middle Eastern theatre of operations, reinforced aluminum skinning along the wing roots, and they were retrofitted with hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage to carry unguided missiles, bombs and drop tanks, what gave them an additional ground attack capability. The radio equipment was modernized, too, including a DF loop antenna as navigational aid. Despite these standardizations, though, the Spitfires were delivered with a mix of the different canopies.
The RIrAF was still recovering and re-structuring its assets when it joined in the war against the newly created state of Israel in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The RIrAF only played a small role in the first war against Israel, though. A few Spitfire F Mk. XIVs as well as Avro Anson training bombers operated from Transjordan airfields from where they flew several attacks against the Israelis. After a series of indiscriminate attacks on Arab capitals, flown by three Boeing B-17s that had been pressed into service by the Israeli Air Force, the governments of Transjordan and Syria demanded that the Iraqis take more offensive action and replace their Ansons with Hawker Furies. However, only six Furies were sent to Damascus to join the Spitfires in the region, and they never encountered any Israeli aircraft during their deployment.
Despite some effective attacks on ground targets by the Spitfires, limited amount of cannon ammunition, RPGs and suitable bombs heavily limited the Iraqi operations. The fighters were mostly used for armed reconnaissance, and three Spitfires were upgraded to FR Mk. XIV standard for this purpose. In 1949 a second batch of eight more Spitfire F Mk. XIVs was delivered from Britain, and in 1951 the RIrAF purchased 20 more Fury F.Mk.1s, for a total of 50 F.Mk.1s single-seaters and 2 two-seaters. They soon replaced the Spitfires in frontline units, even though the machines were still kept in service.
In the early Fifties, thanks to increased income from oil and agricultural exports, the RIrAF was thoroughly re-equipped. In 1951, 15 each of de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunks, Percival Provosts and North American T-6s were bought to replace obsolete de Havilland Tiger Moth trainers. With these new aircraft the RIrAF Flying School was expanded into the Air Force College. The training curriculum was improved, and the number of students graduating each year was increased. This allowed to form a solid basis for the RIrAF's long-term growth. Also in 1951, the RIrAF bought its first helicopters: three Westland Dragonflies. The RIrAF's first jet fighter was the de Havilland Vampire: 12 FB.Mk.52 fighters and 10 T.Mk.55 trainers were delivered from 1953 to 1955, and they fully replaced the Spitfires. The Vampires were quickly supplemented by 20 de Havilland Venoms, delivered between 1954 and 1956.
Following the formation of the Baghdad Pact, the United States donated at least six Stinson L-5 Sentinels and seven Cessna O-1 Bird Dogs to the RIrAF. The RAF also vacated Shaibah Air Base, and the RIrAF took over it as Wahda Air Base. In 1957, six Hawker Hunter F.Mk.6s were delivered. The next year, the United States agreed to provide 36 F-86F Sabres free of charge.
However, following the 14 July Revolution of 1958, which resulted in the end of monarchy in Iraq, the influence of the Iraqi Communist Party grew significantly. The first commander of the Iraqi Air Force (the "Royal" prefix was dropped after the revolution), Jalal Jaffar al-Awqati, was an outspoken communist, and encouraged prime minister Abd al-Karim Qasim to improve relations between Iraq and the USSR. The Soviets reacted quickly, and in the autumn of 1958 a series of arms contracts was passed between Iraq and the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. These stipulated the delivery of MiG-15UTI trainers, MiG-17F fighters, Ilyushin Il-28 bombers, and Antonov An-2 and An-12 transports. The first aircraft arrived in Iraq in January 1959; during the late Sixties and the early Seventies additional MiG-17s may have been purchased and then forwarded to either Syria or Egypt.
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) with full span elliptical tips
Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Wing area: 242.1 sq ft (22.49 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 2213 (root), NACA 2209.4 (tip)
Empty weight: 6,578 lb (2,984 kg)
Gross weight: 7,923 lb (3,594 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 8,400[53] lb (3,810 kg)
Powerplant:
1× Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 supercharged V12, 2,050 hp (1,530 kW) at 8,000 ft (2,438 m),
driving a 5-bladed Jablo-Rotol propeller
Performance:
Maximum speed: 441 mph (710 km/h, 383 kn) in FS supercharger gear at 29,500 ft.
391 mph in MS supercharger gear at 5,500 ft.
Combat range: 460 mi (740 km, 400 nmi)
Ferry range: 1,090 mi (1,760 km, 950 nmi)
Service ceiling: 43,500 ft (13,300 m)
Rate of climb: 5,040 ft/min (25.6 m/s) in MS supercharger gear at 2,100 ft.
3,550 ft/min in FS supercharger gear at 22,100 ft.
Time to altitude: 7 mins to 22,000 ft (at max weight)
Wing loading: 32.72 lb/sq ft (159.8 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.24
Armament:
2× 20 mm (0.787-in) Hispano Mk II cannon, 120 rpg
4× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 350 rpg,
Underwing hard points for 8× 60 lb (27 kg) rockets, 2 x 250 lb (113 kg) bombs or slipper tanks,
1× ventral hardpoint for a 500 lb (227 kg) bomb or a drop tank
The kit and its assembly:
This was a rather spontaneous interim build. The Academy Spitfire was left over from a D-Day combo that contained a Hawker Typhoon, too, and I lacked an idea for the Spitfire for a long time) since I am not a big fan of the aircraft, at least what-if-inspiration-wise). However, when pondering about a potential operator from the very early pos-war period I remembered the Royal Iraqi Air Force and its later Hawker Hunters which retained their NATO-style camouflage (RAF green/grey) despite being primarily operated in a desert environment. This, on a Spitfire…?
From this idea the Academy Spitfire was built almost OOB. Because the kit offers them as an option and for the cool look, I gave the Spitfire four RPGs under each outer wing. The ventral drop tank was taken from a Special Hobby late Spitfire kit. The only other additions are the antenna mast and the non-standard DF loop antenna behind the cockpit, created from thin wire and mounted on a small, streamlined socket.
Painting and markings:
The upper surfaces were painted in standard RAF WWII colors, Dark Green and Ocean Grey, using a mix of Humbrol 163 and 30 for a slightly more bluish WWII-style green and a mix of 106 and 145 for a lightened grey tone, respectively. As an individual contrast and paint scheme variation the undersides and the spinner were painted in RAF Azure Blue (Humbrol 157, lightened up with 47), more appropriate than the standard WWII Medium Sea Grey from the European theatre of operations. The cockpit interior became RAF cockpit green (Humbro,78) while the inside surfaces of the landing gear were painted in Medium Sea Grey (Humbrol 165), reflecting the original undersides’ tone in former RAF service.
Other markings were minimal. The Iraqi triangles were taken from a Balkan Models Su-25 sheet, because their green was rather pale, for more contrast to the surrounding camouflage. RIrAF fin flash was taken from a PM Model Hawker Fury two-seater (a.k.a. “Bagdad Fury”). The tactical code came from an Airfix Hawker Hunter (from an optional Kuwaiti machine). This looked O.K. but somewhat bleak, so I added more markings. I could not find any evidence for special ID markings on Iraqi aircraft during the Arab-Israel war, but to add an eye-catcher I gave the aircraft white ID bands on the wings and on the fuselage – inspired by markings carried by Egyptian aircraft (e. g. Spitfires) during the conflict, but somewhat simplified, without black trim. They were created from generic white decal sheet material.
After some soot stains around the gun ports and the exhausts, the model was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.
A relatively simple project and just a fictional livery - but the Iraqi Spitfire looks pretty cool, especially the ID stripes add a special touch. The European RAF scheme looks a bit off on an aircraft that would be delivered to the Middel East, but the Iraqi Air Force operated British types like the Hunter in this guise, and later Su-22 fighter bombers carried a similarly murky camouflage in very dark green and earth brown.
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