Airfix 1/72 Mosquito B.XVI A04023 Build

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

I have been working on a Hasegawa Skyraider, but when this came in the post from Hornby, that had to go on the shelf for now.

There has been a lot on different forums about the errors in this kit, the main one being that of the bomb bay. However, all the other minor errors are either imagined or so small as to not bother me anyway (for example it has been said the fin is the wrong shape, the props have the wrong profile etc etc. If these are correct or not I don't know or care!).

The problem with the bomb bay comes from scanning an aircraft that used to be a target tug, as such it has added raised fairings on the doors and the rear fairing is indented. I intend to sand the doors smooth, and at the moment use the rear fairing as is.

Now the moan is over, lets get to the rest of the kit. What panel lines there are are finely done, the cockpit and bomb bay look extremely detailed, and there are some clever and well thought out touches, such as the exhaust assembly, painting blacks for the wheel wells and the use of the wing as a jig for the undercarriage so it can be fitted after painting.

The instructions are very colourful with purple and yellow added this time;

The decals are to the usual standard from Cartograf.

[dogsbody]

From photos I've seen of one being built, the raised wing spars of the later marks is way overdone on this kit.

Chris

[peebeep]

From photos I've seen of one being built, the raised wing spars of the later marks is way overdone on this kit.

 

 

[T2B]

Ignore all the moaning PMM, I'm just looking forward to seeing you build the kit.

As you say, so called minor errors I'm not bothered about either! Counting rivets, I'm definitely not interested in!

It looks very much like a Mosquito to me, a new tooled detailed one at that and I'm happy. It's bomber version that Airfix have never done before, probably with other similar Stage 2 Merlin kits like the PR.XVI to follow so what more could I ask for? Well I won't take over your thread by waffling on, I'll just sit back and enjoy the build!

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

Following are some shots of the sprues. Sprue E and F are the engine components and are mirror images of each other. There is no sprue D, and all the parts for the bulged bomb bay are on one sprue. There are also several parts not for use, including a complete canopy with blisters, so another version is definitely on the cards.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

Construction starts with the cockpit. There is good detail throughout, with multiple parts. This section is split over several construction stages. The pilot's seat is made of four detailed parts, but only a tiny pilot is included (compare him to the control wheel), with no navigator to keep him company! All went together easily, using the fuselage half as a jig for bulkheads.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

In these images the cockpit is completed and ready to go into the fuselage and be closed up. Most areas are cockpit grey green by Humbrol (78), with details in dark green, black and dark grey, dry brushed in light grey. In the first image the tail plane can also be seen, this has a clever locking tab that connects inside the fuselage to ensure correct alinement.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

Final cockpit photo, and first image of the fuselage joined up. Again no issues here, all went together with no gaps or steps. The interlocking tail planes have also been fitted, as has the rudder, set at a slight angle for interest. no filler needed so far.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

In this view of the underside on the fuselage you can see where filler has been added to the sides of the aft bomb bay fairing to correct the shape to the bomber version from the target tug variant. this is the first application before sanding. You can also see a smidge of filler by the crew entry door. You can also see the brick red fuel tanks added to the bomb bay roof.

The final image for now shows the wings being used as a jig to construct the undercarriage legs, including oil tank.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

All seams on the fuselage have been sanded down, only took about 20 minutes, no issues. The aft bomb bay fairing has been reprofiled with filler, and is ready for a first coat of primer to check for imperfections, then refilling if needed. it's an annoying mistake, but easily and quickly fixed.

[T2B]

Looks very good PMM. And I see what you mean about the pilot, he looks like the standard CAD lift from across the range but dwarfed by the huge control stick!

And least I have an idea now of the profile needed to the rear of the bomb bay!

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

I've been working on the wings. The port one is completed, including the nacelle, and attached to the fuselage, while the starboard one is about half way there.

Note that the wingtips are clear plastic, this is so the navigation light is clear. I managed to put the starboard tip on the port wing, but noticed my mistake and was able to rectify it. My fault entirely as the tips are marked 'P' and 'S' on their tabs!

The two part exhaust stubs and their housing is a great feature, and they look very realistic when done. Another good point is the arrows on the exhaust housing and radiator fronts, to make sure you get it right.

I had no problems with the fit, and there are minimal seams to clean up. As an example the port wing has a landing light blank to use. This went on leaving hardly any gap or seam, and was invisible in a few moments clean up (a clear cover is also included for other versions).

There are two sets of carburettor intakes included, one plain and the other with vents on the sides, the plain ones are used for this kit, but it again points to another version coming out. Finally the wings fit to the fuselage is near perfect, with not gaps to worry about, and the spars keeping everything true.

[Pete-1210491]

It would be nice probably on the 1:35 to have clear sides like the canopy .as this kit has lots to see . Once you go to the expense of PE or printed parts . It would make a nice addition to have clear side panels/ wings though I am not keen on clear wing tips for nav lights ..I make my own bulb covers but I am unable to with this style ...a case of drill the full length to mimic bulbs .

But ov

[Kenneth ONeill]

My ideal preference is to have larger clear parts (like wing tips) where the nav lights and acbs have tinted lens/covers, and smaller ones where you have tinted bulbs under clear covers.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

In the next image you can see how the two part exhausts go together, what they look like as a unit in there housing, and also how they look (unpainted) mounted in the engine cowling.

Then we have the bomb bay doors, one has been corrected by sanding all the target tug detailing off, the other is as supplied. The modification to the parts literally did not take 5 minutes. Also you can see the main tyres. These have great block tread detail (though not as good as a resin replacement, then again you're not paying for resin!) and a small hole in the centre for mounting on a cocktail stick for painting. Yes, really, that is why the hole is there!

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

All major airframe parts together, and seams sorted out. No issues with construction, all went easily together, and hardly any filler needed anywhere. It will be painted using Vallejo colours in the day scheme. The bomb racks are also in the bomb bay. Bombs have been painted but not installed yet, and the undercarriage masks will be used, as well as the closed bomb bay doors as a mask.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

Quick update on the Mosquito.

Basic painting has been completed, including replacement panels, using brush painted Vallejo paints. All the sub assemblies have also been finished and await fitting after decaling and final weathering and matt coat. Not the modified bomb bay doors with all detail removed.

Note of warning, it would have been far easier to paint up the exhausts and their housings' before fitting into the engine cowlings!

[Hurricane Boy]

Looking good PMM. Nice hand brushed work!

Thanks for sharing your build and the heads up on the exhaust stacks.

Tim

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

Looking good PMM. Nice hand brushed work!

Thanks for sharing your build and the heads up on the exhaust stacks.

Tim

 

 

 

 

Cheers Tim,

 

 

One area where I am disappointed with the kit is the absence of a 4,000lb 'Cookie' bomb, especially as that's why it had a bulged bomb bay! I have a couple of 4,000 pounders in the spares box, but there are no shackles for them. I intend to display it with a bomb trolley in front with the bomb on. The detail on the doors and rear fairing for a post war target tug aircraft was annoying but really easy to correct. Maybe a future boxing will be for the target tug, that would be an interesting scheme, I'd build that.

[T2B]

Looking good PMM.

And yes I had thought about using the 4000lb Cookie and bomb trolley from the RAF Re-Supply Set and borrowing some bomb shackles from a Lanc kit?

[Kenneth ONeill]

Good thought; it's not like the cookie shackles or dolly fit anything else but cookies after all.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

Quick update.

after a couple of coats of gloss, the decals went on. As usual with Cartograph these went on with no issues (apart from the code letter 'K' sitting straight over the cable duct on the starboard side).

Now just a matt coat, weathering, and adding the last few bits and bobs to finish.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

And the underside

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

All now completed.

The main undercarriage was a little fiddly to get in place, but no real worries. The main canopy needed fettling to sit down right, but the separate side blister panels went in perfectly and cannot been seen a addons unless you look really closely.

This was a very enjoyable kit to build, and I'd give it an 8/10. It would be a 9/10 if the 4,00 pounder was included, and a 10/10 if not for those mistakes with the bomb doors and fairing.