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1/48 Revell Mosquito B.IV updates


chrisrope

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Hi

I have one of these and was wondering what, if any, updates are available for the two main problems with the kit, the prop spinners and the wheels.

Are there any resin upgrades for this or any other 1/48 Mossie kits to help with these or can parts from an Airfix or Tamiya kits be used

I won't be building it right away but I'd like to try sourcing the parts before I do :)

Any advice much appreciated

Cheers

Chris

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Hi

I have one of these and was wondering what, if any, updates are available for the two main problems with the kit, the prop spinners and the wheels.

Are there any resin upgrades for this or any other 1/48 Mossie kits to help with these or can parts from an Airfix or Tamiya kits be used

I won't be building it right away but I'd like to try sourcing the parts before I do :)

Any advice much appreciated

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris

The Revell kit has wheels that are too big in diameter, and too thin, which makes the gear legs too short

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234947246-revell-ag-mosquito-landing-gear-question/

NO 1/48th kit Mossie tyres are accurate

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234944213-mosquito-tyres-in-148th-are-any-accurate/

Ultracast do them now though

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234948859-mosquito-wheels-5-types-148/

this might be worth a look

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/60197-148-mosquito-which-is-worth-getting/

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234927399-revell-kits-being-discontinued/

But what I was most surprised about was that the Revell wings are much smaller in chord, which is especially noticeable at the base, near the fuselage. From the rear spar to the front of the radiator, the Revell wing is almost 3 mm more narrow than the Tamiya or Airfix wing, which I believe is what it makes a Revell kit look really odd when you put it next to a Tamiya or Airfix model. I think Tamiya (or Airfix for the FBVI) is by far the better option.

In fact, the leading edge of the radiators are a bit short, the rest of the wing is fine. The rads can be fixed quiteeasily I think, if you need more info ask, but it might take a while!

Spinners, well, as the some conversion require use of 4 blade props, the 3 bladers may well be in spares boxes, or ask Airfix spares, as they have just reboxed their 1/48th kits.

You could ask about landing gear and wheels as well, as the Airfix are closer in tread pattern than Tamiya if you don't wish to spring for Ultracast ones.

HTH

T

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Thanks Jason and Troy

I'll have a look around for some Ultracast wheels, I'm not going to be making it for a while so can looks for some reasonably priced ones.

I may just ask Airfix for some spinners and see if they will fit over the props and onto the backplate of the Revell kit. All depends on how much they'll charge for them, too much and I'll live with the kit ones to be honest

Cheers

Chris

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Hi Chris,

Back when this kit came out I did some comparisons as many Mossie fans did. One thing to note about the wheels is that the landing gear are too short, if memory servies around 4mm. We cannot replace the wheels without extending the gear. There were at least a couple of build articles done on-line which featured ways to make this kit's main gear longer. You should be able to search for them. As for the spinners, I am not sure if any other kit's spinners will fit or not, but I know I have some ancient Monogram spinners in my part stash. I would suggest you measure the diameter of the Revell of Germany kit's spinners and make a request for someone's spares to match and see what people come up with; I'd bet there are a lot of Mossie spinners lying in stashes which will come to light.

HTH, Jim

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I used the spinners from an old Monogram kit and with a little modification (sanding the inside edge of the base) they fit fine. If you don't care a lot about the detail of the wheel bays the extension (although not perfect) can be made easily too. There is always the SAC metal landing gear but you are looking at 20.00 minimum. It all comes down to how much the inaccuracies bother you. I am still waiting for the perfect kit, so far it ain't looking good!

Cheers

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So, a 4mm U/C extension, some resin wheels and some Airfix, Monogram or Tamiya spinners and I'm good to go..

Sure I can rustle that little lot up :)

I got the kit for a bargain £10 so I don't mind sourcing a couple of extra bits for it :)

Or maybe just pick up an Airfix Mossie for the parts. Off to ebay methinks

Chris

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Its not too difficult to reshape the spinners with a bit of sanding and a rotary drill at low speed...

I solved the undercarriage problem by building it flying!

DSCF7564.JPG

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Saw one of these flying and on display at the Geneseo, New York, Warbirds Air Show last week. Painted in the b rown and green camo. I was impressed by how big it was, and how smooth those dual engines sounded ! Also, the panel joint lines are so fine they'd are almost invisible- that was one slick finish ! i heard this Mosquito is one of only two flying anywhere in the world-- that seem correct ?? Inspired to build a 1/72 version- I gather Tamiya may be the best choice in this scale- that seem agreed??

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There aren't that much panels joint lines (except on the nacelles) as the plywood surface was cloth covered and cloth joints in turn covered with cloth strips, at least on the FB VI (see, I've started reading my new Mossie book !).

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  • 4 weeks later...

I actually had this up for sale on here then Ebay. I had no takers, lucky really as Airfix emailed me back and I have just purchased a full set of undercarriage, wheels and propeller parts. Not cheap but cheaper than a full kit just for a few parts.

:D

Chris

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