Jazzy Jase

Unfortunately I cannot provide photographic evidence of the aircraft ever not receiving invasion stripes. In fact I cannot find much photographic evidence other than nose shots of the aircraft at all. The aircraft was definately with 418 squadron over that period. The movement card is here. 418 sqn definately supported the D-Day raids. Evidenced below: forceaerienne.forces.gc.ca "418 Squadron has the distinction of being the first Allied squadron to support the D-Day landings in that they attacked the beach area at about 2330 hours on 5 June, 1944; almost 90 minutes before the Airborne forces." rcaf.com W/C Russell Bannock DSO, DFC and Bar: "Typical of one of these "Flower" operations was my own experience on 10 June 1944, just immediately after D-Day. The bombers were attacking railway yards just south of Pads, and I was assigned a known Luftwaffe night-fighter airfield called Bourges Avord" 418squadron.ca "From Holmsley South, the unit also supported the D-Day landings in an intruder role, performing more of the standard 'flower' operations." The book "Juno Beach" also mentions 418 sqns participation. Robert Kipp was the pilot of NS850 and is credited with a kill during the timeframe for the D-Day group build: 14 June 1944 - one He.111 - destroyed. The profile of the aircraft in Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units of World War 2 shows the aircraft in June 1944 without invasion stripes. The decals I have are the new Aviaology RCAF Mossie set reviewed here. They seem very well researched with a lot of documentation. No mention is made of stripes for NS850, but they are pictured on another of the units aircraft; HR147, TH-Z, flown by Russell Bannock. This aircraft did receive the stripes and although it is not my preference I will build this aircraft if NS850 is judged unsuitable for the group build due to the lack of stripes (and evidence!). I'm not sure I want to make the final decision. I am certain the aircraft flew during the time period and I am pretty sure it didn't receive the stripes, though I cannot prove either.

Hi, Just wanted to check with you that it is OK to build my Mossie as an aircraft that flew during the D-Day period, but never carried invasion stripes. The aircraft in question is NS850 TH-M of 418 sqn. I've been doing a lot of research on this one. There's a thread on here and another on Mossie.org. I have the aircraft movement card for the aircraft so I know it was with 418 sqn from February 1944. It crashed November 1944. All references I can find of the aircraft show no invasion stripes. Please let me know. Thanks, Jason

Right, with the arrival of my new camera this morning I have taken a couple of pics of the interior: The images are really zoomed in, so it looks a little rough around the edges but it looks fine to the naked eye. Thanks to Red Dragon for sending me some decals I think the Typhoon I'm now going to build is MN317 ZY-B "China British" of 247 Squadron. The aircraft has fuselage and wing invasion stripes, 3 bladed prop and I'm pretty sure the smaller tailplanes.

What paints do you use on your tanks? Might be best to stick with the same brand you are used to using? Also, if, for instance, you have been using Tamiya paints you might find that you have some of the colours already or at least some of the colours to mix up into the correct colours.

Thanks guys, Looks like one to pick up if I see it discounted. Cheers Jason

Does anyone know anythiong about the newly released 1/72 Reggianne RE.2000 from Italeri? Kit number 1272. Is it a new tooling and any good?

That is lovely. Well done! One thing I've never understood with the FW190, was the aerial cable stretchy? On most models I see the aerial cable is always taught, despite the canopy being open.

They will deliver it. I recently received 2 x 250ml bottles of X20a and 2 x 250ml bottles of Tamiya lacquer thinner from them in the same box.

If you have to have the Tamiya stuff then I can recommend Luckymodel.com http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=TA%2087077

Ha. That's how my last attempt at a biplane went.

The link is incorrect. There is a bracket at the end that needs to be removed. Try this: http://www.hawkertempest.se/Cockpit.htm

Never been to Newark, so can't comment on that but I have to admit to being disappointed with Duxford. Probably didn't help that it was an airshow day (Flying Legends) so it was really busy and a lot of the aircraft were outside. I really enjoyed my visit to Hendon though. I hadn't appreciated how large it is and we were unexpectedly there all day. Planning a trip up to Cosford soon so I will report back on that one.

Thanks for the pictures. Will be useful reference material.

Hi Tim, I have the new RCAF Mosquito decals from Aviaology. These are the most well-documented decals I have ever seen and contain a lot of the history of each aircraft. The set includes decals for HJ719 (TH-U), HR147 (TH-Z) and NS850 (TH-M). NS850, TH-M was used over the D-Day period but did not ever receive invasion stripes. Despite the lack of stripes, I would like to build this as part of the D-Day group build and I will seek the GB hosts permission. Failing that, HR147 (TH-Z) did receive the stripes and I will build that if NS850 is disallowed. Jason

Movement Cards as promised:

I finally got a response from the RAF museum at Hendon. A letter arrived in the post this morning. It said: "RE: SQUADRON CODE ENQUIRY Thank you for your enquiry received on 19th February 2009. Please find enclosed copies of the Movement Cards for HR241 and NS850. As you can see, HR241 was never with 218 [*I Think that is a typo for 418*] squadron, rather 1692 Flight and 169 Squadron. 169 Squadron did use radar on their Mosquitos. The codes for theses units are 4X and VI, respectively. It would be difficult to find out what the individual letter for the aircraft was. The best source would probably be the Squadron Operations Record Books at the National Archives, Kew. I think you are right that TH-M is the wrong code for HR241. It is not unusual for several aircraft within the same unit to have the same code as they were reused when aircraft were destroyed. However, HR241 was not in the same unit as NS850. TH-M is the correct code for 418 Squadron. I hope this information is of use and thank you for your interest in the Museum and its collections." The movement cards included are photocopies and rather hard to read. I will scan them and post them here once I get to a scanner. NS850's Movement Card says: MOSQUITO VI NS850 De Havilland Hatfield 555 Merlin 25 418 Sq 19.2.44. Cat E (date illegible) There's loads of stuff for HR241. It's hard to make out but I think it says: (I've x out the bits I can't make out.) (Aircaft type blank) VI HR241 STANDARD MOTOR CO 1680 Merlin 25 27MU 3.6.44 218 MU 8.7.44 1692 169 sqn 18.9.44 B200 1692 flt 31.12.44 B515 M I Marshalls 24.1.45 HOME CENSUS MARCH xxxx xxxxx 24.5.46 CRO 21.6.46 mu - 10 xxx 1623/6/ 21.6.46 (I can't make out the next line) I think there is enough proof there to say that HR241 did not serve on 418 squadron, so I don't think I need to make a trip to Kew. Any comments ?

That's very kind. PM sent.

See thread here! It seems that the Squadron codes are the wrong colour and the Serial number is not correct for the squadron.

A quick update and all is not well. After a monumental cockup whilst painting the interior I decided to strip the paint and start again. Having seen Fairy Power Spray recommended here I bought a bottle and dunked the kit in it for 24 hours. It didn't strip the Vallejo Model Air at all well, but it did strip all the superglue and Gator glue that I had used to stick down the PE and lead wiring. Scrubbing with a toothbrush caused the front of the cockpit sides to snap off and the whole lot went in the bin. Luckily I have another 2 spare in the stash! Work will recommence next week after I finish the kit I'm building as a gift to someone.

Just thought I would give a quick update on this one. It's pretty much on hold whilst I finish a model I'm building as a gift for someone. I have finished the cockpit however and I'm ready to glue the fuselage halves together. I will take a couple of photos ASAP. Also, I'm still trying to figure out which aircraft to make as the Xtradecals I have are not correct.

That's looking lovely Ant. Can't see anything wrong with the radios either. Once the canopy is on you won't see much anyway. I must admit to being jealous of you 1/48 scale builders. There's so much more detail than 1/72. I've been trying the Spanish style on my D-Day Mossie and it is really hard. Especially in the smaller scale (I just don't have the space for 1/48). Anyway, after a monumental cock-up it took a short flight to the bin and another has been purchased.

I have to agree with Rob, whilst I too dislike what the Swastika stood/stands for it is still part of history and blocking it out is wrong imo.

Someone has just paid £36 plus P&P on ebay for two 250ml bottles of Tamiya X20A.

I've just seen a post over on Promodeller that says the Tamiya thinners have been discontinued: mjl1132 - "I emailed The Hobby Company, the Tamiya registered UK importer, and asked them the position with regards to the metallic paints we have not seen in the UK for some time as well as the X-20A thinners. This was the brief reply I got: "Some of the range of TS paints are coming back in about June this year. The thinners have been discontinued."" I find it a little hard to believe that Tamiya would completely discontinue their range of thinners, but it could explain the lack of availiability.

That sounds perfect. If you PM me your email address I shall Paypal you.