phat trev Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Looking at combining the airfix and matchbox mosquito kits to create a B.IV. B.IX or T.III with each kit having pro's cons, differences maybe a mashup of various parts would look good? Did the T.III have a bomber glazed nose? And has anyone tried the airfix merlin pods on a matchbox and visa-versa? Also a lot of scratch building looks to be needed which looks enjoyable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 T.III had the solid fighter type nose but without guns, flat windscreen and the '5 stack' shorter engine nacelle. I'm sure the Mossie experts will pass by soon. Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atom.uk Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 I will be following this with interest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Tamiya do a very nice B.IV (I have one!) and it can be had for not much money. thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phat trev Posted October 16, 2013 Author Share Posted October 16, 2013 thanks for the T.III details. I considered a Tamiya one had parts of an airfix Mosquito to hand and wanted a two-stage merlin so went for the Matchbox one. its am impressive model for what it is (matchbox) and leaves me plenty of scope for detailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Some good shots of T.III's here: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6nbDN5fUkyMC&pg=PA201&lpg=PA201&dq=Mosquito+T.III+VA880&source=bl&ots=1bJf30aga-&sig=a0GNADATxgiqtL9YchjoVcjg_8k&hl=en&sa=X&ei=O4xlUI7eB-rO0QXtlYH4Cg&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Mosquito%20T.III%20VA880&f=false Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kunac-Tabinor Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Going on a 30 year old memory here - you can cross kit the airfix and matchbox models with little trouble. If I recall its better to swap the engine pods than the wings complete as there is less filling that way. But when i did it - it was the mid 80s so I have little to go on but recollection Jonners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denford Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 thanks for the T.III details. I considered a Tamiya one had parts of an airfix Mosquito to hand and wanted a two-stage merlin so went for the Matchbox one. its am impressive model for what it is (matchbox) and leaves me plenty of scope for detailing. The website of Blackbird Models who will be at Telford, lists 'drop-in' 2 stage Merlins for the Tamiya kit: an easier and more accurate method than trying to add the Matchbox engines that aren't very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Many years ago (About 1980), I built a Mosquito NF36 by using a Matchbox kit and replacing bits from an Airfix kit so i know it can be done. From what I remember I used the undercarriage and props from the Airfix kit, and used the radome, canopy and wings from Matchbox kit grafted on to the Airfix fuselage. It was a lot of work, but I had time in those days (No wife, family or a job that demanded working at home in the evening) Loved it when it was finished but it went to the great hanger in the skies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancasterbuild Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Like the idea of that. I was thinking of 'butchering' a Revell Lanc to make a Manchester....but then found-out you can buy one DOH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paramedic Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 This book might be interesting to you: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haviland-Mosquito-Modellers-Datafile-20/dp/1906959331/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381955572&sr=1-2&keywords=richard+a+franks+mosquito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancasterbuild Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 I've added a ton to my Hachette Lanc, like the Main distributor panel and intense additional wire/cable looming...http://www.flickr.com/photos/87402723@N03/9045041234/in/set-72157631844070083 Got any pics Martin T? Sounds interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NORTHDUK Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 I have both Airfix and Matchbox kits in the stash and would also like to do a T3 as well as a late night fighter. Years ago, possibly in the late 1980's or early 1990's, I was shown some correspondence in an issue of Scale Models on the subject of the accuracy of these two kits. There had apparently been some previous discussion about some major faults in both kits and a Scottish modeller had written to protest that they were so alike that it was possible to swap the wings over between the kits. His contention was that this showed that they must be OK as they wouldn't both make the same mistakes. The original correspondent replied that he stood by his criticisms of the kits and said that the interchangeability of the parts merely showed that both companies had misinterpeted the source material in the same way. (I'm paraphrasing this from memory so I hope I'm not misrepresenting his argument). As far as I can remember, the fault related to the relationship between the cockpit position, centre section or wing roots and the forward fuselage but the exact problems escape me now. Does anyone now remember this correspondence or have any idea what the problems might be? On the subject of the T3, has anyone any material on the cockpit layout? Gordon McLaughlin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 I built both kits side by side years ago and considered a crosskitting exercise using the Matchbox engines on the better airfix kit. IIRC, swapping the wings required some filling work but nothing major. However what made me change my mind was the fact that the Matchbox nacelles are not really good and several features of the twin stage merlin nacelles were absent. So I just built the two kits independently. Finding one of the resin 2-stage converions would lead to better results Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Hi All whilst on the subject, as the two stage mossie had heavier engines and the bomber version heavier bombloads did it have different undercarriage ? or did it just sit lower to the ground due to the new weight ? I am presuming the fighter and PR had the single stage undercarriage and just sat slightly lower cheers Jerry cheers jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Hi chaps, Coincidentally, I just built a Matchbox Mossie and, although it wasn't exactly a cross-kit, I did use a number of Airfix components in the build, including undercarriage legs, prop / spinners, IP and so on, to come up with a Mossie PR Mk XVI. A cross-kit using Airfix nacelles and Matchbox wings would require some surgery due to different parts breakdown, but should be possible. However, I do know that the width of the Matchbox undercarriage wells is significantly greater than the Airfix ones; don't know if the cowlings themselves are different widths . . . regards, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 If anyone can track down the relevant Scale Models with that correspondence I'd be interested. It might explain the differences between wings in the Tamiya kit and all other representations. (Specifically, tip chord and radiator length.) The Tamiya kit does have a few other inaccuracies but is the nicest tooled of the available kits. I'd certainly recommend any approach other than the Matchbox kit for two-stage engines. However, to return to the original posting, I'd cut the nose off the Matchbox kit and place it on the Airfix. I'm sure it will be possible to make it fit - what else are files and filler for - and hopefully will correct the Airfix cockpit/canopy which has been said to be too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Brewerjerry! AFAIK the only change in undercarriage was for the navalised types. Of course the hubs changed independently of this but you need to consult the Mozzie experts. Trevor EDIT the XV had smaller wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phat trev Posted October 17, 2013 Author Share Posted October 17, 2013 Mike Romeo your PR.XVI looks fantastic! and Paramedic, I have followed your link to the book so I will look into getting one! thanks. going off the TIII idea as I quite like the look of the Mosquito in full camo and black undersides so a B.IX looks to be a prefered option (if I dont go for the B.IV engine swap!) looking into schemes for the bombers this evening 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Mike Romeo your PR.XVI looks fantastic! and Paramedic, I have followed your link to the book so I will look into getting one! thanks. going off the TIII idea as I quite like the look of the Mosquito in full camo and black undersides so a B.IX looks to be a prefered option (if I dont go for the B.IV engine swap!) looking into schemes for the bombers this evening 23 Sqn had FB.VI's in day camo with Night undersides. Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Mike Romeo your PR.XVI looks fantastic! and Paramedic, I have followed your link to the book so I will look into getting one! thanks. Trevor, Many thanks! I did a build thread in another place which has some detail on what was done to make the Airfix undercarriage fit. If you wish a link, send me a PM. regards, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phat trev Posted October 17, 2013 Author Share Posted October 17, 2013 PM sent mate. another alternative! fallen in love with the look of a B.35 later than I wanted to do but it looks great in gloss grey upper and black lower surfaces, decals might be a struggle and a bulged bombbay might also be as I would have to scratch one! I do not like resin (ie.paragon) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 PM sent mate. another alternative! fallen in love with the look of a B.35 later than I wanted to do but it looks great in gloss grey upper and black lower surfaces, decals might be a struggle and a bulged bombbay might also be as I would have to scratch one! I do not like resin (ie.paragon) Yes, that's a great colour scheme for a Mossie. There was a vac belly from Aeroclub years ago. It might be worth asking John if he still has one. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Mike Romeo your PR.XVI looks fantastic! and Paramedic, I have followed your link to the book so I will look into getting one! thanks. phat trev, the book is in stock at Hannants... http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SAMPUB20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Lancasterbuild Sorry for the delay in replying, I do not have any photos to hand of the Mosquito, I have some negatives from way back when i took some photos and it may be among those if I can find them. I would agree with previous comments re the undercarriage, it is one area of the build that I still remember. Freightdog did some nice two stage Merrlin Mosquitos in post war schemes. Might be worth a PM to see if he still has any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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