Aviaeology RCAF Mosquitoes 1:24

[Mike]

RCAF Mosquitoes
1:24 Aviaeology

It's a while since Airfix gave us the first of their new "super kits" in the shape of the delightful Mosquito, but as they are in the process of re-releasing the kit with some new decals, Aviaeology have re-released this set with some additions and changes to reflect new information. It arrives in a flat ziploc bag with copious instructions to the front, and five sheets of decals of various sizes in the rear. The instructions are printed in grey-scale and are double-sided on A4 paper, with photos and scrap diagrams interspersed between the text. From the bag you can depict one of the following airframes:

• FB.VI (Series I) HJ719 as aircraft TH@U "Moonbeam McSwine" of 418 squadron RCAF, RAF ADGB Holmset South, early-mid 1944. Dark green over medium sea grey upper camo, over smooth night (black) undersides. Stylised lady hunter with pipe on a yellow backdrop nose art.
• FB.VI HR147 TH@Z "Hairless Joe" of 418 squadron RCAF RAF ADGB Hunsdon, late 1944. Old man nose art with three choices of colouring. Dark green upper camo over medium sea grey. Later seen with no nose art, fuselage bands on underside, Canadian motif on crew hatch and three options for the rudder colour.
• FB.VI NS850 as aircraft TH@M "Black Rufe" of 418 squadron RCAF RAF ADGB Holmsey South, mid 1944. Dark green upper camo over medium sea grey. Hunter with a gun and swastika kill-marks nose art.
• FB.VI SZ976 as aircraft TH@V of 418 squadron RCAF RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF) B.71 (Coxyde, Belgium) spring 1945. Dark green upper camo over medium sea grey. Optional Amigo Panchito nose art.

There are four decal options included on the sheet(s), and each one is given either a full A4 (landscape) page or half of one that gives the modeller profile views of the fuselage, plus the necessary scrap diagrams of the nose that is invisible from the side on a complete profile. There are also markings options within the sections, which caters for differences seen on the airframes, or alternative interpretations of old photos. Additionally, there is a page and a half devoted to general Mosquito modelling notes on colour, placement or presence of stencils and so forth, all of which can be used to add accuracy to your depiction. Finally, a half page is devoted to the bomb loads carried by the Mossie, their correct colours and markings.

As already mentioned, the decals have been spread over five sheets to ease the colour choices and reduce printing costs to an acceptable level, with a total area of around A4 size. The printing is anonymous, but up to the high standards expected from modern decals, with good registration, colour density and sharpness. The lighter coloured artwork is provided with a white backdrop decal to ensure no colours show through the "weaker" colours such as yellow and white. Colours look just right, and each decal is covered with a very thin and closely cropped carrier film, which will be welcomed when layering some of the nose artwork to keep the thickness down.

Conclusion
Good quality decals, highly detailed instructions that show you options where definitive answers aren't available, and background information to the airframes demonstrated Aviaeology's dedication to their work. Furthermore, if you buy direct or email them after your purchase, you can obtain a free colour PDF of the decal instructions that will be most useful.

Highly recommended to anyone wanting to go "off-piste" with the decals for their big Mossie.

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Review sample courtesy of

[Mike]

Oh yes - silly me! I had read somewhere that you'd been having website problems, but I didn't put two-and-two together when I was writing the review Keep up the good work Terry. Now how about some in 1:32 for the HK and Tamiya Mossie builders?