Manipled Mutineer Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 One of my friends has asked me to build a Mosquito for her ex-RAF Grandfather for his 90th birthday later this year. He was with 618 Squadron when it was in Australia working up to attack the Japanese Fleet and has recollections of the PR XVI photo-reconnaissance Mosquitos which operated with it. 618 was a sister squadron to the more famous 617 Squadron and like it, was armed with a Barnes Wallis weapon, in this case a spherical-cased smaller version of the bouncing bomb, codenamed "Highball". Originally formed to attack the Tirpitz, once that target was substantially put out of action the proposal was made to deploy the weapon against Japanese capital ships but VJ-day found the squadron still working-up in Australia and it was disbanded fairly shortly after the war's end. With the kind help of forum members Black Knight, RossM and FZ6, I have been able to pull together the parts to build one of these, and here begins the work in progress thread with a photograph of the component parts, principally from the old Matchbox Mosquito kit, which has the correct 2-stage Merlins: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'm getting out the pop corn! First it's principally a Matchbox kit and that's what I grew up with spending my pocket money in the mid 70's Second it's an Aussie version and that's always a treat when you live down under. Good luck with the build....what a great tribute. I really look forward to the progress 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) I started with the cockpit, with the very basic addition of an Airfix instrument panel, slightly modified, plus instrument Decals from a variety of sources to give an impression of the front end of the Mosquito's busy "office": PS, thanks Winenut, hope you enjoy, this one will take a while to come to fruition, I think! Edited February 5, 2016 by Manipled Mutineer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 My next step was to try and add a little more detail, bearing in mind that the basic layout is a flat floor, two rather inaccurate seats, and a bomber yoke for the pilot! First I tried to add a little more detail to the front end with a bulkhead, kneeling mat and fire extinguisher, which latter also added a welcome hint of colour. Then I put in some rear decking, radio boxes, etc, all highly simplified but I hoped suggestive of the real thing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Great! a Matchbox build. I'm in! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 (edited) Welcome aboard, Martin! After checking my sources I decided to add a bit more detail to the seats and other bits, including straps cut from tinfoil (don't ask me why I thought that was a good idea) as my "client" requested the cockpit without figures. Edited February 6, 2016 by Manipled Mutineer 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 :popcorn: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted May 29, 2016 Author Share Posted May 29, 2016 Well, I finally got some - a little - inspiration back, so here are the engine nacelles, 4-blade props and undercarriage, being a bit of a lash-up of Matchbox, Airfix and ??? bits: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 I'm starting to put it all together now that I have got past the mating of the Matchbox nacelles and better-detailed Airfix undercarriage, which I really wasn't looking forward to, and decided on the handling of the camera ports (decal film or similar rather than trying to drill). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 I am liking the use of Airfix parts to tart up the original kit. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomoshenko Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Glad to see it's back on track, and as noted above, you're breathing life into a matchbox kit and that can only be a good thing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 Thanks Martin and Tomoshenko, I do like the Matchbox kit but the Airfix parts certainly seem to me to be a notch ahead in terms of detail, so it seemed a shame not to use them (or indeed to take advantage of this long weekend.) Provided I can do it justice, I think it's going to be an attractive-looking aircraft when finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 It's moved on a little... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 (edited) Finally some progress (& a question) I've finally put on a second coat of paint, redone the props (thank heavens for a spare set), extracted, trimmed painted and affixed the vacform canopy and fettled the Airfix exhausts until they fitted. I'm now thinking about decals and am hoping for some advice on sizing and placement of roundels, flashes, codes and serials. I've heard that the roundels and flash were standard RAF ones with the red painted out, but any further detail would be warmly appreciated. Edited July 10, 2016 by Manipled Mutineer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Really cool build! And very nice work so far! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 Thanks Rob, glad you approve: will be relieved when it is in the hands of the giver! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 One further question: any hints as to location of camera ports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted July 14, 2016 Author Share Posted July 14, 2016 As per commission, correct serials on one side, some dates relevant to the gentleman in question on the other. I hate applying serials... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 Good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 One further question: any hints as to location of camera ports? AFAIR there were two camera windows underneath, both in the forward half of the bomb bay. On the port side towards the rear of the front half, on the starboard side it was forward. O)ther cameras were in the glazed nose. Wing roundels; measure the length of the wing from the root to the tip. 2/3rds of this from the wing root is where the centre of the roundel will be. Looks like roundels about 42 inch diameter used on the top of the wings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 Well, in view of my imminent departure and return only the day before the 90th birthday of the gentleman in question, although it is by no means perfect I have decided to call it a day on this build, with sincere thanks to Black Knight, RossM and FZ6 for their generosity, and to all on this thread for your interest and encouragement. Anthony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Came in at the beginning and watched to the end! Nice version of an iconic aircraft Cheers Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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