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Mosquito Underwing Attachments - What were they ?


Sky Pilot

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The Tamiya 1/48Mosquito FB Mk.VI kit contains two pairs of components identified as D1 - D2 and D9 - D10. They are not mentioned in the instructions and when assembled produce two identical container-like objects which, it appears, would be fitted directly to the underwing towards the wingtips i.e not on pylons, rather like eternal fuel tanks.  Appropriate drilling points for locating lugs are indicated on the inner side of the lower wing panels. What were these objects.

 

I've searched the internet, unsuccessfully, for photos of Mossies with external tanks fitted. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

 

 

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Coastal Command Mossies carried tanks and double-stacked RPs:

 

 

http://www.largescaleplanes.com/reviews/images/491/05.jpg

 

I have a suspicion, though, that these might not be the same tanks as they look a little different; for completeness the link takes you to a scan from a review of Aviaeology AOD24011 Special Edition-Canadians in Coastal Command #3 (full review at http://www.largescaleplanes.com/reviews/review.php?rid=491). I have a feeling that someone in the dim and distant past, possibly in a Chaz Bowyer book, I've seen a photo of an FBVI with tanks which look more like those in the kit, but can't think where, exactly, or even if I'm imagining it...

 

And while not an FBVI, the Tse-Tse carried them also

raf_mosquito_with_molins_gun_wwii_iwm_ch

 

 

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Just to add to the discussion, I had always assumed (dangerous thing to do) that the tanks were the same colour as the underside.

However a bit more searching on the internet gives this debate:

 

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=58904

 

Thankfully the camera never lies......

Is it possible that the tanks were delivered in silver dope and painted in the relevant underside colour at squadron level?

Sky/MSG/Smooth Night would all be applicable in Europe, silver in the Far East.

 

John

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