rafalbert Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Hi guys, I am supposed to be taking a break from GBs due to the massive backlog I have causing me to start to not enjoy the hobby. However, as I have been making quite a dent in my unfinished pile (and actually having fun in the process), I couldn't resist this one. After watching 633 Sqn in (I think) 1982, I had to immediately build a Mossie, and as luck would have it, the local paper shop had one in stock. I rushed out to buy it and had built, painted and decalled it by the end of the following day, resulting in a very happy 9 year old! I love Matchbox kits for their simplicity and my nostalgia. There are issues with this kit but I am not going to go overboard in resolving them. I have replacement wheels, a replacement canopy from a Falcon set, and may use some etched brass from the Airwaves set if I can get them to fit. I am looking forward to getting started as it has already rekindled some happy memories! Dave 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Hi Dave, This one should be really interesting to follow with the etch improvements on the old kit. Don’t you just love those matchbox instructions, side opening boxes, 3 coloured parts trees, and zero stencil data decals 🤗 yum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Fantastic choice Dave, I remember building the bomber nosed Mosquito from this kit and really enjoyed it as a kid so I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with this classic kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dean Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 It's so nice to see another one of my favourite Matchbox kits making an appearance. It is so well engineered, that after completing my bomber version build a few years ago, I put it on a stand and stuck a fan in front of it and the props spun beautifully. I'll post a picture after you've done yours (if it's OK with you). Speaking also as a collector of kits, that box is a 1st issue minter . 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klr Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Another kit (along with the Matchbox Phantom) that I first built on Christmas Day 1978! I built it a second time in the mid-1980s. An excellent kit as I recall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Nice! I remember building this one too, way back in the mid eighties. I think I must have built the bomber version as I remember using some midnight blue humbrol or something similar and the fighter nose was kept in my long gone spares box from my original modelling foray. Looking forward to seeing you build this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Great choice Dave. As I couldn’t find nor afford the Frog kit, this Matchbox Mossie was the basis for a back-dated conversion to a Mk.IV using the Airfix kits wings and engines. I remember thinking at the time that this was an expensive way to go, but making a version that was not supplied OOB was something that drove my motivation. Funnily enough would you believe it still exists to this day! Cheers and all the best.. Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) Mint box, parts still on the sprues, all complete. I would have trouble building this one, but that's the quirky collector side of me. The other side of the argument, if there is one, is that you are adding to your own history by building the kit. Linking memories like this is a good thing. The joy of it all is, no matter what you do with the kit, it will be the right choice! 😁 Edited April 29, 2020 by TonyW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Dave, The Frog kit is said to have a problem with the wing being in the wrong place. As I recall the Matchbox kit was a BIX/NF30 and as such had the "universal radar nose" option and the later Merlins with the deeper chin radiators - which both were a first at the time in 1/72 I believe - lots of conversion possibilities here. Unfortunately mine got scrapped a few years ago. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Good choice! I built one of these as the NF30 some time in the 80s so this will bring back some memories! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 I've never built this kit. Not sure why because I've done the Airfix kit several times. I remember thinking that the best way to get a decent MkIV would be by using both kits but I never got round to it before the Tamiya kit came along and rendered the subject moot. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Hi guys, sorry for the delay, I have been trying to finish some other stuff as well as a lot of DIY but I have finally made a start. The etch is not exactly accurate but it does add some detail to the cockpit. It fits reasonably well but I need to do some touching up. I have also been busy painting the other parts (more pics to follow). 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 Great to see your Mossie underway 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 (edited) I started this kit a couple of months ago its in a tupperware box next to its partly built 1/24 cousin! This is it's current status : Edited May 14, 2020 by Ruskin Air Services 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted May 14, 2020 Author Share Posted May 14, 2020 You are further on than I am! The fuselage is assembled, complete with aircrew (which I normally leave out) as these were very important when I was a child. Being Matchbox there are some large gaps which will need to be filled, but she is taking shape at least. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 Coming along nicely, you're quite right about the aircrew as I certainly always fitted them as a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 Yes looking good dave,nothing like a blast from yesteryear for topping up the flagging mojo, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted May 22, 2020 Author Share Posted May 22, 2020 A bit more progress with the general shape being apparent. I have had to fit the undercarriage now (which I wouldn't normally do) due to the way it has been designed, and the fit of the nacelles to the wings is awful. There has been some liberal application of filler but more fettling will be required. The good thing is I am actually enjoying modelling again! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 I think she is taking shape quite nicely, fantastic that you are enjoying modelling again! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Hows it coming along Dave? It looked really promising from the last update 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 You beat me to it! She is all cammed up, awaiting decalling. I was going to apply decals for a different airframe on the squadron, but due to laziness I will be using the kit decals. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 That is some very nice painting, very neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 Nice Dave. might be just me but should the grey be where the green is ..and vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 Yup. I sprayed the grey and masked it before realising it should be the other way around. As it will be sitting on my shelf and not going for any competitions I thought sod it! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 1 hour ago, rafalbert said: Yup. I sprayed the grey and masked it before realising it should be the other way around. As it will be sitting on my shelf and not going for any competitions I thought sod it! Haha i know the feeling sometimes 🙂 no one will notice anyway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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