Tamiya 1/48 DeHavilland Mosquito NF.XIX

[Paul Bradley]

Made for a Mosquito GB at UAMF, this is the Tamiya 1/48 DeHavilland Mosquito NF.XIII kit, completed as an NF.XIX of 89 Sqn, Baigachi, India, 1945:

 

 

 

 

In this case, I wanted something different to the run-of-the-mill grey/green UK-based night fighters. A little research showed that a small number of Mk.XIXs were shipped to the Far East to act at night intruders. These were mainly operated by 89 and 176 Sqns from Baigachi airbase just east of Calcutta in India during the last few months of WWII.

 

There's a full-colour profile of one such machine in the Paul Lucas book, de Havilland Mosquito Day and Night Fighters in RAF Service 1941-1945 (SAM Combat Colours №6). This is TA230, letter N, of 176 Sqn - see also this photo of TA230 from the long out-of-print James Halley book, The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to The Pandemic, the British Public Records Office is allowing free downloads of materials, so I was able to get the Operations Record Book for 176 to try to find out more. What I found was that it has two lists of serials of the Mosquitos it used, but TA230 was not one of them, nor apparently did the squadron code any of their machines 'N.'

 

So I downloaded the records for 89, as the squadrons were co-located for a short period. While that squadron doesn't have any serial lists, it does have some references to individual code letters, and N is one of them. So I feel that this is a case of misidentification of the squadron.

 

 

Of course, it's Tamiya, so good fit, simple build and the only aftermarket were the crew harnesses and the resin wheels. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. 

 

Edited December 5, 2021 by Paul Bradley

[Baldy]

Nice job Paul and well done for finding something a little different.

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[RMCS]

Stunning  work 

[David H]

Wow, Paul! That is Splendid! I was familiar with the SEAC PR and Bomber Mosquitoes in silver, but not the night fighters.

 

Myself, i'm well along building a PR34 conversion.

 

Great pictures. Thanks for posting!

[Paul Bradley]

Thanks, guys! 

[Remus389]

Good to see another Mossie. I am planning to build one in the future, haven't decided which version yet, this one also looks good. 👍

[Dunny]

Lovely build and finish of an unusual scheme - congratulations!

[Retired Bob]

Superb looking Mosquito and a lovely paint scheme.  

[franky boy]

Great work. 
 

I had no idea these later NF Mossies served in the Far East. I also happen to have one in the stash😀

 

James

[Paul Bradley]

Thank you chaps - appreciate it! 

[Gary Brantley]

Beautiful model Paul!   What a stunning finish!  

[F-32]

Lovely build of one ugly Mossie!

[Tbolt]

Very nice work. I've always loved this colour scheme on a Mosquito and nice to see it on an NF.

 

[Paul Bradley]

Cheers!

 

Incidentally, the NMF is the late, lamented Testors Metalizer Non-Buffing Aluminum, overcoated with a satin varnish coat after decalling. I'm now running low on Non-Buff Alu and will miss it. 

[Paul Bradley]

2 hours ago, F-32 said:

Lovely build of one ugly Mossie!

 

While I admit the Bullnose isn't the most attractive Mossie snoot, at least it isn't a TT.39! 🐽

[Spitfire31]

Smashing Mossie! That first photo could just as well have been taken of a full size machine in a museum – that was my impression.

 

Top notch modelling.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[Paul Bradley]

Thanks, Joachim, I appreciate that! Wouldn't it be grand to see one of these in a museum, in this scheme? 🤤