Mosquito NF MKXIX aerial questions.

[Mycapt65]

Hi guys, I'm building a MkXIX. Serial MM650 to be exact. I opened up the holes in the kits lower wings for what I believe is Altimeter radar aerials.

Then I found this photo of a fresh plane 2 airframes later without these aerials.  

 

Is it possible they get added later or should I plug the holes and omit them from the build?  So far there's no photos of MM650 to confirm our deny their existence.

 

Also, were the radar dipoles on the wingtips bladed or round? The kit parts look round and a little thick. I wanted to replace them with thinner stainless wire to make them more scale and durable. If they were bladed it will require a different solution.

 

Thanks 

Ron 

 

 

 

 

[T-21]

The Radio altimeter under the wing is SCR-718 near to the outboard side of the engines. Circular pole downwards. The horizontal is round but tapers to a point at both ends . 

 

The wingtip double Azimuth aerials are bladed  top and bottom.

 

Unable to locate sizes at present.

[Mycapt65]

57 minutes ago, T-21 said:

The Radio altimeter under the wing is SCR-718 near to the outboard side of the engines. Circular pole downwards. The horizontal is round but tapers to a point at both ends . 

 

The wingtip double Azimuth aerials are bladed  top and bottom.

 

Unable to locate sizes at present.

Thank you very much for that information. If it turns out I should keep the radio altimeter aerials I'll have to scratch build them soldering brass rod. The kit has doubled circular vertical poles.

 

Be well 

Ron 

[Dave Swindell]

2 hours ago, Mycapt65 said:

Hi guys, I'm building a MkXIX. Serial MM650 to be exact. I opened up the holes in the kits lower wings for what I believe is Altimeter radar aerials

Then I found this photo of a fresh plane 2 airframes later without these aerials. 

I'd concur with @T-21 and add that the RadAlt aerials were only fitted to later war Mosquitos operating in a low level role capacity eg Coastal Command. As the kit instructions show, one option had them fitted, one didn't. A nightfighter operating at medium - high altitude wouldn't need them, but they'd definitely be useful for a night intruder stooging around at treetop height. They're not easy to spot under the wing in shadow, especially when the wing underside is painted black, but if you can see them on other night intruder mossies there's a good chance they were fitted to your aircraft.

 

[Graham Boak]

True for the UK and this model.  Earlier in the Med the main threat came from anti-shipping Ju88s.  With their wingtip mounted radalts they could get lower than the Beaufighters and turn tighter, so getting away.

[Mycapt65]

6 hours ago, Dave Swindell said:

I'd concur with @T-21 and add that the RadAlt aerials were only fitted to later war Mosquitos operating in a low level role capacity eg Coastal Command. As the kit instructions show, one option had them fitted, one didn't. A nightfighter operating at medium - high altitude wouldn't need them, but they'd definitely be useful for a night intruder stooging around at treetop height. They're not easy to spot under the wing in shadow, especially when the wing underside is painted black, but if you can see them on other night intruder mossies there's a good chance they were fitted to your aircraft.

 

Thanks. All good points. From what I read on another forum 157 squadron planes were put on diver patrol from late July to late August. Would altimeter warnings be helpful in that role?

 

Its probably safer to eliminate them on this plane than use them.

 

Be well 

Ron