I have been working on this old (dated 1966!) Monogram 1/48 Mosquito for a GB (Norway GB). I thought I would share some of my work so far here as well. In a nutshell I am building this straight OOB and trying to finish it in time for this months IPMS chapter meeting at the end of the month- might actually have it done in time… this month’s contest theme is “Rule Britannia, any British kit subject”.
So started with the basic compononents build… anything visible on the interior I painted with Humbrol Cockpit Green #78. I also put some Testors model Master foil on the inner surfaces of the landing lights.
Interior components (very few…) were painted, washed, and drybrushed to bring out details. Insturmanet panel instrument gage decals came from a Monogram ProModeler decal sheet.
then glued in place…
I glued the fuselage halves together, sanded the seams smoothe then attached the wings and stabilizers…
prior to attaching the wings and stabs, I thinned/sharpened the trailing edges to a more appropriate thickness. I also sanded down the raised rivets on the flaps and elevators until they were barely there, to give representation of the flush riveted control surfaces on the real bird…
The kit actually has a nice mixture of raised and recessed detail in the right places. Something I am finding to be true with other kits of this vintage by both Monogram and Revell.
Looks good, so far. Small tip; don’t paint the t/e wingtip lights green and red, that applied only to the l/e lights. The t/e were a milky white (both of them,) since they were infra-red. Pilots never knew this; they were told that they were “resin lamps,” and cursed them because they were so dim. Allied nightfighters could approach from the rear, and “interrogate” the a/c with IR, and would leave it untouched, if, in the words of one pilot, “The wingtips lit up like Christmas trees.” I think that the equipment, in the nightfighters, was known as “Primrose” (a yellow flower with a red centre,) but can’t be certain.
Thanks for all the kind words guys, and the heads up about the IR/Resin Lights Edgar. My prime reference has a nice cutaway view that has the resin lamps shown and listed. I have a good off white (Humbrol Ivory) that should do nicely for those. I am just about ready to start main painting at this point, just need to wait on the weather to lighten up on the humidity. So this week will be the masking during my hours after work.
The clear parts are not bad, athough the B.IV canopy is molded on two halves (neccessary due to the bulges in the pilot and B/N side windows) with a seam running down the center along a frame after assembly, while the NF II and FB VI both have a nice single piece canopy also included. I glued it last night and test fitted it this morning. I am considering a Squadron canopy, if one of my LHS has one in stock. Otherwise it will be go with what I have. There are just some gaps in the mating edges.
Well I got the glasswork masked off and attached this morning. I tried a couple different methods with Tamiya masking tape to maks off the canopy (cutting into thin stips, lay along the framing cut gaps where needed then fill the center areas with larger bits of tape, and lay large piece of tape down then cut out framing). Then in the early afternoon, I airbrushed the lower surfaces with MM Enamel Sea Grey Medium. Tomorrow I will do the topside camo colors/pattern.
What I like about the Monogram models of old is that the cockpit is loaded with details just crying out to be brought out. This mosquito is no different. Is this the kit where you have a choice of what models you want to build? They don’t come out with models like those anymore. Today if you want a specific model you either buy AM conversion sets or buy specific kits. Enjoy your build while it last. Post the finished model later. We’d love to see it.
Thanks guys! I am glad you are enjoying my work. As she comes along I can hear the “633 Squadron” theme music in my head…[:-^]
Yes Contructor, this is that kit. It has parts to make the B IV, NF II, or FB VI variant of the Mosquito. Some details on this kit are simply gorgeous, especially the Instrument panel. the seats were passable, and had I felt like investing the time and not pushing for a deadline, I could have certainly tricked out the cockpit and bombardier’s sidewalls with wire and sheet plastic to make it really shine. I personally love these older Monogram kits, they are worth every cent you pay and have so much potential for a builder who want to invest the time and try their hand on detailing.
Okay, this afternoon, I airbrushed on the topside camo colors with my trusty well used Badger airbrush. MM II Enamel Ocean Grey and Dark Green. I have a few good referernce photos of this particular aircraft I am building. It appears to have a sprayed soft edge camo pattern with a hard demarcation line seperating the underside Sea Grey Medium. So I worked on duplicating this look.
This morning I assembled the landing gear struts, sprayed a coat of Future on the Mossie, then set it aside to let dry. In the afternoon I applied the decals, an old Aeromaster sheet, Mosquito Collection part 2. The markings are from 105 Squadron, and actually quite basic. The decals went on very quickly. Looking at all my photo references, it looks like they did not carry underwing roundels. So I opted to leave those off…
More to follow this week as completion approaches…
One day my models will look that good.The chapter meeting at the end of the month is that the one that meets at valley view and orangethorpe ave at the hotel can’t think of the name.
Thanks guys! I am glad you are enjoying. Yes this kit is certainly no Shake and Bake, but no Hog either. Just a good back to basics kit to referesh my memory with.
Plumline, the chapter meeting will be at the LaQuinta Inn. I look forward to seeing you there. My Mossie will be there!
