Alongside the Gladiator, i am also building the 1975 boxing of the Mosquito. I did this kit years ago as an all black NF aircraft, but that was lost. So interesting to be building this alongside a new tooled kit.
One really interesting addition in this kit is a small label that we never see here any more.
And while it may have been made here, it was sent to me from across the pond by Eagle 90 a couple of years ago. Unfortunly the decals are a right off. But in my search for replacments i found some decals for aircraft operated by BOAC flying between Scotland and Swedan, so i’ll be doing on of those. In additiong, i am useing an Airwaves PE set, pretty basic but its better than what the kit has. I also have some resin wheels and a vac canopy.
The pit soom went together and got painted along with some PE belts out of the spares box.
And the fuselage went together and the wings added. Fit isn’t perfect but better than the SM.79.
I didn’t know anything about the BOAC aircraft until i spotted the decals. I know they operated different types in other parts of the world. But the Mossie missions seem rather interesting.
I loved this kit when I was a kid. I think the first time I built it, it cost a whopping $2.00 (Australian) If I recall correctly, the kit it replaced was quite horrible in comparison.
John, indeed they did, amongst other things. I am going to give some background to these flights when i finish the build as i think its some many, myself includd, may not be very familiar with.
$2, now them was the days. I think i got my first one in the 90’s, would have been one of those in the white box made in France.
Got the construction on the Mossie finished last weekend, eneded up going together better than i had expected given its age.
The gun troughs underneath were filled in as per the pics i found.
Followed by some painting. Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey on top, Sky undersides. All Xtracolor.
Decals are from a company called Vingtor Decals. This set provides markings for the 6 original Mk VI aircraft operated by BOAC from mid 1943 as well as 3 replacment aircraft recieved in 44. While the first 6 had the Sky undersides, these were re-painted black after several months of operations. The 3 replacments came with black undersides. I have done one of the original 6 in its delivery scheme.
The larger outer strips on the underside did not conform well to the large hinges for the flaps. The decal sheet recomends the Tamiya kit and looking at the one i built last year, i think these would work much better on that kit.
Weathering will be limited to some light exhaust staining as i want to show an aircraft as delivered.
So here are the final pics of the Mossie, first just the aircraft. As you can see, i left it clean ashide from the exhaust staining. BOAC only operated these for a short time before having the undersides re-painted black, so i just left it looking new.
When i saw this decal sheet on Hannants, it was the frist time i had ever come across these military aircraft operated by BOAC, seems to be a forgotten part of the war. The companies role was to keep the UK in touch with her Colonies, Allies and neutral nations. This often involved flying close to enemy territory, and those aircraft flying to neutral contries of course had to be un-armed and maned by civilian crews. One of these routes was between Scotland and Sweden. This of course involved flying between German held Norway and Denmark, a task that became more tricky after the Germans deployed Fw 190’s. In 1942, BOAC asked for faster aircraft and recieved a single Mosquito Mk IV in Dec 1942. In early 43 they recieved a further 6 aircraft, this time Mk VI’s, painted in an over water scheme at BOAC’s request. In August, the 5 remaining aircraft (one had crashed and been written off earlier that month) had the undersids painted black. In 1944, a further 3 Mk VI’s were delivered with the undersides already in black.
These aircraft carried diplomatic items, cargo such as ball bearings and passangers in a modified bomb bay, with a mattress installed and in flight service consisting of a flask of tea.
One such passenger was a Danish physicist Niels Bohr. It seems that Mr Bohr didn’t filly understanded the instructions on donning his oxygen mask. Durying the flight, the pilot could get no response from his cargo and, guessing what had happened, dropped to a lower altitude, saving his life. It is claimed that on landing, Niels claimed it was the best sleep he ever had. He went on to join the British team working on the Manhatten Project.
BOAC operated these routes until the end of the war and continue as a company until 1974. It was merged with BEA to form the UK’s current flag carrier, British Airways.
I have not added any figures, just the aircraft awaiting its next flight to Sweden.
