Feature article by Julian Seddon
Ed note: this is our second major build of the Airfix DH Mosquito – Dave Coward has done a superb job, building his mainly from the box. Julian’s focus here is going to be to add some additional detail and focus on that weathered paint job – providing two contrasting approaches to this awesome kit. So do read Dave’s review in Finished Now too, to get the full low down on all the details of assembly.
Geoff
After a long break I am back in my workshop! And dominating it is the Airfix Mossie!
Having read Spencer Pollard’s build of it in which he said that it took him 150 hours to build, I have decided only to detail the cockpit a bit, the guns a little and give it a really used paint job. I may change my mind as I progress!
The aircraft I am loosely using as a basis for this is from the Xtradecal set illustrated below. I have no photo reference of this aircraft to show what sort of condition it was in during the Normandy ops, so I will presume that it operated out of the dusty / muddy airfields there.
Thanks to Dave Coward I have a number of books to refer to as to the condition of Mossies on active service, they got dirty!
In addition to the Xtradecal set I am using an MDC Sutton harness for the “driver’s” side and a Cutting Edge harness for the navigator (get it here: www.modeldesignconstruction.co.uk ). As I had it originally for the Trumpeter 1:24 Spit. which I have not yet built. As you can see from the photos they are made of a flexible resin, I am interested to see how they can be worked.
Cammett have just produced an etch set for the cooler intake grills and the catches for the engine covers (get it here: www.cammett.co.uk/ ). The catches are small and therefore will be fiddly to install so I will have to give some thought to that before sanding off the moulded ones!