I chose this one mainly because the decals required come with the kit
Plus I do like a Mossie (doesn't everyone?)
The common/popular (delete as appropriate) Airfix kit that many of us will have built at some point - I know I had at least 2 of these in my youth.
This will be the first time I've done an all-black scheme since coming back to modelling last autumn - so fingers crossed for a nice even finish.
Boxart
Parts
The engine nacelles are removed from the sprue because I read a review at 'smakr' which claimed servere fit-up problems - but on inspection, it appears that despite claiming to be very careful to follow the instructions, the reviewer did make a pretty elementary mistake.
If you fit a port and starboard nacelle halves together, they do appear to fit each other well - but then you get the exact problems the reviewer encountered - namely a huge gap at one side, and cutting/sanding required to make the other side fit.
To be fair to the reviewer though - they are positioned on the sprues in such a way that if you fit the pairs nearest each other together, they do 'look' right - even though you will have fitted a port left-half to a starboard right half - and vice-versa.
(Dunno about the review sample, but all 4 parts in my kit have numbers on the inside AND either a 'P' or 'S')
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/p ... 6-18-m.htm;
I've emailed 'smakr' to point this out - hopefully they'll amend the review, because it does unfairly criticise the kit quite heavily for it.
Anyhoo - I digress...
A little researching and I've found that 23 squadron switched from Havocs to Mosquitos in May 1942
These were NF mk.IIs which had the nose-radar removed, and gun cameras fitted - designated 'NF mk.II (special)' - and operated mostly night-time cross-channel raids, until they were re-deployed to Malta just before Christmas '42
I won't be doing much in the way of extras - I'll try to fill the cockpit a bit, got a few references, but the biggest help will probably be a 1/48 Revell Mossie 'B' I built a few months ago, (need to check if there's any major differences between the offices of a 'B' and 'NF' though)
Obviously the kit's radar needs to be left out, and I'll have to see if I can find photo to show what can be seen of that gun-cam.
edited to add:
Gun-cam sorted - the kit has the 'hole' in the nose, just need to add a kinda funnel shape, and lens behind the surface.
Looking forward to this - Need something to kep me occupied until June - LOL
