Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

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skypirate
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Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by skypirate »

Put on your sunglasses!

Matchbox Mossie modified with 4-blade props, resin extended wingtips, wheels, gun pack and acetate canopy.
Only 5 of this high-altitude night fighter were produced. They were modified from bomber aircraft and were originally in regular camouflage before this Deep Sky Blue scheme.

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This kit is the only injected 1/72 option with the 2-stage Merlins necessary for a Mk.XV model.
Build details in local Workbench Window:
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=471&start=60

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Below you can see the replacement wheels and improved main u/c. The wheels came pre-flattened to a severe degree that had to be toned down. The props came from the Airfix kit.

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The landing lights and various scoops and bumps at the wing/fuselage junction were added. You can see some more of the improved main u/c. There is also a roof to the wheel wells in there.

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The clear acetate canopy was not a great fit, but white glue fixed all the gaps. The interior has some leftover details from the fine Tamiya kit. Only the wing decals are original Matchbox; all the rest from spares and Modeldecal serials.

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The conversion set is Paragon 7233 by Neil Burkhill. It is quite simple to use, though I discarded the 8 individual resin prop blades and spinners in favour of the Airfix replacements. The Matchbox kit is very simple and needs a little effort to busy it up.

Hope you like this one!

cheers,

David
Lyell72planes
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by Lyell72planes »

Great looking model. I never seen a Mosquito with that
paint though. :grin: Lyell...
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MDT
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by MDT »

Great conversion - thats a colour scheme new to me and very striking as well as nicely finished.
hamden
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by hamden »

Stunning Mosquito, like the way you beefed up the u/c.

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Martin R
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by Martin R »

Skypirate,

Possibly my favourite marque of Mossie, and that's a lovely job you've done of it. I will now avidly scan your Workbench Window to find out how you managed to improve the rather crude Matchbox undercarriage.

Incidentally, I think the conversion set was from Paragon. I have the same set for the Matchbox kit, but I've never used it, coz I couldn't think how to improve the main gear. I also have the later Paragon kit for the Mk XVIII based on the Tamiya kit, which would be an easier build, methinks.

regards,

Martin
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by Dirkpitt289 »

Stunning build
.... Dirk

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skypirate
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by skypirate »

Martin R wrote:I think the conversion set was from Paragon. Martin
Absolutely right, thanks, Martin.
The Tamiya kit is an excellent starting point.
My next set of photos is for the finished Airfix Mk XVIII.

cheers,

David
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by Barry »

Very nicely done. Always good to see something a bit different from the norm.
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bernard5802
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by bernard5802 »

Very nice work
Justin1980
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by Justin1980 »

Awesome build, and you learn history on here too!

Never new those mossie's exsisted!

Justin
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Re: Matchbox 1/72 Mosquito NF.XV

Post by broadside »

Really nice model! Lovely work.
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