The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

So my second nostalgia build will be the Airfix 1/48th DeHavilland Mosquito FB.VI. The story behind the original is quite nice as my well meaning family knowing very little about aircraft (apart from my Dad) chose this kit on the basis that the registration codes TH*M spelt part of my name

It was the first 1/48th kit that I ever had and the largest piece of plastic I had seen up till that point (I was only 8 ) Unlike the earlier 1/72nd kits like the Falcon the majority of the assembly work was done by yours truly with the painting done by my Dad. The finished model helped me achieve my 'Craftsman' badge in Cub Scouts and still exists today, infact the original will be part of this little display contribution as a real 'Then and Now' comparison.


Box Art:






It's been a long time since I built a 1/48th kit of any subject, probably about 10 years or more, so it still had the wow factor when I opened the lid to see all the lovely 1970's/80's Airfix plastic






Not really a complicated kit but it does have some nice detail and quite animated crew figures which will also be making an appearance for the first time in a long while in one of my models. Can't wait to get cracking on it.

Regards

Tom

It should make for an impressive addition to the display Thom!

Thanks James, it feels a bit strange to be working with cockpit parts that I can actually see


Talking of cockpits; that is where I've been focussing my attentions this week. these are a couple of in progress shots:










I still need to add various colours for the switchgear on the radio stacks and also some P/E belts to the seats. So as you can guess the pilots have been consigned to the spares box, it just doesn't feel right to add crewmen to a plane sat on the ground with its engines off.

Regards

Tom

The cockpit builds up great and you haven't even finished it yet.

Thanks James


Whilst I was waiting for the P/E belts I'd ordered from Hannants to arrive I thought it might be prudent to get some work in on a few other sub-assemblies. Firstly I had to tackle the landing gear as these need to be built up at the same time as the nacelles in order for them to fit. Annoying as it will mean extra masking work further down the line

The gear has been built OOB but I did take the time to drill out the mudguard supports as the kit has the lightening holes molded as solid depressions in the plastic.

Before:





After:




Only a little touch but they all add up to an improved model.



Once the gear was painted and assembled it was a relatively easy task to get the nacelles together and attached to the wings:






I'll add a wash to the main gear legs and hubs once the primary paintwork is completed. I've also drybrushed the radiator intakes in the wing roots as they're a bit difficult to access once things come together:







Luckily the P/E belts arrived on Friday so I could finish off the cockpit work, the intruments have had a few colour switches added and obviously the belts are in place too:









Finally heres a test install into the fuselage, quite a bit of the work is visible so I'm considering a Squadron vac canopy replacement to show it all off:







Regards

Tom

Tom,

Apologies. I haven't really been on this part of the forum for a while.

What a superb start! Looking forward to seeing what you can do with this.

regards,

Martin

Thanks Martin .

Thought it was about time for an update on this build so here we go:










As you can see the fuselage is together and sanded down, wings are on and she's up on her legs, next I'll get on with attaching the tailplanes, belly tray and gun nose before thinking about paint.

Regards

Tom

Painting stage has begun:








For such a large aircraft this really is a simple kit

Regards

Tom

Nearly there Tom, any progress?

There has indeed been progress James, Second coat of green is on as is the first Klear coat. Another coat of Klear then decals and finishing touches. This'll definitely be ready for the show.

Regards

Tom