1/32 scale de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI (1 Viewer)

[Gnomey]

Looks good so far Vic!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Many thanks gents for the encouragement. I've now done the bomb bay sad walls the stbd one being the most troublesome.

As you can see a lot of pipes and such work from the side, mostly hydraulic and fuel I believe.

On the port its just control rods and as you can see I've only done the where they may be visible. I was also worried they may interfere with the gun pack and bomb rack mountings.

 

[Wurger]

 

[rochie]

Impressive as always Vic

 

[fubar57]

Agreed

 

[Crimea_River]

Excellent Vic. The aluminum tubing on the stbd side is indeed mostly hydraulic but there are air lines (supply from engine and distribution to brakes and supercharger intakes) as well as for the fuel vent system. The fuel lines would be the thick black ones.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks gents and thanks Andy for it was a drawing from I think you GB43 that I used as reference.

 

[Crimea_River]

I immersed myself in creating a pipe system schematic diagram for our Mosquito last year to help us identify and run lines for our restoration. There is nothing like this in the British period documentation so it's the result of combining many different and sometimes inconsistent bits of information. Here's an excerpt showing some of the lines in your side panel. You migh5t recognize two of the junction blocks.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Now that would be a challenge but me thinks it would have to be a 1:24 scale, then I would have to put me an extension on the house.

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far Vic!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Amazing how time flies when you have all the time in the world. I have been pottering away and am now needing to do the masking for an all over Medium Sea Gray (XF-83) but I will use SMS PL108. For now though, some pics of how she stands at the moment.

Upside down view of the bomb bay.

The fire power and under side view of the bomb bay.

The cockpit with canopy framework.

Undercarriage and underside view of the Merlin engine.

The nose gun pack.

Have a good weekend folks.

 

[Wurger]

 

[wozza]

Hi Vic , looking excellent ! If you can , just check the 2 x frames [ 1 x either side ] that run [ horizontal ] beside the pilot and navigator seats . I don't think these 2 frames were actually connected to the canopy side panels -- and didn't have the sealing strip that you are representing with the black paint . I haven't got my kit at hand but some Mossies had the 2 x [ corresponding ] canopy side panels bulged [ which might be in the kit ] . In regards to my Airfix build -- I actually painted the black direct onto the inside of the canopy [ where required ] and left all the framing green [ yes you need a steady hand -- but not to bad in 1/24 scale ] . Your method is way easier ! You should be able to use the canopy framing as a guide for the black areas . Also I [ and many other modellers ] paint the very edge of the canopies gloss black where it contacts the fuselage position . This stops light reflecting off the edge of the canopy molding and greatly reduces the noticeable plastic thickness [ great on thick canopies from the 60s and 70s ] This also greatly enhances the shadows of the canopy frames into the cockpit by bringing them into a sharp focus . Gloss black works best for this method and on most of my models --- I will paint the external framing on the canopy gloss black also -- allow to dry -- then use " bare Metal Foil " to frame the canopy . The foil helps the process even further by reflecting more " black light " throughout the plastic . Then paint the frames and trim to size .The only place where it couldn't really work are on airliner passenger windows [ the edges usually being grey ] but for canopies and cockpit enclosures it makes a world of difference . Going great guns your build Vic ! [ pun intended ]

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks for this good info but I'm now stuck with what I've done. The canopy is on and well and truly stuck in place and it is too delicate a piece to think of trying to remove. As it was, I followed the kit instructions in this area and the canopy for this model has no bulges. As a note, this particular build represents the 18 Feb 1944 Operation "Jericho" flown by RNZAF, 487 Squadron from Hunsdon.

 

[wozza]

Sometimes it is very hard to see the bulge in the side canopy panel in a lot of photo's . And I think with this particular Mk of Mossie during this stage of the war it was mainly fitted to the nav's position more frequently . I use wood working glue to glue the canopies [ it doesn't affect the plastic and dries clear ] . I have had to alter a couple of my models years after building them --- and you just pull the canopy away from the model and easily just peel the old glue off . You are really doing great work on this model Vic . I have read some info on " Pick " and the Amiens prison raid -- very interesting stuff . Good choice of scheme Vic

 

[Gnomey]

Great work so far Vic!

 

[SaparotRob]

Exquisite detail. A very impressive 'skeeter.
It looks real.

 

[al49]

Very nice job so far! Keep going!