Yes, some of the colours are a bit 'off' at times, but what's more irritating is the inaccuracy !
I bought the 'Zoom' sets for the Mosquito FB.VI and B.IV, mainly to save having to try to paint the very small engine instruments on the panels provided in the relevant kits.
Both of these sets are virtually identical, apart form one or two small, specific parts, and neither of them are 100% accurate, particularly the one for the FB.VI.
The main instrument panels are acceptable, and obviously a huge improvement on what can be achieved with a paint brush, but the fuel gauge panel for the starboard wall looks more like that seen in the Mosquito prototype (probably modelled from that aircraft, preserved at Salisbury Hall), and does
not match the one in the FB.VI
or the B.IV, and a couple of the smaller panels have incorrect placement instructions.
If just an instrument panel is required (apart from the other bits needed for a Mossie cockpit), then those from 'Yahu', ready made, coloured and glazed, look superior, both in accuracy and colour. I would have used 'Yahu' panels for this and the other Mosquito builds to come, but they were out of stock at the time.
Anyway, as I can't go any further with the NF.II at the moment, until the decals have had time to fully 'bed down' and set, I've returned to the FB.VI, and the cockpit has been prepared for detailing and painting.
Despite my comments (above) regarding the Eduard fuel gauges panel, I decided to use this after all, as I felt that, if painted, the instruments would not match, or be as 'refined', as those on the Eduard parts. Consequently, the raised instrument bezels on the top half of the kit panel have been sanded off, leaving the raised detail on the lower section, which will be highlighted once the panel and cockpit have been painted.
The main wiring bundles have been added, using lead wire, and some small details added to the walls and the bulkhead, using plastic rod and strip.
Those areas where scratch-built or pre-printed PE parts will be attached, have been masked with small rectangles of Tamiya tape, before brush-painting the cockpit overall in Humbrol 78, RAF Cockpit Grey Green, lightened with a spot or two of matt white.
PICS 1 and 2 Show the cockpit walls, with the added detail and the tape masks. The red arrows indicate the line of the front bulkhead, with that on the port wall also being a guide for the placement of a scratch-built bulkhead on this side, so that the cables can be placed and cut without fouling the fit of the assembled cockpit. The yellow arrow marks the line of the inner face of the instrument panel, to aid in the placement of the parts masks, and the parts themselves, to ensure they will not foul, or be too close, to the panel when fitted.
PIC 3. The engine control rods have been fitted to the bulkhead, using thin plastic rod, and the locating slot for the kit's redundant R1155 radio receiver has been filled with plastic card, and is in the process of being sanded in this shot.
PICS 4 and 5. The cockpit walls painted in the Cockpit Grey Green.
When the paint has dried, the masks will be removed, and some scratch-built parts will be fitted, along with some of the Eduard parts.
The various panels will be re-touched as required after fitting, and the cables etc will be painted, before moving on to the detail areas for the main instrument panel, control column, seats and Navigator's back and head armour.
I have now received the materials to make the 'masters' for the 'Gee' equipment etc, and I hope to get these made, and the resin duplicates cast, over the next couple of days.
Once done, they'll be detailed, painted, and fitted to the 'shelf' behind the seats, along with the relevant wiring.
Thanks again for your continued interest, and I might have some more pics later - if I don't get the PE parts stuck to my fingers !!