Airfix 1:24 Mosquito

[Makko]

After a long delay (operations, business trips, daughter starting Uni in Italy, Xmas, etc.), I finally recommenced work on the Airfix 1:24 Mosquito. Bluddy expensive to paint! Finally, it is coming together. Currently working on cannons, machine guns and bomb bay to get the underside finished......If anyone is interested! One crib that I have is the brittleness of the plastic, meaning that a lot of delicate pieces break before getting them off the sprue! Just more work, I suppose.

[Dartskipper]

Hi Makko, well done on taking on a mammoth project.

Reference cutting small parts from the sprue, try cutting the sprue away with the part still attached, then carefully cut the excess plastic and remains of the attached sprue away from the component. It helps reduce any inherent tension in the moulded parts. Also try cutting small parts in a large clear plastic bag, it saves them from being devoured by the dreaded rug monster! A few of my models got finished minus an odd machine gun or pilot when I was a lad!
(There are several modelling forums online that could help with any other advice about this kit. It has generally received great reviews.)



Good luck with the build, keep us posted.

Regards,

[BobClay]

Fabulous plane the old Mozzy.

[Makko]

Thanks, Guys! I will keep you abreast.

I have a pair of sprue cutters to take the pieces off, but the parts were already broken. I was mulling over eplacing the finer lines with wire but I decided to reglue then together and clean up.

The fit of the kit is, overall, very good, but the fuselage long seams not so.

Rgds.
Dave

[Tmac1720]

Good lad, we'll make an engineer out of you yet

[Engine Serang]

Manys a ship sailed from H&W with bits missing. Sammy tried welding inside a plastic beg but it kept melting. Rugs and carpets were in short supply on the shop floor but the spoilt brats in the Drawing Office were up to their oxters in Axminister.
Was the Mosquito a class of corvette?

[Engine Serang]

Hot of the Press...…… Sunday Times, 08 March 2020. (Page 3).

Good News, Discovery Channel is showing a series called Shipwreck Secrets which includes a show about SS Justica.
The show had many highly, highly p ltantsd we wait with joyous anticipation, a few beers and a spicy pizza.
Highly, highly paid consultants, who were also very good looking.

[Makko]

Update: Sorry for the delay.

Kit in the final stages. The decals are APPALLING!!!! They break and fall off, even after liberal application of Decal Fix.

The crew door is 100% scratchbuilt - The cats lost the original that I had painted a night before and, after crawling over the entire house with a torch, I submitted!

I decided to glue the entire nose cone on as the cats had also lost an ammo belt and I couldn't be ar$ed to fabricate a new one.

A lot of the parts positions in the instructions are vague and, even at this late stage, I find that parts numbers are incorrect in the plans.

The nacelle covers are a lovely fit though!

I don't think that I will build again at such a large scale - so many hard worked details are lost!

The missiles comprise 24 separate parts and, potentially, 48 decals! I only applied the warhead loops (16 decals) and one "spot" on each tailfin (8x), total 24x decals.

The exhaust pipes represent four hours starboard engine engine and two hours port (experience!).

I have now ordered a new kit from Ukraine but, with COVID 19, who knows when it will arrive. I might fill in with an Airfix Sea Harrier or Lightning in the meantime.

Best Rgds.
Dave

[Makko]

Originally Posted by Makko

Update: Sorry for the delay.

More Photos. I will have to experiment with the exhaust wash and will probably finish this week.
Rgds.
Dave

[BobClay]

Nice ....

[Dartskipper]

Looking good Dave, despite your many snags.

Don't worry about bits missing, even the original prototype at Salisbury Hall has patches and bodges!

Regards.

[Makko]

Scrub the last - All non-food/pharmacies closed by government order! I was hoping to buy from Yuppi's in Plaza Inn to encourage them to keep selling models.
Rgds.
Dave

[Tmac1720]

Originally Posted by Engine Serang

Hot of the Press...…… Sunday Times, 08 March 2020. (Page 3).

Good News, Discovery Channel is showing a series called Shipwreck Secrets which includes a show about SS Justica.
The show had many highly, highly p ltantsd we wait with joyous anticipation, a few beers and a spicy pizza.
Highly, highly paid consultants, who were also very good looking.

Must have missed that, any idea when it will be shown again ?

[Alan Gamblin]

A lot of the parts positions in the instructions are vague and, even at this late stage, I find that parts numbers are incorrect in the plans.


Hi Makka,


I may be teaching you to 'suck eggs' but I have always used photo references (from books & mags) as a back-up in case the kit instructions are vague or incorrect. I guess that the kit manufacturers can't always get everything right. An excellent job by the way.


Regards
Alan G

[Makko]

Originally Posted by Alan Gamblin

A lot of the parts positions in the instructions are vague and, even at this late stage, I find that parts numbers are incorrect in the plans.


Hi Makka,


I may be teaching you to 'suck eggs' but I have always used photo references (from books & mags) as a back-up in case the kit instructions are vague or incorrect. I guess that the kit manufacturers can't always get everything right. An excellent job by the way.


Regards
Alan G

Thank you Alan for the compliment.

I tend not to have time to investigate as much as I would wish.

The origin of this project was that I had my eye on the kit due to the size. However, in Mexico, it cost more that 300 pounds! Checking on the net, it was not a preposterus mark up. Then, early last year, I was in Santiago de Chile and I had a bit of free time. I duly looked up "model kits" and found a HUGE hobby store (almost superstore) about 6 Km from the hotel. They had the kit at about 150 pounds!

My left knee was in very bad shape, I was on the midnight flight direct to Mexico City and, being summer in the southern hemisphere, was very hot. Well, you may as well wave a red rag at a bull!

I am glad that I undertook the kit because there are a lot of subtle differences between small scale and large scale. Regarding the latter, the exorbitant amount of paint (and therein cost!) to successfully complete. I went with aerosol cans for the upper and lower surfaces.

BTW, I work with and am friendly with Tony Greenland's son who lives/works in Santiago. Any modellers who are into "ultra detail" armour models will immediately recognize the name! The mud on the tyre treads is a nod to Tony!

Best Regards,
Dave

[Makko]

The Mozzie is basically complete, but I need a photo - shoot as much detail will be lost forever when I box her up.

In the interim, I have built several smaller models and will include photos of all presently.

In the meantime, here is my 1:48 Mitsubishi M6A5 Reisen, completed on Saturday 08/06.

Rgds.
Dave

[Makko]

And, today, I completed a 1:72 Spitfire Mk.IX, RAF Sq.126, 1944.

I bought, on eBay a lot of nine kits for USD57, which was a bargain. Currently finishing a 1:48 Me-109 and have just started (one of my favourites) an Me-262 (1:48).

The downside is that paints are running low!

Rgds.
Dave

[Makko]

What I consider to be a small gem in the crown! An unusual model and, given that the decals were past their sell by date, a bit of a miracle (I had to use some from the spares box).

1:72 Heinkel He51A-1 biplane.

Many thanks to BOB WILSON for tips on rigging! It is stretched copper wire, glued with PVA and painted black.

Rgds.
Dave

[Makko]

Another gem from the USD57 "fire sale" - A 1:144 B17-G. Quite a change for me. The decals on this one were completely shot. I had to scrounge/invent from the spares box.

Rgds.
Dave

[Dartskipper]

Great work Dave. Good to see that skills learned years ago haven't been wasted!

P.S. Where would we be without that box of spares and old decals? Also, as a suggestion, I use Microscale Industries decal solutions to help settle the decals on all surfaces. They make a product that works on old decals, "Liquid Decal Film," as well as solutions that fix decals and help settle them in tricky areas. The company manufactures in the USA, so you may be able to find them where you live.

[Makko]

Thanks Roy. I use Tamiya Mark Fix. It would appear that the kits were subjected to heat - A couple of the box ends are completely browned and the Me109 prop looked like it was off a crashlanded aircraft! On the Heinkel, I had to replace the crosses and used swastikas from a set that I bought from Hannants (UK). The B17 decals just turned to dust when they met the water - I was only able to save the wheel roundels. Thankfully, the Spit decals were good, although a little trying getting the smaller alerts/RT connection signs on! It keeps me busy and makes me happy..........!
Rgds.
Dave

[Makko]

BTW, you can tell the age of a kit by if there are swastikas included in the decals! Hence, my investment!
Rgds.
Dave

[Dartskipper]

Thanks for the extra info Dave. Did you think of making a diorama of the Me109? With the bent prop you could have finished it as Oberleutnant Franz von Werra's plane that crashed near Marden, Kent in 1940. There are some well known images on the net, and Hannant's must still have some decals for his scheme! Even Airfix recently had this plane in 1:72 and 1:48 scales in von Werra's markings.

I remember building planes years ago without swastikas, Revell used to supply extra crosses for the fins in some kits. It's still a contentious subject, but historical accuracy is necessary I think.

This lockdown has given me the opportunity to get back to some kit bashing, and I'm nearly at the end of a project that has been hanging around for a few years. When it's complete I'll post some images. It's a Hawker Typhoon with the car door type cockpit in 1:48. Should be ready by the weekend.

[Makko]

I look forward to it, Roy!
Best Rgds.
Dave

[Dartskipper]

Thanks Dave,

Here are some images of a Hurricane that I built for someone I know. There is a very poignant story attached to actual aircraft.

http://www.poeticexpressions.co.uk/b...ave-story-111/

Best regards.