Since I haven't built any kits for
over 40 plus years I find myself playing catch up with not only the hobby but
with kits I wanted to build from the 1960's and 1970's. One such kit is the
Monogram Mosquito which has a 1965 copyright. I've always considered the
Mosquito one of the best looking aircraft of WWII which also happened
to have outstanding performance as well. Made mostly of balsa sandwiched
between plywood with fir stringers it proved to be light weight but very
strong. It's exploits are legendary especially the bombing of Gestapo
Heardquarters in Oslo, Norway. Through out the war the Mosquito performed
roles as a fighter, fighter-bomber, night fighter, and photo-reconnaisance
missions.
Click on
images below to see larger images
I just love these old Monogram kits and this one was mostly OOB.
I did add some True
Detail wheels and some radio gear to the cockpit to dress it up a bit. The radio was from my spares box. The box decals were used and they gave me some silvering issues, probably because of their age. Paint was a mixture of Tamiya rattle can and airbrushed Model Master enamels. The antenna was made using copper wire.
As I mentioned I really enjoy building these old Monogram as well as Revell kits, they seen to be fairly accurate, and are not complicated to build. I don't fret over rivets or raised versus recessed panel lines. I just add some after market decals, wheels and a decent paint job and they look good on the shelf. The best part is they can be purchased at reasonable prices at any decent model show. For me they're fun to build.
Tom Bebout
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