1/48 Tamiya Mosquito Prototype E 0234 |
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Gallery Article by Phil Golding |
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1/48 Tamiya Mosquito B.IV converted to Prototype E 0234
This is Tamiya's
1/48 D.H. Mosquito, converted to the Prototype, using the Paragon conversion
set. Although the set was originally designed for the Airfix 1/48 FB.VI,
it can be fitted to the Tamiya kit with little fuss, as you can see. I
picked up the conversion sets (two of them) at the Southern Expo, after finding
them here on ARC's classifieds. As I collected them from Keith, who had
sold them to me (Thanks, Mate!), we began discussing the possibility of using
the Tamiya kit instead of the Airfix...after all, the Tamiya kit is better, and
it's already a bomber, so no need to modify the nose, or the cockpit. The
only worrying part was the cost of making a mess of it...Airfix Kit; available
for as little as £10. Tamiya; double that!
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The main differences between the
production model and the prototype are;
- 1) The shortened nacelles, which
do not extend past the wing trailing edge. These were later extended after
testing, when it was found that airflow break-up interfered with elevator
control.
- 2) Handley Page automatic
leading-edge slats. These were fitted, although wired shut and taped over
for the maiden flight, which showed them to be unneccessary, so they were
deleted.
- 3) Shortened wing tips.
- 4) Short-span horizontal tail
- 5) Exhaust outlet. This was
found to be a fire hazard, and so the stacks were changed.
- 6) Single flaps, not split by the
nacelles.
In addition, as I was building
the model as the Prototype when she had her B-Class registration of E 0234,
prior to her Air Ministry Number of W 4050, there is no antenna fitted behind
the cockpit.
All in all, it wasn't too
difficult a job, and a lot less hassle than trying to modify the Airfix
kit...I'm inherently lazy at heart! Unfortunately, the nice Vac-formed
canopy and nose did not quite fit the Tamiya kit, but the Tamiya clear parts are
nice enough as it is. Most of the kit was built out-of-the-box, and posed
no problems, I added a little wiring and used the kit seat-belt decals, but
fixed them to wine bottle foil first, for a little 3-D effect.
Matching the Yellow was a little
problematical. Lifecolor quote UA 140 as being a match for Trainer Yellow,
but I found it a bit too 'Lemony' for my liking. I found UA 042,
Chrome Yellow, to be a far more acceptable colour. Some roundels and
markings were from the kit, others from the spares box. I'm still trying
to find definitive info on whether the 'No Step' boxes and crosses were present
over the radiators on the prototype, I can always add them later.
I hope you like it.
All the best,
Phil Golding
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