This is an old
AIRFIX kit which has been on the market for quite some time. It has been built
to represent a PR aircraft Mk XVI serialed NS502/M which belonged to No. 544
Squadron and was based at Benson up to nearly the end of 1945, it was later
passed on to the Fleet Air Arm and eventually struck off charge on 07/11/1947.
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images below to see larger images
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The Merlin engines
supplied in the kit have been replaced by two stage Merlins. These are so well
done that you only need to cut off the old engines and replace with the
new ones. So has the vac form canopy to include the observation domes at the top
and at the sides. These items came from Paragon Designs.
The fighter bomber
nose of the Mk VI, as supplied in the kit, has been replaced by a glazed nose
from a Monogram Mk IV bomber which fitted perfectly. So did the slipper tanks
under the wings.
At the tail end, the rudder and stabilizers
have been detached from the model and set at a more realistic angle.
An in flight photo of NS502/M,
with two shots of the model in B/W below.
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images below to see larger images
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The roundels on the wings came
from the decal sheet supplied in the kit, while the rest came from the spares
box.
Lastly
it has been given a coat of Testors PR Blue, weathered and given a final coat of
Testors matt lacquer.
Cyril
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images below to see larger images
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