The
Mosquito is one of the most famous aircraft in aviation history and I like
its classic lines. It is well documented so I won't comment on its history
Models
Both
models come with state of the art engineering as one would expect from
both companies. Neat smooth plastic and engraved panels lines. There are
some similarities in conception of the models but in the end, the Tamiya
model is far more detailed than the Hasegawa kit. The Tamiya kit can be built from
the box, the Hasegawa kit needs some detailing and the use of aftermarket details.
I
have heard some bad comments about the Hasegawa shapes,
but either because I am not a Mosquito specialist or because I am
looking for general appearance more than for total accuracy, I was not
shocked with major inaccuracies. Once built, it looks like a Mosquito to
me. My criticism is more based around the lack of details, especially the
typically undetailed cockpit. What I really found unnerving was the lack of
options and in the end I had to steal some parts from my Tamiya kit to be
able to build the version I wanted : I found it was mean on the part of
Hasegawa that exhaust stacks or fuel tanks were not provided.
Although
I liked the Hasegawa model, Tamiya is in another league : it is well detailed
and full of options.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Building
Building
starts with the cockpit. I used kit parts for the Tamiya model with the
addition of a few bits of an Eduard set (seat belts and throttles) and
this was more because I had them at hand than because it was necessary.
The
Hasegawa kit needs to be detailed there and I added some resin. A saw was used to good
effect to squeeze the cockpit between the fuselages halves and out of the way of
the plastic wing spars. The rest was a paint job using mostly British interior
green and black + white, red or yellow details.
The
fuselage halves were then glued together before I turned my attention to
the wings.
The
wings
went well, once again an advantage of the Tamiya offering at the
engine necelles level. The main wings were glued together then the engine nacelles
were built up. You just have to use kit parts again on the Tamiya thing
while some additionnal work was done in the wheel wells of the Hasegawa
model.
On
the other hand, the part I did not quite like with the Tamiya kit is about
mating wing/engine nacelles at the upper rear of the adjustment : there is
kind of a triangular joint there and it is a pain. I preferred the way
parts mate here on the Hasegawa model
Landing
gears then : again quite complete on the Tamiya model : you just have to
add brake lines. The Hasegawa kit needs the brake lines, but you also have to add
some braces, struts and the typical Mosquito guard frame at the front of
the legs. Both kits provide the prominent Mosquito mud guards but they
were replaced with etched parts.
The
rest builds up quite easlily and the
wing/fuselage attachment is made clean and strong on both models by the
means of
wing spars.
Painting
and decalling
Hasegawa
My
first will was to build a No . 143 Squadron, Banff Mosquito with the EDSG/Sky
scheme : NoED was my aircraft of choice. I had some photos of that very aircraft
and the camouflage clearly was stained with darker spots. My photographs also
showed unfaired exhaust stacks and underwing pylons : I had to steal them from
the Tamiya kit as Hasegawa does not provide these options in the boxing I had.
My
first thought, based on some drawings and decal sheet instruction was that the
dark spots on the photos actually was gark green from the original camouflage
showing through. I was very happy
to read Kirre Ingebrethen report on ARC (link below) and I then stuck to his
well defined and documented explainations (thanks to him)
http://www.arcair.com/Fea1/101-200/Fea188_Mosquito_Ingebrethsen/Fea188.htm
I
therefore changed my interpretation, darker areas on the picture must be fresh
EDSG paints. After the kit was complete I found at that side panels on engine
nacelles must have been left bare
metal or painted light grey (photo show lighter engine nacelles but I failed to
notice that detail I read more about the aircraft)
I
found it was a pain to paint the spinner stripes and I am not completely
satisfied with them although some masking was used there. Decals are from a
Superscale sheet.
Weathering
was exercised with light airbrushing, washes of thinned paint and inks and then
completed with powder. Gunze paints mostly.
Tamiya
I
originally thought I’d build the Tamiya Mosquito as a RAF Day fighter with the
more common green/grey camouflage. That is when I found an Eagle Strike decal
sheet in my pile and I just decided I should finish my new Mosquito as this
smart silver aircraft with dark blue/light blues cockades and codes and dark
blue stripes. Overall silver is from Xtracolor and I found it very easy to
airspray.
This paint dries with a smooth finish and is very strong. The reverse side is
that now being use toacrylics, I found it took some time to cure and it
smells!!
I
used decal softeners on all decals, but I did not find it necessary to use any
gloss varnish on NoED.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Weathering
Dark
black or sepia oil paint thinned with White Spirit to mark all panel lines. Inks
and powder. I also sprayed thinned dark paint for all gun smoke or exhaust
stains. I also added last details and airbrushed a thin layer of matt varninsh
to seal my weathering and blend decals in the aircraft overall coulours.
In
the end I am quite satisfied with both my Mosquitoes. Their different liveries
make them very different.
I
found both models are very good and thay are the kind of plastic models I like
to work with. That said and although an attractive Mosquito can be built from
the Hasegawa kit, I had far more pleasure building the Tamiya model that really
can be build with no aftermarket accessories, thus saving both time and money.
Eric
Click on
images below to see larger images
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