This
is a partial retool of the 1980 FBVI, kit that was the best in this scale until
the Tamiya release came along. The Airfix offering is still good value and is
certainly accurate. It formed the
basis for many conversions using a wide range of now OOP resin sets from Paragon
productions, which enabled just about any Mosquito version to be completed.
For
a first look in the box the kit comprises two sets of sprues one bagged, one
not. The box contains all of the parts for the original Mosquito FBVI along with
four new sprues containing the parts needed for both new versions. Two of the
sprues have the fuselage halves along with standard and bulged bomb bay doors.
There are also new interior parts and the raised detailing is quite nice for the
cockpit sidewalls, better than the original kit, which had a very bare cockpit.
There's a separate access hatch and both fuselage halves have camera ports
flashed over. These would obviously need to be drilled out for the PR version.
The instructions detail how to open both sets of bomb bay doors and there is
also what seems to be a 4000lb bomb known as a "cookie".
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The
other sprue contains the upper wing parts from the previously released NF-30 as
well as optional types of wingtips and a pair of external fuel tanks. There are
2 stage merlins with six stack exhausts. Finally there is a new clear sprue
(separately bagged) with two types of canopy. One has the observation blister on
top the other does not. The side panels for the canopy are the blown type only.
The plastic used for the new parts is the same type as the 1/48 Hawks and panel
lines are engraved on all the new parts. The surface detail is very good and the
only ejector pin marks I can see are internal and they're very faint.
There are 3 decal options included;
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#1
is a USAAF PRXVI from 653BS circa September 1944 in PRU blue with a red tail
and invasion stripes.
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#2
is a BXVI from 109Sqn in green/gray with black undersurfaces.
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#3
is an SAAF PRXVI from 60Sqn in PRU blue with red and white striped tail and
yellow spinners. Invasion bands are on he fuselage only.
I
believe that this is the first kit of a two stage merlin PR /Bomber Mosquito. It
represents excellent value at GBP15.99 and is a clever use of both old and new
I
believe that this is the first mainstream kit of a two stage merlin PR /Bomber
Mosquito. It represents excellent value at GBP15.99 and is a clever use of both
old and new parts.
Stephen
Click on
image below on left to see larger image
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