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World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
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REVIEW
1:24 De Havilland Mosquito NFII/FBV
Merlin
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AEROSCALE
#017
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United Kingdom
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Posted: Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 11:57 PM UTC


It's been a long wait - 30 or so years since Airfix first planned a 1:24 Mossie! - but it's finally here, it's HUGE, and it's gorgeous! Mal Mayfield looks at Airfix's stunning new Mosquito NFII/FBV.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
Holdfast
Staff MemberPresident
IPMS-UK KITMAKER BRANCH
#056
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England - South West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Monday, December 21, 2009 - 01:23 AM UTC
Although I mention that the wing tips are seperate I didn't say that there are the 2 types included in the kit.
MrMox
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Aarhus, Denmark
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Posted: Monday, December 21, 2009 - 01:31 AM UTC
Very nice review - very, very tempting.

Just a little editorial stuff: the "highs" and "lows" are the same text.

Cheers/Jan
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
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Posted: Monday, December 21, 2009 - 01:52 AM UTC
Hi Jan

Thanks for picking that up. I've noticed more and more lately that my keyboard its playing up when "pasting" - it's definitely time to try the spare!

All the best

Rowan
jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / Espaņa
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Posted: Monday, December 21, 2009 - 07:50 PM UTC
Man! That is one VERY serious release...


Quoted Text

big box so difficult to hide from spouse.



However, today is the BIG National Lottery here in Spain, so perhaps subterfuge won't be necessary?

It looks like a real winner, in a sense, with the advances in mould-making, perhaps it was a blessing that it wasn't released all those years ago? A really superb Review - thanks Mal!
Torchy
#047
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 12:19 PM UTC
Cheers Mal,I've had to buy one now!!!!Mrs Torch is going to kill you when you come to MK in feb
TWO MERLINS!!!!! in 1/24,dont get any better than that!!!
I want to build it with D Day stripes,so I'll wait for some AM decals
I remember building the 1/32 Revell mossie as a boy,that massive landing gear !!!'I loved that kit
Andy
Holdfast
Staff MemberPresident
IPMS-UK KITMAKER BRANCH
#056
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England - South West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 11:37 PM UTC
Andy I probably shouldn't tell you this but as a member of IPMS KitmakerUK you get at least one set of miracle masks free. Members of the kitmaker Network get 10% discount.

So Andy, if you can decide which scheme you would like to do I can have the masks ready for MK
Bigskip
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Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 10:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

big box so difficult to hide from spouse.



Great comment there Mal.

Great review, having seen the kit at Medway, you've done it justice. If only the Bank Manager understood!!

Nice to see the spel chequer has workd ths tme

Andy
Grumpyoldman
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 12:47 PM UTC
I would love to pick one of them up, but I simply have no place to put it, either unbuilt or built.

But I'll certainly be looking at any of the build blogs, and looking for a few built ups at shows.
Dirkpitt289
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Monday, December 28, 2009 - 12:31 PM UTC
Nice looking model, to bad its so big. I like to do 1/72 scale because of the lack of space in my home.
ted_hayward
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Taipei, Taiwan / 台灣
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Posted: Monday, December 28, 2009 - 08:50 PM UTC
My old lady says I'll have plenty of space to display it...after she leaves me for ordering 2 of these gems! Hey, some husbands go to the pub
Grenadier37
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Texas, United States
Joined: June 02, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, January 07, 2010 - 06:09 AM UTC
Thanks for the review Mal.

I have to ask the all important question; how well does it go together? I remember trying to build the (horrible) Airfix 1/24 FW-190, sure it's an old kit, but Airfix kits aren't known for quality of fit. I know the new kits are much better than the old stuff but again...fit. And the thing ain't cheap either.

I remember the enthusiasm Dragon's 1/32 Bf-110 received, that is until people began trying to build them. Now, they're available for 1/3 the retail price and some think that's still too high. But Hey! They look great in the box.

I hope for Airfix' sake this is a huge success.

Holdfast
Staff MemberPresident
IPMS-UK KITMAKER BRANCH
#056
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England - South West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thursday, January 07, 2010 - 06:34 AM UTC
I must admit to not wanting to cut parts off the sprues as I am not in a position, at the moment to really do any modelling and I want to save this beauty until I get settled in my new modelling den Hawever I have been waiting about 8 months to move so it may be a while yet. You are right though, I really should take a look at the fit. I will have a look at the main pieces, fuselage and wings over the week end and report back. I must say though that just looking at it makes me confident that everything will fit together fine, I saw the built up models at Telford in November.
armouredcharmer
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 07:43 AM UTC
Whilst i applaud Airfix`s gumption for releasing this beastie i`m as green as hell with envy !!.
When is someone gonna get round to doing this magnificent aircraft in 1/32nd scale,i`m lucky to have the old (1990`s moulding) Revell kit in this scale,but to say it`s basic is an understatement.Perhaps by posting this my prayers might be answered,but i`ve never seen pigs fly either !!!
Artful69
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Western Australia, Australia
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Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010 - 11:20 PM UTC
Hi

I just picked up this kit from my local hobby supplier today ... you're right about the size ... it is HUGE ... lol

????????????????????????????????????????????

My question is one about colour scheme / armament compatability ... I like the Dark green / medium sea grey colour of 487 squadron ... but I also LOVE the rockets of the 143 squadron aircraft ... is there anyway of combining the two without any sacreligious error on my part (ie: did 487 squadron ever use the rockets???)

any sugestions would be helpful here!!

cheers
Rog
acktwice
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Massachusetts, United States
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Posted: Friday, June 04, 2010 - 01:59 PM UTC
Your review sold me on the kit.I bought a copy and was amazed at the size and heft to this aircraft. I think it was worth every penny. Cant wait to get started.You were right about the box maybe I can disguise it as an end table.
lordderfel
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
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Posted: Sunday, April 22, 2012 - 08:02 AM UTC
I thought it might be of interest to members why Airfix did not release this kit way back when they did the other 1/24 scale ones. They have had the technology to do this level of detail for a long time now but could never get the instructions detailed enough drawing them by hand. Now they use a CAD package (computer aided design) by a company called PTC. The software at the time of designing the kit was called Pro Engineer, now its called Creo but is the same basic package just updated. The company also have an add on title called Creo Illustrate that at the time of the design of the kit was called Iso Draw. This software takes the 3D CAD models and turns them into illustrations and animations etc. Airfix used this to create the instructions which if youve never seen them are works of art in their own right. I believe they also used this software to produce the assembly animation from the original models that can still be seen on youtube.
Hope its of interest.
Andy
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