My Tamiya Mosquito turned up today and having only ever built Airfix and Revell branded kits, I am really pleased with how good this one is.

Here is the box:



I've chosen to build the 143 squadron version because I thought the rockets and colours looked cool:



I'm awaiting a big order of paint to get started properly but I've got some of the metal/dark colours from previous kits so was able to get started on the undercarriage assembly.



I'm pleased how they've come out. I plan to wash some mud into the treads and some brake dust around the bottom near the wheels.

Looking forward to my paint arriving so I can crack on! Later posts will have better pictures, it's a bit dark in here and I can't find my flash!!

Great choice for a subject Adam. It looks like you're off to a good start. I am really looking forward to following along with your build. Thanks a bunch for including us in your build. Take care and thanks again

Jim

Excellent kit. Tamiya's kits are top of the line. You're going to really enjoy the build.
Joel

Keep it up boss! Looking good so far.

Couple of tiny updates, first off the engine pod thing:



I put a bit more red in the grey of the engine exhausts to make them look more "seasoned" and am quite pleased with it!

Finally here are the wheels all finished with the red tanks attached. They were fiddly to paint! Sorry it's on side/blue tacked to a duck!

Adam, I have both Tamiya Mossie kits and built this one you have a few years ago. It really is a thankfull and enjoyable kit. You will like it. Btw, I painted it in the same markings as you do.

Torsten

Thanks Torsten! I've just looked at a picture of the mossie you made and it looks great! Hope I do as good a job.

Hi Adam,
I have also built one of these, an awesome kit, you will enjoy it
A nice start, but little mistake which it is too late to do anything about, so don't worry about it; The wheels of the Mosquito were not handed, so the brake drums should both be on the Starboard side. I think that most get this wrong, so don't worry about it I just wanted to take the opportunity to let members know for the future

[quote... The wheels of the Mosquito were not handed, so the brake drums should both be on the Starboard side. I think that most get this wrong, so don't worry about it I just wanted to take the opportunity to let members know for the future [/quote]

I'm sure that you're correct, just seems somewhat unusual to me. Is this a usual practice for British aircraft, or just the Mosquito?

Joel

Ah nooo! What a pain. Oddly the wheels have a drum on one side and then an option to put another on the other side for the "B" variant of the model or just a wheel shape for the night fighter or standard camo mossie. I'll take a picture later and show you what I mean.

Big update, I've finished the wings.

Here is the engine pod and wheel assembly:



And one of the rockets, which were very fiddly!



Now, you may have notice one of the rockets looks wrong, it's easier to see here:



The little pin that holds the rail to the mounts is missing so I'm going to try and make something to replace it. I know it's a tiny detail but I want it to be right.

Finally here is the whole wing. I'm really pleased with the finish on the wing top, I used a much larger brush and only needed two layers so the rivet and panel details are much more obvious than the engine pods. The colour was a nice surprise too because it looked much too grey in the pot but has dried the correct greyish blue.



Next up is the cockpit so I'm having a little break. My hands are still incredibly shaky due to recent surgery so I can only do a few fiddly bits at a time!

Well, this is going to be interesting, Adam. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone paint the main-frame of an airplane in totally completed sub-assemblies like that.
It looks really nice, I just hope you don't require filling and sanding when you attach wings to fuse.

Adam, As Ben said, this is an unusual build method for sure. I'll be very interested to see how you would handle issues of fit that might require sanding and filling. Hopefully this won't be an issue. Looking forward to your next update.
Joel

It is an odd way to do things, but I'm still a bit shakey so not sure I'd be able to paint a straight line on the wing! I could have masked it I suppose.

I've been waiting for my copy of modelling the de havilland mosquito (osprey) for some pointers on the cockpit so sorry for the lack of updates.

Here is the finished cockpit, I bought a windsor and newton 000 paintbrush to do all the tiny details with!



And here it is with the tiny pilots in place. The instructions call for their jumpsuits to be grey which I'm not sure is 100% accurate.



I've started paiting the interior of the fuselage now so will soon be ready to put it all together!

Adam It is looking good and I will keep an eye out for your next post Have fun Phil