Hi guys, does anyone have any references for the civilianised Mosquitos used in the Bendix / Reno races and such like? Or any other civilian liveries? I am particularly after photographs if possible.

Thanks

Hi there

I've got a pic of Dianna Bixby's Mk XXVI - complete with shark's mouths - if that's of interest?

All the best

Rowan

The prettiest ones were those from Spartan Air Service.

Do a Google search for that outfit, you should find some pictures!

Thanks guys. I'd like to see your pic please Merlin!! Very limited success with the Google search though. No pictures yet, just a few text references.

Keep them coming please!!

Here you go...



I don't have any details of the colours, but it's a heck of a paint-job!

All the best

Rowan

Wow!!! That's Huntress 2! Great picture. I tried to get pictures of her, but their website only shows Huntress 3 (a P51). Does anyone know the colours? I guess they're red and white.

Thanks Rowan.

Keep 'em coming!!

Hi again

I don't think it's as simple as "red and white". If the sharks' teeth are white, the surrounding colour must be darker - pale blue or cream? Also, there a lighter trim-line to the dark colour on the nose and wings.

I'll try to do some more detailed scans to show this.

All the best

Rowan

Yeah, I see what you mean. If only one of our American collegues had seen Huntress, or had been to the Huntress exhibitions

Ah well..........

Thanks anyway.

Little known fact, but believe it or not, Mosquitos were operated as 'Civilian' Aircraft during WWII. The reason was very interesting, they would fly to Sweden and pick up crates of ball-bearings (a very valuable commodity in those days). Sweden was a neutral state, therefore it would not accept military transports. On more than one occasion, Interned Allied Aircrews (who had landed in Sweden rather than face German P.O.W. camps) were brought back as 'passengers' .. The aircraft were camo'ed but painted with civilian registrations and 'operated' by B.O.A.C... The choice of the Mosquito was logical, it could use its high-operational ceiling and high speed to avoid German aircraft while overflying enemy territory.... Jim

Here are some images of the OOP Aeromaster 48-043 sheet featuring BOAC Mosquitos...

Great stuff, thanks guys. Anyone got anything else??

Hi again

Here are a couple of fresh scans which (hopefully) show a bit more detail:





I'm guessing the sharksmouths are black, red and white but, interestingly, they also seem to have soft-edged (red?) "lips".

All the best

Rowan

I see what you mean. The soft edge is only around the nose one though. I am tempted to have a go at this, as it will probably mean using decal film which I've never used before. i've got an old Monogram Mossie I could try first. It won't be quick though. Thanks again Rowan. By the way, where did you find these pictures?

Hi again

I think it is on the tank - certainly the lower "lip", but not as heavily applied.

The pic's credited to P. Bowers in an old Airlife book about Shark's Teeth Nose Art.

All the best

Rowan

Here, color:

Nice one Kencelot!

Hunter II certainly was a beautiful aircraft. We do need to be a little careful with that pic though, because it looks like a tinted B&W photo.

I've done a brief search on the net and that's the only one I've come across too. The search goes on... there must be more pics out there.

All the best

Rowan

I think you're right. I have just done a comparison between a b&w photo and the colour one. I suppose they could both be genuine, taken at about the same time ( compare the rainwater etc). Still looks great though doesn't she?

Ok, here's a painting of a Spartan Air Service Mossie.


Best scheme ever!!!

Great stuff guys, plenty of food for thought.