Bruce13

Once again, NO critisim on this excellent build, just help and advise for prospective builders. I couldn't hope to reach the excellent detail standards of Phil, and I'm using his work as reference. I thought this forum was for sharing information! Regrettably, Phil, I was (Quote) 'confusing (you) with someone who actually gives a S**t!!!!' Regards, Bruce

Hi Phil, It's been some time since I've accessed this thread, and I'm truely impressed with your creation. Your standards of detail are impressive. As I mentioned earlier, I am building this version of this Mosquito, only not as quickly as I would like! I have been using your detail work to improve my own build, for which I thank you. I have previously mentioned some of the errors in the basic Airfix instructions and 'as supplied' build, but can I also mention some of the errors in this conversion; not as criticism of your build, but as advise/information to prospective builders. The underside 'ID' lights had coloured bulbs, not lenses (this applies to all Mosquito builds). The TR33 (with folding wings) did not have landing lights on underside of wings (the prototype had a leading edge landing light, but fixed wing). The U/C door retraction rollers on U/C legs were different to the standard rollers, fatter and shorter than standard (the Lockheed oleos being much slimmer than the basic design). The under fuslage door had rounded corners and was set futher back than the kit instructions. The 'lights' on the trailing edge of the wings are in the basic kit, correct, with no visible lens, referred to as resin lamps. Descrete (formation) lamps only visible from directly behind. The TR33 had smaller wheels not just tyres,(as supplied in kit) the Airfix wheels can be reduced by turning down by 1mm (2mm dia) of both drum and brakeplate to give a more correct appearance. The conversion kit supplied radar installation is very good, but unfortunately incorrect for a TR33, it is if fact a TR37 installation. TR33; AR MkXV 'ASH'; An image of my version of this installation: Again, no critisim of your excellent build, just to help/advise to prospective builders. Only the dire Mosquito enthusiast (like me) would recognise these differences. I hope to be listing some of my build in the near future and welcome comments and critisism. Regards, Bruce.

Beautiful, OOB, built and finished model of this magnificent aircraft with wonderful photogaphic presentation. Can I point out to prospective builders of this kit some errors in the basic build (Airfix instructions). HX922 (EG-F) had the needle props and no aerial mast (whip aerial on cockpit is correct). There are a lot of other errors, or ommissins (Airfix) but not beyond the average modeller to correct if wanting to improve on basic OOB build.

Hi Phil, once again I have to complement you on you detail in the U/C bay detail. I shall be using your information in my build. Regarding the cockpit radar installation, this conversion has detailed an nice version of the Mk XIII radar installation as fitted to the TR37 sea mosquito. The TR33 had the Mk XV installation. I refer to: Modellers Data File 1, pg 105, and photos on pg 299, de Haviland Mosquito, an illustrated history, vol. 2. The TR37 version, stowed, is shown on pg 301. Again, this is no critisim, but as a Mosquito enthuisat, just trying to get the information correct. On that subject, the sea Mosquitos had smaller wheels, the Alleycat conversion provides smaller tyres, utillising the standard wheels? Looking at the photos, the 'wheels' are smaller, I'm looking at reducing the Airfix versions. I'll keep you posted. Exellent work... Regards, Bruce.

Hi Phil, Again, impressed with you detail work on this build, I'll be using this as a reference for my build, still in early stage. I note you are intending to use the Cammet additions for the engine panel fastenings. I'm sure that you will be aware, but for other potential modellers of this conversion following this thread, can I mention that the Airfix engine covers are incorrect; in that the bottom edge of the cover did not have retained (Dzus) fastenings, just simple screw heads. Also the vents on the Airfix offering are incorrect and need modifying, see pic; Taking into account your problems in fitting the alternate nose, I've modified it by cutting out the access panels so that adjustment can be made on the panel horizontal joint line. This will allow having removeable panels with some internal detail of the radar 'bomb' installation. For further reference I been using: de Havilland Mosquito, An Illustrated History, Vol. 2 (Ian Thirsk) pages 293-311 with lots of photos of this type. Of particular interest; the bottom access door should have rounded corners, not as the conversion kit, and set further back than instructed. (allowing the front ID light to be correctly positioned, just behind the bomb bay, as Mk VI) The cockpit radar installation also appears to be incorrect in this conversion, from the photos? I'm working on this modification and will update. This is of no critisism of your excellent work, only of advise to prosective builders. If anyone would like additional tips on the basic large mosquito build, corrections and improvement; then please visit: http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af239/Brucelr/Mosquito%20Build/ Regards, Bruce.

Hi B, I still use 10 & 12 BA nuts, even smaller! No complaints (yet!)

Hi Phil, Thanks for the reply. I'm realy impressed with your U/C bay detail and will be trying to emulate it in my next build. I was goiing to mention the U/C jack mountings, guessed you would know that from your attention to detail. I had to retro fit the tubes after the U/C was complete. I note you have assembled the U/C legs with the joints flexible (not glued) as per Airfix instructions. This would be fine if the other joints in the assembly were flexible, ie top joints, making the U/C retractable. This isn't possible (unless you propose further modifications) Can I suggest that once assembled the joints are 'fixed' (a drop of CA), as the structure is rather weak. For the U/C door rear retraction springs, I used 20mm lengths of 8BA thread (see pic), but have since found a useful source; springs recovered from oil seals, which appear ideal and will be using on my next build. Can I also mention the U/C doors, a very poor offering from Airfix with no detail on the inside, essential at this scale. I modified mine (see pic) but Paragon have a set of the later type. Unfortunately Paragon have gone out of production and they are now scarce I'll be following your build with interest. Regards, Bruce http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af239/Brucelr/Mosquito%20Build/P9270423.jpg http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af239/Brucelr/Mosquito%20Build/P8270027.jpg

Hi Phil I've just joined this site, so you will forgive me if some of my comments are to late. Having recently finished my first build of this awesome kit, (10 mths in the build). I'm about to start a second with the TR Mk33 conversion. Unfortunately some parts were missing from the conversion set, so I'm waiting for replacements. Your build reference will be of great help to me. I'm impressed with the standard of finishing and effects you have produced, the cockpit is exceptional, with unfortunately one error, not yours but Airfix. That is the 'motorcycle' chain fitted to the elevator control pulley. The elevator control is by cable. The elevator trim control has a chain, but that is covered by a fairing, and can't be seen. I mention this for future modellers. With reference to the fuselage doors, as the TR 33 was a modification of the Mk VI, it retained the bomb capibility, and the two sets of doors should be fitted, not the NF one piece version. The underside ID lights should be in the same configuration as the bombers and PR versions, with the enlarged bomb bay 3 lights together at the rear. The small fairing fitted to the starboard side of the fuselage is a fuel cooler, all the fuel and hydraulic 'plumbing' was on the right. This should have inlet & outlet ports. I'm submitting these comments for information, not criticism, you are making an excellent build, and I'll be following with interest. Regards, Bruce.