strengthening spar on Mosquito fuselage

[Herman]

plodding along with the Airfix Mosquito kit..noticed that alot of the mosquito images that I have seen show a spar on the fusalage?(nr wings).

The kit does not provide this..I would like to put one on..can anyone help ..do I have to make one?

 

The colour Sky type s..anyone know if it is available? or a humbrol mixing ratio?

 

Thanks if anyone can help..

[PhilB]

Morning.

 

If you are referring to the raised area that runs around the top of the fuse at the wing trailing edge then its certainly molded on the old 1/32 Revell kit and is also there on all the plans that I've seen.

As to why its not on the Airfix kit then I simply don't know.

To replicate it I would get some plastic tube such as Evergreen which is pretty soft cut it in half lengthways (prolly be easier to sand it) then sand the flat edge leaving the rounded profile until its the correct profile and wrap it around the fuse.

 

As regards what or what is not Sky then that is the great debate!

I am currently building a Hurricane and this was a separate thread on the subject of Sky: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=30919

 

I wouldn't bother with humbrol.

Get some White Ensign "Sky type S". If you thinks its a bit dark for you then lighten it to what you feel looks right.

 

 

Phil

[branchline]

Hi Herman, are you talking about the stiffener running lengthwise along the right-hand side of the fuselage just below and aft of the trailing edge of the wing or the two vertical straps on either side under the wing root that run up from the fore and aft edges of the bomb/cannon breach access doors or something else again?

 

Rgds Brent

Edited January 17, 2011 by branchline

[Monty Python]

Herman

 

According to all the plans that I have, the strengthening strip works out in 1/24 scale to 4mm wide, the rear edge is 44mm from the wing trailing edge.

 

Regarding the Sky type 's'. Totally agree with Phil. Forget Humbrol, WEM is the way to go.

 

HTH

Chris

Edited January 18, 2011 by Monty Python

[Herman]

Morning.

 

If you are referring to the raised area that runs around the top of the fuse at the wing trailing edge then its certainly molded on the old 1/32 Revell kit and is also there on all the plans that I've seen.

As to why its not on the Airfix kit then I simply don't know.

To replicate it I would get some plastic tube such as Evergreen which is pretty soft cut it in half lengthways (prolly be easier to sand it) then sand the flat edge leaving the rounded profile until its the correct profile and wrap it around the fuse.

 

As regards what or what is not Sky then that is the great debate!

I am currently building a Hurricane and this was a separate thread on the subject of Sky: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=30919

 

I wouldn't bother with humbrol.

Get some White Ensign "Sky type S". If you thinks its a bit dark for you then lighten it to what you feel looks right.

 

 

Phil

Thanks Phill for the information .

[Herman]

Morning.

 

If you are referring to the raised area that runs around the top of the fuse at the wing trailing edge then its certainly molded on the old 1/32 Revell kit and is also there on all the plans that I've seen.

As to why its not on the Airfix kit then I simply don't know.

To replicate it I would get some plastic tube such as Evergreen which is pretty soft cut it in half lengthways (prolly be easier to sand it) then sand the flat edge leaving the rounded profile until its the correct profile and wrap it around the fuse.

 

As regards what or what is not Sky then that is the great debate!

I am currently building a Hurricane and this was a separate thread on the subject of Sky: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=30919

 

I wouldn't bother with humbrol.

Get some White Ensign "Sky type S". If you thinks its a bit dark for you then lighten it to what you feel looks right.

 

 

Phil

Thanks Phil, another step closer!

[Herman]

Hi Herman, are you talking about the stiffener running lengthwise along the right-hand side of the fuselage just below and aft of the trailing edge of the wing or the two vertical straps on either side under the wing root that run up from the fore and aft edges of the bomb/cannon breach access doors or something else again?

 

Rgds Brent

Thanks Brent, the one that runs up (vertically)the fusalage nr wing tips.

[Herman]

Herman

 

According to all the plans that I have, the strengthening strip works out in 1/24 scale to 4mm wide, the rear edge is 44mm from the wing trailing edge.

 

Regarding the Sky type 's'. Totally agree with Phil. Forget Humbrol, WEM is the way to go.

 

HTH

Chris

Thanks Chris..you are a star for letting me know the scale etc, much appreciated, sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

I dont suppose you know if the spar had visible bolts/rivets? why was it added to later mossies? Thanks again.

[Monty Python]

Thanks Chris..you are a star for letting me know the scale etc, much appreciated, sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

I dont suppose you know if the spar had visible bolts/rivets? why was it added to later mossies? Thanks again.

 

Herman

 

No bolts or rivets were showing on the strengthening strip. Also, the strip was not only applied to late marks. AFAIK, all FB.VI's had it.

 

HTH

Chris

[Edgar Brooks]

I'm still not sure what area you're talking about, but, if it's the (alleged) "raised strip" over the fuselage, just forward of the t/e of the wing, be aware that it wasn't always there, in fact it's possible to find dozens of photographs without even a hint of it. That is probably why Airfix didn't include it, and I should also point out that it didn't (doesn't) appear in the original drawings, done for Model Aeronautical Press, back around 1960, when they still had many original airframes to look at. Looking at photos, where it is visible, I'd estimate it to be about the thickness of a piece of paper, in 1/24 scale.

Being wooden, most of the Mosquito was glued together, with large flat sheets (as on the wings) held down, as well, by hundreds of countersunk screws, with any dimples filled with Titanine stopper, then sanded smooth. The fuselage halves were covered in strips of wood, laid at a 45 degree angle, then clamped in place, while the glue dried; small holes were drilled in the wood, to allow any excess glue to ooze out, while under pressure.

When assembled, the areas were covered with Madapolam (a high-quality Egyptian cotton,) or Irish linen (on areas like the wing l/e,) which was pulled tight, by hand, while (at least) two coats of red, or clear, dope were brushed on, again by hand. This pulling and doping process was a tricky operation, since there had to be no creases, and, if there was the slightest possibility of a raised area (like the strengthening band, if it wasn't fitted accurately,) it would show up very easily. Two, or four, coats of silver followed, then the camouflage colours, so perhaps you'll understand why we get a mite peeved, when modellers talk of pre-shading that particular airframe.

Edgar

[PhilB]

Thanks for the information Edgar, terrific as usual!

It is molded on the old Revell 1/32 and is on the plans in the SAM Mosquito FBVI Aviation Guide by Dave Brown.

I think it falls into the usual scenario of construction by many different manufacturers during wartime.

The usual answer is if its on an aircraft you are building in an original photo then put it on, if not don't.

Hmmm....Plans, plans and plans.

 

Thanks again,

 

Phil

[Herman]

I'm still not sure what area you're talking about, but, if it's the (alleged) "raised strip" over the fuselage, just forward of the t/e of the wing, be aware that it wasn't always there, in fact it's possible to find dozens of photographs without even a hint of it. That is probably why Airfix didn't include it, and I should also point out that it didn't (doesn't) appear in the original drawings, done for Model Aeronautical Press, back around 1960, when they still had many original airframes to look at. Looking at photos, where it is visible, I'd estimate it to be about the thickness of a piece of paper, in 1/24 scale.

Being wooden, most of the Mosquito was glued together, with large flat sheets (as on the wings) held down, as well, by hundreds of countersunk screws, with any dimples filled with Titanine stopper, then sanded smooth. The fuselage halves were covered in strips of wood, laid at a 45 degree angle, then clamped in place, while the glue dried; small holes were drilled in the wood, to allow any excess glue to ooze out, while under pressure.

When assembled, the areas were covered with Madapolam (a high-quality Egyptian cotton,) or Irish linen (on areas like the wing l/e,) which was pulled tight, by hand, while (at least) two coats of red, or clear, dope were brushed on, again by hand. This pulling and doping process was a tricky operation, since there had to be no creases, and, if there was the slightest possibility of a raised area (like the strengthening band, if it wasn't fitted accurately,) it would show up very easily. Two, or four, coats of silver followed, then the camouflage colours, so perhaps you'll understand why we get a mite peeved, when modellers talk of pre-shading that particular airframe.

Edgar

Thanks again Edgar, I appreciate your imput and interesting information, more to ponder..thanks again.