Monogram De Havilland Mosquito FB VI-Silver wings!

[keavdog]

Not sure if you'll be able to locate but this sheet looks like everything you need
https://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/ ... 72/00.shtm

[Gary Brantley]

Yes sir, that is the Holy Grail I'm after! Nobody has it in stock that I've found, and that's the set that I asked Isradecals to re-release, to no avail thus far. But, that is the one I need!

[jkim]

Very cool project! I agree that the scheme is very striking! I could help you out with paint masks for the roundels but bordered markings are always a bit fiddly with masks. Making the masks themselves is pretty easy but I would need exact measurements (in inches or mm) to produce the masks. I'm afraid the wing stencils might be too small for the cutter.

[Gary Brantley]

Thank you for that offer, John! Please allow me to see what I can come up with; I may sure take you up on that a lil' further on down the road.

I have made custom decals before, for my CSAF Mirage F.1. I've been thinking along those lines again, if for nothing else than those white stencils. I believe I could recreate them with a bit of effort.

Almost all of the markings on this bird were made at home. But, I don't have a working printer at present, might need to "sub" that job out!





I've just left the study where I did make some more progress on this model. So, it's a good chance it will be finished; how much it will resemble my "target" scheme is debatable...

[Stikpusher]

Gary, I always get a kick out of seeing your Mirage build. The markings are truly imaginative and unique!

[jkim]

Let me know Gary... happy to help, if I can. The star markings should not be a problem to produce as masks. The graphic from the link provided by keavdog has sufficient resolution to trace the star markings in CAD. All I would need to know is how big the stars would be on the model in inches (or mm).


The white stencils MIGHT be possible using masks but it's hard to tell without dimensions. And as far as I know, it's not possible to print white decals without an ALPS printer. Laserjets and inkjets don't print white.

[Gary Brantley]

Gary, I always get a kick out of seeing your Mirage build. The markings are truly imaginative and unique!

Thanks so much, Carlos! I'm happy that you like that model. Your comments mean a lot to me!

[Gary Brantley]

Okay folks, I've got a little progress to report. I've been working on the odd bits sporadically and what do you know, pretty soon I'll have to start putting it all together. Still no news of the decals, but it's onward through the fog! Some evidence:

a lot of the parts together:



main wheels/tires:



main landing gear:



main gear doors:



instrument panel:



pair o' bombs:



props so far:



seats:



aircrew:



control stick:



Since I plan on using the aircrew figures to populate the sparsely detailed and inaccurate cockpit, I didn't spend too much time on those parts. The crew figures will cover most of the seats, so I sort of hurriedly painted those. The harnesses, what can be seen of them, do look pretty bad-may need to revisit those. And I need to spray much more flat white on those two guys before I start glazing them with paint.

The Mosquitos that Israel acquired were already quite war-weary and maintenance was a continuing problem for the Israeli ground crews. I imagine the planes looked very "used" by the time they entered IDF service. With that thought in mind, I may have gone too far with the weathering inside the main gear doors. But, maybe not? Anyway, here's where the IDF Mossie stands, almost ready to glue together! Thanks for your interest, my friends!

[Stikpusher]

Looking good Gary! I do like your detail painting work. That IP looks sweet! Particularly for a kit from the mid 60's.

Now cue up 633 Squadron for some motivation and keep on building!

[Gary Brantley]

Thanks so much, Carlos! Lol, the painting always looks better before taking pics. Every little flaw looks huge! The IP is the result of a goof up, but still looks presentable. The technique calls for flat white first, follwed by a gloss clear, then the dark color (black or gray). Then, the black is gradually removed using a small brush very lightly dampened with paint thinner. Working carefully, one can rub away the black paint on the raised details. Well, I forgot the gloss coat between the white and black. When I realized that, I thought I would remove all the paint and start over. I moistened a cotton bud with Mr. Color Leveling Thinner (I love that stuff!) and started rubbing away. But, as the black came off, it did leave the white even without the clear coat between so I went with that. Knowing how little might be seen through the closed canopy, I felt it was okay. Thanks for the comment, man!

Man, I haven't seen 633 Squadron in years! I loved that movie as a kid!