Airfix 1/72 Mosquito B.XVI
Discussion
I finished this one recently, all built out of the box. I had been looking forward to this one as one of their newish kits and hearing lots of good things, but I was actually a bit disappointed. There are some very well thought out ideas, but the fit of some of the parts was frustrating for such a new kit. I felt like it was fighting me at times and I was glad just to get it done in the end. The detail level is excellent though, as were the instructions.
It really looks very good though, despite your frustrations.
Fairly standard for people to go mad with praise for any new Airfix kit. I built the Tamiya Mosquito, and as usual fit and finish was perfect. I realise the Tamiya versions might not be the same as Airfix at that scale, but if it’s just ‘a Mosquito’ you want, I’d see no reason to go elsewhere.
Fairly standard for people to go mad with praise for any new Airfix kit. I built the Tamiya Mosquito, and as usual fit and finish was perfect. I realise the Tamiya versions might not be the same as Airfix at that scale, but if it’s just ‘a Mosquito’ you want, I’d see no reason to go elsewhere.
dr_gn said:
It really looks very good though, despite your frustrations.
Fairly standard for people to go mad with praise for any new Airfix kit. I built the Tamiya Mosquito, and as usual fit and finish was perfect. I realise the Tamiya versions might not be the same as Airfix at that scale, but if it’s just ‘a Mosquito’ you want, I’d see no reason to go elsewhere.
Thanks.Fairly standard for people to go mad with praise for any new Airfix kit. I built the Tamiya Mosquito, and as usual fit and finish was perfect. I realise the Tamiya versions might not be the same as Airfix at that scale, but if it’s just ‘a Mosquito’ you want, I’d see no reason to go elsewhere.
That's interesting about the Tamiya one- i'm tempted to try their fighter version, as i want one in the collection and the Tamiya P47 i finished previously was a dream to put together.
Airfix apparently got their dimensions etc for their new Mosquito kit from the example on display at the RAF Museum. This is, indeed, a later series Mosquito which is fitted with the two-stage Merlin engines. So, on the face of it, they did their homework properly. Unfortunately, the preserved example is actually a TT35 - which is a BXVI converted for target towing. Part of the conversion process was installing a winch and its mechanism in the bomb bay - which necessitated changing the shape of the bomb bay doors. This has been faithfully reproduced by Airfix - except this wasn't appropriate for a BXVI.
It's not an insurmountable problem to fix - but a bit annoying.
It's not an insurmountable problem to fix - but a bit annoying.
Eric Mc said:
Airfix apparently got their dimensions etc for their new Mosquito kit from the example on display at the RAF Museum. This is, indeed, a later series Mosquito which is fitted with the two-stage Merlin engines. So, on the face of it, they did their homework properly. Unfortunately, the preserved example is actually a TT35 - which is a BXVI converted for target towing. Part of the conversion process was installing a winch and its mechanism in the bomb bay - which necessitated changing the shape of the bomb bay doors. This has been faithfully reproduced by Airfix - except this wasn't appropriate for a BXVI.
It's not an insurmountable problem to fix - but a bit annoying.
You could definitely get a job as consultant to Airfix for their next kit!It's not an insurmountable problem to fix - but a bit annoying.
You'd think the RAF Museum would have told them about the modification when they were measuring up.
Eric Mc said:
Airfix apparently got their dimensions etc for their new Mosquito kit from the example on display at the RAF Museum. This is, indeed, a later series Mosquito which is fitted with the two-stage Merlin engines. So, on the face of it, they did their homework properly. Unfortunately, the preserved example is actually a TT35 - which is a BXVI converted for target towing. Part of the conversion process was installing a winch and its mechanism in the bomb bay - which necessitated changing the shape of the bomb bay doors. This has been faithfully reproduced by Airfix - except this wasn't appropriate for a BXVI.
It's not an insurmountable problem to fix - but a bit annoying.
Didn't the whole process of that (all of the scanning etc) feature on one of the episodes of the Hornby/Airfix series a few years ago? I remember watching it and seem to recall that was for the new Mosquito.It's not an insurmountable problem to fix - but a bit annoying.
Squirrelofwoe said:
Didn't the whole process of that (all of the scanning etc) feature on one of the episodes of the Hornby/Airfix series a few years ago? I remember watching it and seem to recall that was for the new Mosquito.
Sounds familiar. Wasn't it the pet project of a new employee?Eric Mc said:
I'd be happy if they made it too tall - and with some hair.
They could do a set of Eric Mcs through the ages. The Mc 1, Mc II etc right up to Mc LXV... 
Simpo Two said:
Squirrelofwoe said:
Didn't the whole process of that (all of the scanning etc) feature on one of the episodes of the Hornby/Airfix series a few years ago? I remember watching it and seem to recall that was for the new Mosquito.
Sounds familiar. Wasn't it the pet project of a new employee?dr_gn said:
Errors with Airfix new toolings (and there are a few believe me), are documented in detail within days of release on forums like Britmodeller - it's not like it takes any specialist knowledge to find them.
You'd think they'd be picked up early, by releasing CAD pics of the finished model before they mould it. Some model railway manufacturers do this, basically letting the rivet counting public proof check their work before it gets into production.Yertis said:
dr_gn said:
Errors with Airfix new toolings (and there are a few believe me), are documented in detail within days of release on forums like Britmodeller - it's not like it takes any specialist knowledge to find them.
You'd think they'd be picked up early, by releasing CAD pics of the finished model before they mould it. Some model railway manufacturers do this, basically letting the rivet counting public proof check their work before it gets into production.On a sort of related note, I see that Arma Hobby are releasing CAD files with certain kits, allowing you to print super-detailed parts yourself. Maybe in future, any minor corrections could be done this way, for the people who are bothered by small inaccuracies.
A few Arma hobby 1:72 aircraft are on my list for Telford this year - they look very good, pain-free kits.
dr_gn said:
You’d think it would be an obvious thing to do, under the circumstances. In the past, Airfix have made a huge deal out of releasing new kits, and no doubt benefitted from the publicity that goes with the frenzied speculation that seems to go with it.
On a sort of related note, I see that Arma Hobby are releasing CAD files with certain kits, allowing you to print super-detailed parts yourself. Maybe in future, any minor corrections could be done this way, for the people who are bothered by small inaccuracies.
A few Arma hobby 1:72 aircraft are on my list for Telford this year - they look very good, pain-free kits.
I built the Arma hobby Wildcat and it was a superb little kit. Will definitely be trying more of theirs.On a sort of related note, I see that Arma Hobby are releasing CAD files with certain kits, allowing you to print super-detailed parts yourself. Maybe in future, any minor corrections could be done this way, for the people who are bothered by small inaccuracies.
A few Arma hobby 1:72 aircraft are on my list for Telford this year - they look very good, pain-free kits.
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