1/48 Tamiya Mosquito FB Mk. VI

by Frank Dargies

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Background

This is Tamiya's 1/48 Scale Mosquito FB Mk VI Fighter-Bomber representing the LA-E with the serial number HR 130.  It was used in 1944 by the 235 Squadron of the RAF Coastal Command.  The 235 Squadron flew Bristol-Beaufighters from 1940-1944 and converted to Mosquito VI's in June 1944.

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Its role continued to be primarily anti-shipping strikes in the North Sea and strikes against Norwegian coastal installations. 

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In September 1944 it moved north to join the "Banff Strike Wing" in the Scottish village Banff (Boyndie).   It's shared toll of enemy ships sunk or seriously damaged  and include the sinking of of the German U-843 on 9th  April 1945  and a part of destruction of four other U-boats in the same month.  On the 10th of July 1945 the Squadron was disbanded at Banff.

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The Squadron motto was: "Jaculamur Humi" ("We strike them to the ground") The LA-E was armed with four .303 inch Browning machine guns mounted in nose and four 20 mm Hispano cannons under the cockpit.  The bomb load was  two 250 lb. bombs (eventually increased to 500 lb.).  It was powered with two Rolls Royce Merlin Mk 25 with 1635 hp.  LA-E was painted overall Ocean Grey on upper surfaces, Sky under surfaces and Yellow spinners.

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The Model

Tamiya Mosquito FB Mk VI 1/4

Detail Sets:

  • AIRES Cockpit Set

  • AIRES Bomb Bay/Gun Bay Set

  • AIRES Rolls Royce Merlin Engine

  • MK Engine Set

  • CMK Exterior Set

  • VERLINDEN Front Gun Bay Set

  • MOSKIT Exhaust Pipes

  • PARAGON Wheel Set

  • AERO MASTER Decals "Mosquito Raiders Part 3"

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Colours from:
Humbrol, X-tra Color, Revell

Washing and Weathering:
Artist Oils, Pastel-Chalk

Scratch Built:
Fuselage Interior, Fuselage Access Door, Engine Nacelle and Engine Mounts,
Front and Tail Lights, CMK Engine Cooler modificated.

Airfield Accessories:
Parts from the  ICM Ground Crew Set and Revell Ground Support Equipment

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References:

  • Britische Luftwaffe, Daniel J. March    Tosa Verlag  ISBN 3-85492-474-7

  • Kindly Support from the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon

  • ......and lots of information from the Internet.

More Pictures and Information may be found on my website: www.dargies.de
Frank

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Photos and text © by Frank Dargies