DH MOSQUITO MK II/VI/XVIII

1:72 Airfix No.03019 (Series 3/Skill 2) De Havilland Mosquito Mk.II/VI/XVIII Aircraft History: The DH.98 Mosquito evolved in a number of distinct but related families of fighter, fighter-bomber, strike and reconnaissance variants. The first production batch of 50 ordered for the RAF in 1940 included a Mk.II two-seat fighter prototype, having an armament of four 0.303-in machine guns in the nose and four 20-mm cannon in the under fuselage. Production of the Mk.II totalled 589 and most were fitted with radar and given a black overall finish to serve as night fighters. For 23 Sqn, 25 Mk II special intruders had extra fuel and no radar. The success of the Mk. II as a day and night fighter led to the evolution during 1942, of the fighter-bomber or intruder version to make offensive sweeps across the Channel and over occupied Europe. This became the (FB) Mk.VI which was basically a Mk.II without radar and with provision to carry two short-finned bombs behind the cannon in the fuselage and one bomb under each wing. The underwing racks basically distinguished the Mk.VI from the Mk.II. The RAAF received 38 from British production and the Australian factory built 178 which were designated (FB) Mk.40 in RAAF service. Experience with the Mk.VI's serving in the convoy escort role with squadrons of RAF coastal command led to a proposal to fit a six-pounder gun in a special anti-shipping version. A Molins 57-mm gun was fitted in the fuselage of a Mk.VI in April 1943, taking the place of the 20-mm cannon battery. Additional fuel tanks were fitted in the fuselage to extend the range over the Bay of Biscay, and extra armour protection was fitted around the cockpit and engines to provide protection during attacks on heavily armed U-Boats. 27 Mk.VI airframes were converted to Mk.XVIII and served primarily with Nos. 248 & 254 squadrons from late 1943 onwards. Kit Parts: Molded in a light blue-grey plastic most of the parts are attached to one of a number of small sprues or float in the box. The outside of the box says that there are 97 parts; three versions and a number of Humbrol paints are needed. The model dimensions when finished are apparently 171 mm x 228 mm - it's hard to tell which is length and which span! Presumably in that order. The parts are typical of Airfix, a little on the hard side and brittle. There is virtually no flash although a couple of spots could do with a quick running over by a sharp blade, but there are a few ejector pin stubs and marks on the insides of some parts. All the panel lines and surface detail is raised and there are of course plenty of rivets! A small sprue contains the one-piece canopy and a couple of underwing lights. The canopy is reasonably clear but a bit distorted as you would expect - it is also scratched from just being loose in the box.