1/48 Airfix DH Mosquito PR Mk XVI

 NS502/M

by Cyril Worley

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This is an old AIRFIX kit which has been on the market for quite some time. It has been built to represent a PR aircraft Mk XVI serialed NS502/M which belonged to No. 544 Squadron and was based at Benson up to nearly the end of 1945, it was later passed on to the Fleet Air Arm and eventually struck off charge on 07/11/1947.

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The Merlin engines supplied in the kit have been replaced by two stage Merlins. These are so well done that you only need to cut off the old engines  and replace with the new ones. So has the vac form canopy to include the observation domes at the top and at the sides. These items came from Paragon Designs.

The fighter bomber nose of the Mk VI, as supplied in the kit, has been replaced by a glazed nose from a Monogram Mk IV bomber which fitted perfectly. So did the slipper tanks under the wings.

At the tail end, the rudder and stabilizers have been detached from the model and set at a more realistic angle.

An in flight photo of NS502/M, with two shots of the model in B/W below.

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The roundels on the wings came from the decal sheet supplied in the kit, while the rest came from the spares box.

Lastly it has been given a coat of Testors PR Blue, weathered and given a final coat of Testors matt lacquer.

Cyril

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Photos and text © by Cyril Worley