After a couple of years of poor participation in our BTSK — Build The Same Kit — theme we decided to change things up and build the same kit manufacturer. In this case we chose Matchbox. For the uninitiated, Matchbox is notorious for deep trench-like panel lines, but I have to say most of my Matchbox kits seem to have few panel lines that warrant that observation. Ultimately as a theme it fared worse so we’ll be dropping that approach for the future, but it did afford me a reason to complete a model that had sit on the shelf of doom for a few years. Not because the kit was a problem, but due to a lack of decals.The Subject
I like the lines of the Mosquito and over the years have acquired kits that allow me to model the main variants. I’ve always wanted one of the PR birds after seeing photos and profiles of an overall blue aircraft with a bright red tail.
NS569 was a PR XVI Mossie assigned to the 8th Air Force. Specifically, the 654th Bomb Squadron. I chose this particular set of markings simply because they were different with the stenciling on the national markings and a name on the nose.
What is a PR XVI? Basically a pressurized B IX with standard flush bomb bay doors and 3 cameras installed.
Remember that the Mossie started as a PR aircraft, the PR I being the first model to operate in 1941.
The Model
The kit is PK-116, listed as a Mosquito NF 30 or B IX. Typical Matchbox black and brown plastic, overly thick canopy and details a bit heavy, if any. I sanded away most of the details because every photo of a Mossie I’ve got shows them to be a very clean aircraft.
My references, mainly the Squadron In-Action 127 and 139, indicated the kit represents a PR XVI better than the B IX, so I decided to make the necessary mods. It can also make the NF 30, but I’ll await a better kit for that variant.
The modifications were easy: Simply drill 1/8th inch holes at the locations at the forward end and behind the bomb bay for the 4 camera ports. I filled these with white glue, which dried clear and looked the part. The kit is otherwise finished as instructed for a B IX. There may be more modifications needed to be very accurate, like correcting the air intake under the forward nacelles, but until recently I didn’t know they were “off”.
For painting, I used Model Master PRU Blue enamel; Tamiya X-7 Red and XF-8 Blue acrylics. After a coat of Future I applied the markings. I used Ventura Decals V7256, a sheet I acquired of eBay and the decals went down well over the glossy surface of Future. Of note, they are thick and the carrier film covered the entire sheet. I trimmed them close and with Micro-Sol did not silver.
Other than sanding detail and cleaning up seams, not a difficult build. If I ever decide to do this one over, I hope to have a nicer and better detailed kit. Unfortunately the Mossie experts out there remain disappointed with no modern tooling of a two-stage Merlin Mossie, that I’m aware of. If I do the Matchbox kit again I’ll add cockpit detail, better props and improve the nacelles, plus a vac canopy to show off the details.
Thanks for reading.