Aviaeology AOD720011: Canadians in Coastal Command #3

PRICE:

CDN$8.89 plus shipping

UNITS:

404 Squadron

REVIEW &
PHOTOS :

Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

Also available in 1/48 and 1/24

This latest sheet from Aviaeology is on the Mosquitos of 404 Squadron. This unit did not get rocket equipped Mossie FB .VIs until the last months of the war. Standard rocket projectile mounts meant that the aircraft could not use the long range wing tanks. As the Banff wing often operated off the coast of Norway, this was not acceptable as it severely limited their range. As a result, the unit developed new rocket rails and tanks so that the range was back to normal. These rails were not like the standard ones and Aviaeology has provided full plans so that the modeler can duplicate these unique mounts.

The sheet offers options for five aircraft, with squadron code, insignia, and data markings for one. These planes were mostly painted in the standard Night Fighter scheme with at least one in an ad hoc scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky. All of this is fully documented in the instructions, which are really a six page booklet that includes a number of photos of both aircraft as well as a detailed markings placement guide. There doesn't seem to be a recommended kit (though I could have missed it), but in this scale, Hasegawa is probably the one most will choose. There are others out there that can also be used if one has one already. The decals themselves are superbly printed; clear and crisply done with no registration problems. As you can see, the code letters have the white outlines printed separately to prevent registration issues.

Overall, it is an excellent new sheet and provides one with something a bit less the norm.

June 2010

My thanks to www.aviaeology.com for the review sheet. You can get yours direct.

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