Tamiya 1/72 Mosquito NF.XII/XVII

Ninety-seven NF Mk IIs were upgraded with 3.3 GHz frequency, low-SHF-band AI Mk VIII radar and these were designated NF Mk XII. The NF Mk XIII, of which 270 were built, was the production equivalent of the Mk XII conversions. These "centimetric" radar sets were mounted in a solid "thimble" (Mk XII / XIII) or universal "bull nose" (Mk XVII / XIX) radome, which required the machine guns to be dispensed with. Four F Mk XVs were converted to the NF Mk XV. These were fitted with AI Mk VIII in a "thimble" radome, and the .303 Brownings were moved into a gun pack fitted under the forward fuselage.[177]

NF Mk XVII was the designation for 99 NF Mk II conversions, with single-stage Merlin 21, 22, or 23 engines, but British AI.X (US SCR-720) radar.

Back in the late 90s, Tamiya released a series of 1/48 Mosquitos. A few years later, these were all issued in 1/72 scale as well and remain a popular kit. This is the late war night fighter with the 'bull nose'. It differs from the other Tamiya Mosquito kits by having a separate sprue for the nose section, that includes the cockpit differences and a bomb bay insert that has shell ejection chutes. The original sprues contain both the pointed and paddle blade props.

The additional sprues bag also includes the fighter type canopy with separate side glass pieces. You will need to open some holes in the wing pieces for the attachment of the wing slipper tanks and tip antennas. You can leave off the tanks if you wish. Note that for the canopy side pieces, there are optional sections depending on which of the markings options you choose to build. This is also true of the wing antennas as both options are not the same in this regard so you will need to determine which option you are going to do fairly early in the build process if using the kit markings.

The two markings options both have medium sea grey/dark green upper surfaces. The box art plane has a black underside and is from the Fighter Interception Unit. The other has medium sea grey undersides and is with 410 Squadron. As usual, all the color references are in Tamiya paint numbers. The decal sheet is nicely printed and includes seat harness and instrument panel decals as well as stencils and other markings.   

I built a Tamiya Mk.VI and found it to be a pleasant experience. Fit is excellent and I expect this one to be just as nice a build.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito#Night_fighters

April 2022

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