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BOAC Mosquito FB. Mk. VI

1/72 Decals by Liveries Unlimited

 

 

  

S u m m a r y

Catalogue Number:

AGA7-014

Scale:

1/72

Contents and Media:

1 x full decal sheet, 1 x colour instruction sheet

Price:

US$6.95

Review Type:

First Look

Advantages:

3 different schemes; lovely depiction of silver outlined regitration letters; interesting crossover subject for civil and military aircraft modellers; helpful and interesting colour instructions with FS colour matches; great donor model available (Tamiya 1/72 scale)

Disadvantages:

No model paint suggestions on instructions

Recommendation:

Highly Recommended to both military and civil aircraft modellers

 

Reviewed by Brett Green

 

F i r s t   L o o k


If you are looking for a very different finish for your 1/72 scale Mosquito FB.VI, this new decal sheet from Liveries Unlimited might be for you.

This new release covers three schemes for two civil Mosquitos operated by the British airline BOAC from Scotland to Stockholm between April 1943 and November 1944. BOAC operated ten Mosquitos, ferrying diplomatic staff and ball bearings on this route.

The three aircraft are finished in the FAA / Coastal Command "Temperate Sea Scheme" of Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey on the upper surfaces and Sky on lower surfaces. One aircraft was later finished in black undersides. Alternate registration letters are supplied for this option.

One small decal sheet is packed with the markings for all three options. These markings are simple but striking. Large registration letters are supplied for upper and lower wings, and small letters for the fuselage sides. National markings are quite unique - red, white and blue horizontal stripes for fuselage sides, blue and red stripes for the upper wing and an early-style fin flash. The horizontal stripes replace standard wartime RAF roundels.

Registration of all the decals is perfect on my sample. Carrier film looks very thin. The real highlight of the sheet is the beautiful silver outline to all the registration letters. Sparing use of flat varnish should maintain this impressive silver-outlined finish.

Liveries Unlimited instructions are also very good. They are printed on glossy, half letter size paper. Side, top and bottom views are shown in full colour. Some of the pictures are small but they are adequate to demonstrate the colour schemes and decal placement due to the lack of detail markings on the subject aircraft. The colour page includes a colour key with references to matching Federal Standard colours, but there are no suggestions for matching model paints. I found the historical, technical and colour notes provided with the instructions to be interesting and helpful.

Tamiya's new Mosquito FB.VI is one of the best 1/72 scale models I have ever seen - a terrific donor kit for these high quality decals. However, the decals will also suit Hasegawa or Airfix FB.VI kits.

There may be a gulf between modellers of military and civil aircraft, but this decal sheet offers several interesting subjects that will be attractive to both camps

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Liveries Unlimited for the review sample.

Review and Image Copyright © 2000 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 June, 2000
Last updated 20 July, 2003

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