Repellent Mosquito - Correcting the Airfix 1/72 Mk.XVI

Initially celebrated, then quickly shunned after its release, the new 1/72 Mk.XVI Mosquito from Airfix has had its fair share of controversy.
That being said, it is still the best starting point for a late-war Mosquito...
Which is why we've decided to show you how to correct the more obvious issues with this otherwise decent kit.
Pick up your own kit and build along:
www.wheelswingsestore.com/air...
CMK 1/72 "Cookies"
www.wheelswingsestore.com/cmk...
Some of the tools featured in this build:
www.wheelswingsestore.com/pmr...
www.wheelswingsestore.com/ask...
www.wheelswingsestore.com/iwa...
#airfix #mosquito #raf #modelairplane

[@alanharris2799]

I built this model and all of my glass fitted correctly following the instructions so I don’t understand your comment about the crew entry hatch glass. Personally I thought this was a good kit with decent fit. I added the Eduard photo etch kit for the cockpit which added some detail that needed to be there with the amount of glass. Each to their own and if you enjoy the rivet counting, go for it but I like to just enjoy the creative process and thoroughly enjoyed my own build.

[@allandavis8201]

Well said, I completely agree. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇦

[@briankirwan6958]

Nice result on what looks like a nice new kit with a slight boo boo on the bomb bay door which is a relatively easy fix. Concisie and well explained video. Thanks

[@NQR-9000]

Very nice work on what is still a nice kit to my eyes (well, the "Lidar Induced Error" is less serious than on the 1/72 Blenheim!).
For my part, learning that the version was more a TT.35 than a B.XVI makes me really happy, as I like the high-speed-silver / dayglo-orange / yellow-black stripes scheme of the target tug far more than the lackluster ones offered by the box, which look like any other version of the Mossie (I guess I'll try to design and 3D print the winch turbine pod to make an operational one) ... But for those who want to build a B Mk.XVI anyway, this video will be useful.
PS : Me too, I like to flush the transparencies of my models : at small scales, it makes a lot of difference! For that I use the Alclad II Micromesh Polishing Cloths, that goes up to 12000 grade and are very durable. I beautifully flushed the cockpit windows of the 1/144 Revell B-2 with them... before stopping working on the kit when the far better AMP one was released.

[@FinsburyPhil]

After looing at a couple of interesting videos and articles about the current trend for detail obsession rather than just well engineered, accurate kits with good surface detail, I'm thinking that the best solution is for manufacturers to sell lovely base kits and then add-on packs for mid and super detailing. Also, it's much harder to do 'in-flight' versions than it should be - perhaps that should even be the default option? Scanning in the TT details on this one was easily avoidable as you say.

[@stuartwren5526]

Great detail and you really did your homework! A little weathering perhaps.? Remember Airfix are mid range in quality and you get what you pay for.

[@ModelWingsForever]

I’m not one who cares too much about model accuracy and I don’t use references. Mostly I build for fun

[@davidmay5612]

Excellent job and very well described.

[@JakeCole1453]

Did you see the documentary about the design of the kit by Airfix?

[@peterbramwell1873]

Very interesting video and I'll be correcting the bomb doors and fairing on mine.
Regarding the crew door, Airfx go this correct. The BXVI was pressurised and had an internal upwards hinged door to help seal the cockpit.

[@neillowe8230]

I've been a fan of Airfix since 1966-67 and my stash still reflects that fact but, creating a well engineered but detail flawed kit is unfortunately something that Airfix has been doing for quite a while now even with the wealth of reference material available. My fave clanger of Airfix's is the 2012 1/72 scale A-4B Skyhawk kit that used the USS Intrepid Museum's A-4B as reference. I've actually written a long "correction" article addressing this kit and it's "problems". The incorrectly shaped nose stands out upon opening the box. There are a lot of missing details along with incorrect/completely wrong panel lines and details, access panels that do not exist, access panels that every A-4 ever built has missing, anemic undersized stores. Correct is the plan view, MLG wells and dimensions along with great decals. The far older (from 1987 on) Fujimi 1/72 scale A-4's are superior to this kit even though they are a bit "fat" due to a reference drawing error. It's annoying when "accuracy" is considered detrimental, being referred to as "rivet counting". If accuracy is not your thing in this great hobby of ours then each to their own, but don't go putting down a well researched work that obviously endeavours to help, inform and instruct a modeller wishing to make an accurate model of this subject using this kit. Great vid BTW, nicely finished Mozzie, will use as a ref for mine.

[@normangebhardt]

You have a new subscriber

[@ploppysonofploppy6066]

Airfix's error (I'm assuming) is basing their kit on the TT35 at Hendon Museum. You show a picture of it in your video.
Your errors. The "spar cap" on the upper wing of the Mk35 was not present on the MkXVI. Also, the 4000lb conversion mosquito did not have the fuel tanks above the bomb bay. That space was taken up by a winch and supporting strut for the bomb.
Great analysis though.

[@alessiodecarolis]

Could be used Cristal Clear/Clearfix for the tail lights, after doing the holes & a plasticard base?

[@WheelsWingsTV]

You could, but I don't think it would give good results. Clear UV glue would be a better alternative.

[@brianashman9123]

enjoyed the movie , skill level is of the charts but sorry the attention to detail and historical accuracy although awesome drove me nutts lol

[@PeteCourtier]

How does it compare to the Tamiya Mosquito?
Nice video👍

[@WheelsWingsTV]

Thanks!
I would hesitate to compare this to the Tamiya kits for two reasons:
1 - I have yet to build the Tamiya kit myself (although I have a few stashed)
2 - Where the kits represent two distinct variations of the Mosquito, I don't think its fair to compare the two. As it stands, it takes more effort to covert the Tamiya kit into a Mk.XVI than it does the Airfix kit. For early Mossies, Tamiya is best. For late Mossies, Airfix is best (as of right now)

[@PeteCourtier]

@@WheelsWingsTV many thanks for the reply👍

[@2-Hands]

Who does the Resin sets for this kit???

[@WheelsWingsTV]

Freightdog

[@2-Hands]

@@WheelsWingsTV "Thanks".

[@mylesfinn66]

Well we got the recon version

[@randlerobbertson8792]

And I thought I was a sad aviation anorak 😙

[@chrismaxwell3244]

Airfix Lidar scanned a TT35 at Cosford thats all, so it does unfortunately have the incorrect bulged bomb bay doors. Apart from that everything else is fine so I don't think you know what you're talking about!!