Tamiya's 1/48 Mosquito B.IV/PR.IV

By Tom Cleaver

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The Airplane

The de Havilland Mosquito B.IV first entered service in late 1941, with 105 and 139 Squadrons, of 2nd Group, Bomber Command. There were not enough Mosquitos to go around when the units first went operational in early 1942, so the two squadrons shared aircraft until later that spring.

The Mosquito B.IV gained immortality with the arrival back at 105 Squadron of Wing Commander Hughie Edwards. The Australian pilot had won the Victoria Cross the previous year in a 105 Squadron Blenheim IV over Bremen. Under Edwards, the units began their low-level battle with the Gestapo, conducting pin-point daylight raids flown at altitudes so low the airplanes were returning with the bricks of chimney pots embedded in their wings. The destruction of Gestapo records buildings in the low countries, as well as strikes across the length and breadth of Germany itself gave luster to the legend of the Mosquito.

By the end of 1942, 105 and 139 Squadrons were transitioned into night operations alongside 109 Squadron, the first squadron flying precision attacks using "Oboe", supporting the Main Force bombers as pathfinders.

The Kit

The bomber Mosquito has always been the "classic" of this line, so when Tamiya released the fighter N.F.II/ F.B.VI earlier this year, I knew by the engineering which provided a separate nose that there would be a bomber version released soon. Since the bomber would not detract from sales of the fighter in the same way the release of the F4U-1D did the F4U-1, I hoped this release would happen before the end of the year. Here we are in late summer, a mere six months later, and already the bomber has joined the fighter on the stock shelves. Hurrah!

In reviewing this release, one need only concentrate on the fuselage ahead of the leading edge of the wing, since from there aft it is the same kit as that previously released for the N.F.II/F.B.VI.

This bomber Mosquito is an accurate representation of the 1:1 original. Other than perhaps putting in the electrical wiring on the sides of the cockpit, everything is here that is necessary for a well-detailed interior. I particularly liked the way the canopy was molded, with separate side panels for the "teardrop" windows. Perhaps we will see the Mossie bomber released in later versions which used bulged panels instead of the teardrops, which would allow one to model the Canadian-built B.XX. The kit also includes a full bomb bay, with racks for four 250-lb bombs as carried by the B.IV. Alternatively, one can mount the three cameras provided, and do the kit as the P.R.IV.

Markings are provided for a 105 Squadron daylight bomber; a famous 109 Squadron night bomber - "Grim Reaper"; and a 1st PRU machine from 540 Squadron. These are the thick Tamiya decals, and include all the stenciling. I have made the Mosquito bomber using the kit-supplied decals, and this can be done by softening the decals with Micro-Sol, followed by Super-Sol to get them into the panel lines, and a final coat of Solvaset to melt them into the paint. Alternatively, there is an Aeromaster sheet, "Mossy Collection Part 2" 48-499, which includes DK338/GB-P from 105 Squadron and DZ637/P3-C from 692 Squadron, both B.IVs. ADS Decals are also soon to release a Mosquito sheet for the bomber.

Overall

In addition to being one of the most famous aircraft used by any air force in the Second World War, the Mosquito is also one of the best-looking piston-engine twins to ever fly. It'll look great sitting on your shelves in whatever markings you choose to do it in. Highly recommended.