Kit #804 DeHavilland Mosquito Build

[Arlo DiPasquale]

I started this build a little while ago, but for some reason, never got around to taking build pictures. I just finished the frames, and am planning to cover it with the silkspan tissue supplied in the kit. It will be built for display, not U-Control flying. More pictures to come later.

[Pauli72]

Best of luck on this RAF Mosquito build Arlo. If it turns out as good as your Fokker DR 1 did, I'm sure it will be stunning.

I know this kit has been discontinued for some time. Did you buy it on eBay?

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Yes, I did purchase it on eBay about 3 months ago. I wanted to build this kit for a while, and spent a long time looking for a better deal on a Mosquito kit elsewhere, but had no luck. Also, I am not ambitious enough to scratch-build it, so eventually I bit the bullet and paid more than I wanted to for it on eBay. I'm not really regretting it though, as its been a fun, clean build so far. Its my first 800 Series kit, and I really like how the movable control surfaces are designed right into the kit, and that it fits together smoothly.

[mustangman]

Very nice build! At one time I had three of these kits! I should have kept them.I wish guillows would reintroduce these!! Are you listening guillows?I would pay 60 to 70 bucks for a kit like this!

[Arlo DiPasquale]

I paid in the area of $75 for it, while the comparable B-25 sells for $57.29. I am wondering how long the Mossie has been discontinued for, and whether or not the price it fetches on eBay is what it is actually worth, or whether it is somewhat inflated.

[Pauli72]

Several model manufacturers have discontinued certain model kits, only to reintroduce them after 8 or 10 years of absence from the hobby market. Estes model rockets is a prime example. Almost every rocket kit has been discontinued and then rereleased after a decade or so. Several plastic model manufacturers follow this marketing plan too.

Disney corperation has been extremely successful with this marketing strategy as well. They only release their classic cartoon movies every 10 years or so, and people snap them up like crazy. Either that or they pay big bucks for them when they're out of production.

To my knowledge, no Guillow's kit has ever been rereleased. Perhaps after the current line of Guillow's kits are all converted to laser cut, maybe they will rerelease some of the classics like the Mosquito in laser-cut format. Or at the very least, make the individual plans, plastic parts and decals available for separate purchase on the GUILLOWS MODEL PARTS LISTING.

Until that time, there's always ebay, and some Shylock looking to hawk one of these kits at a 265% outrageous markup.

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Finally I've had some time to work on my Mosquito. Finished covering it and cut out almost all the plastic parts. Naturally, they don't all fit together perfectly and I was wondering what I could use as fill for the plastic?


heres what the paint scheme will be: an early mk. IV

[Mitch]

I like the tissue work. I like that you are building in the workable features! Mitch

[ekram]

Have you ever considered modifying it for rubber power?

[Arlo DiPasquale]

I never considered building it for rubber power, the design is just too heavy. All balsa parts and strip stock are 3/32", making for a very heavy plane. It would need serious modifications to get off the ground with rubber power. I can see it being a great candidate for R/C conversion, however.

[Mitch]

Arlo, Why don't you weigh the model when done and show people what it weighs. I have the 800 series Stearman and that model IS designed, or at least advertised for RUBBER POWER flight, and the instructions say to sand ALL pieces to half thickness for RUBBER POWER. The instructions in my 800 series Airacobra only say for RUBBER POWER build LIGHT! I like that these are multi purpose kits and we can choose how to build. I like that you are including the movable parts. That in itself is another challenge. You are doing well. Mitch

[Wildpig]

Arlo,
Thanks for posting the build. I've been interested in the Guillow Mosquito kit.

As for rubber power, those short nacelles are a disadvantage. It can be done, though.
Probably would make a really nice electric powered aircraft.

As for a filler for the misfit plastics. I guess it's how bad is the gap. There are hobby fillers. I think David uses something from Sherwin Williams. You can buy sheet styrene but, that could get tedious.
I have covered gaps with the tissue. I"m not a stellar model builder, though.

[Mitch]

This Guillow kit is NOT designed for RUBBER POWER but models similar to this can be made to fly, follow is a link to the video from "Double Trouble" the Twin engine Mass Launch at the last FAC contest in Perris, CA. I did not take the video, but I was there watching this event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936dLu-6MQU
Hope you all enjoy, Mitch
PS These twin engine models have a shorter flight time than the typical Mass Launch events

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Mr. Duckett, I saw the hobbylite filler in your picture, so I went out to my local hobby store and bought some. I'll be assembling the model over the next week or so and will find out how it works.