1:32 de Havilland Mosquito - Airframe Stencil / Data Marking (Part 1)

1:32 de Havilland Mosquito, technical stencils and airframe data markings, Aviaeology ADD32S105

A decal sheet with technical stencils and data markings for the airframe in 1:32 scale. It is not a model and not a sheet of national markings: what is here is the service lettering and the warning and data texts, which the manufacturer describes as markings common to the whole range of Mosquito versions, with the exception of the all-black NF.II night fighters of the early war. For some of the items both factory and field variations are included. The alphanumeric items were produced in period typefaces, or as hand-drawn forms. Illustrated instructions with the preparation and the method of application are included.

The real subject

The de Havilland Mosquito was a twin-engine all-wood aircraft with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. It came about as an unarmed fast bomber and in service it grew into the role of night fighter, day and night bomber, attack machine and photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Its wooden construction made it possible to bring furniture workshops into production and gave the airframe a smooth surface. The stencils were densest on new machines from the factory and changed in service after repairs and repainting.

Application and painting tips

Apply the decals onto a dried gloss coat, because on a flat surface the carrier film will not key properly. Cut the items off one at a time and trim the film close to the artwork. Work from the large items to the small ones and keep comparing with a photograph of the machine you are building. Once it is dry, varnish the whole thing to gloss or to flat according to the scheme.

Who the sheet is for

• Modelers building the Mosquito in 1:32 whose base kit lacks the service stencils
• Anyone interested in finishing the airframe faithfully without touching the national markings and codes
• Builders who want to tell the factory and field variation of the markings apart

This is an accessory for a model, not a kit. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.