1:48 McCauley Mosquito replica - Chevy power!

[K5054NZ]

Spotted at Oshkosh in 1987 was this scale DH Mosquito replica. Powered by 350hp Chevy V8s and close to the dimensions of a P-40, this machine – fairly accurate in outline (but reminiscent of the later single-seat DH.102 Hornet)– was said to be a prototype for a run of homebuild machines. More refined than the VW-powered 2/3 scale Butterworth Westland Whirlwind which appeared – and disappeared – earlier in the decade, big things were planned for the McCauley Mosquito, with plans for several aircraft being circulated. At least four were under construction in the US by 1990, but none are reported to have been completed. The prototype aircraft, N98MM, remained airworthy until stored after a landing accident in 1995.

MINIATURE MOSQUITO FLIES AGAIN!

Scaled replicas are something not often seen in these pages, but one machine of note has recently flown again after more than a decade in storage. The McCauley Mosquito, a roughly ¾ scale version of de Havilland's "wooden wonder", was marketed in the late 1980s as an affordable warbird replica with size close to that of a P-40, but only one aircraft was reportedly completed. This aircraft, registered N98MM, served as the prototype for the homebuilt design, and was flown by owner/designer Roger D. McCauley to several airshows and fly-ins across the US in efforts to promote the concept. Damaged in a groundloop in October 1995, the aircraft was put into storage and sold.
The new owner, Daniel Walker, had the unique machine rebuilt and flown by the team at Stevens-Perri Aero Technologies at Pittsburgh. Now restored to an accurate RAF day fighter scheme - but with the spurious codes RD-M (signifying the designer) - the delightful machine has flown some 15 hours since the first flight on April 25. The twin Chevy V8-powered mini-Mosquito is set to appear at EAA AirVenture this June – hopefully in company with Jerry Yagen's 1:1 Mosquito KA114 - before being shipped to its new home in the UK.

[K5054NZ]

Airfix 1:72 Mosquito Mk.II/VI/XVIII kit for the airframe and "guns" (cut from rocket projectiles), with NF.XIX/J.30 props (cut down) and spinners, 1:72 A-10 canopy, 1:48 Revellogram P-51D seat, Matchbox 1:72 Mosquito B.IX/NF.30 main u/c, unknown donor for tailwheel. Humbrol filler!

I've wanted to do a model of a "scale replica", and when playing around with my numerous 1:72 Mossies I thought it would be perfect to whif one into a 1:48 version of a 3/4 scale replica. Why not? Shortened props a la Titan 3/4 Mustangs, I'd read of mini Mustangs having 350hp Chevs up front so I thought it'd make sense!

Hope you like it - I'm quite pleased. The similarity to the Hornet is wholly unintentional!

[B777LR]

 

It looks like a dream to fly!

Looks very similar to the DH Hornet too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Hornet

http://www.dhhornet50.net/

[John Howling Mouse]

Fantastic idea, Zac and I love the canopy.  Can you photograph this next to another 1:48 model for "scale effect"?

[Hobbes]

Nice model, and an interesting idea. I'd have used Jaguar V12s instead, though...

[Brian da Basher]

Nice one, Zac! I really like how you modified this baby. It's very convincing and is a showcase of just how far your modelling skills have come in such a short time. The red spinners are totally icing on the cake!

Brian da Basher

P.S. Maybe I should see if that Stevens-Perri firm is hiring being as they're local and all...

[Ed S]

Brilliant idea and it turned out really well.  Nice imitation Mossie.

Ed

[Sisko]

Nice modifiction job and a great Idea.

That would look good as some sort of COIN fighter bomber!

[K5054NZ]

*blushes* aww thanks guys!

B777, yeah, I realised that AFTER I finished it! Totally unintentional, as my posts say! And yeah, if I wanted a scale replica I'd go for either a Spit or a Mossie. Just gotta design one!

Brian - yeah, why not? I'm sure they'd be after a SPAT man.....btw thanks for the kind comments. My theory behind the red spinners is that EVERYONE customises their plane with red spinners!

Hobbes - yeah, good point! However, this was an American design, so Chevy powerplants are in far greater supply. Plus, I didn't think of that! Perhaps we can convince Dan Walker to reengine it when it arrives in the UK?

Baz - thanks! I thought it'd be hopeless to try and replicate the birdcage of the full-scale Mosquito, and being a homebuilt I thought a bubble made sense. Plus, as Thomas quite correctly pointed out, there's this great similarity to the Hornet! Probably about right dimensions, too? I had taken pics next to my 1:48 Hasegawa Kittyhawk, but you can't actually see it in the shots here! I'll do some later on with the P-40, Buchon and semi-complete Mossie FB.VI. Stay tuned.

BTW I also posted this build at MM, ARC and Unofficial Airfix - ZERO comments! Unimaginative bunch!

[K5054NZ]

Ok, scale shots! Seen in the pics are the (all 1:48) Hasegawa P-40M, Academy HA.1112 Buchon and Airfix Mosquito FB.VI. As well as the new ZT Vacforms McCauley Mosquito .

[B777LR]

BTW I also posted this build at MM, ARC and Unofficial Airfix - ZERO comments! Unimaginative bunch!

Hahaha, perhaps you should go over and change the title into "1/48 scratchbuilt DH Hornet - Merlin Power"! Im sure that would attract them

I can imagine this plane with Turbo Props And LGBs

[K5054NZ]

Don't just imagine - DO! Here in Kiwiland, the Airfix Mossie is only $17*! Surely you'd have spare bits lying around to make your machine happen....

*by comparison the Tamiya 1:72 fighter offering is a whopping $42.99 ! Why not spend the extra $12 and get the 1:48???!!!!!!

[B777LR]

Only Nz$17? In Denmark they sell it for 75 kr, or Nz$20 

Tamiya is much worse. The 1/48 F-16C costs Nz$100, and the 1/48 Fi-156 Storch is Nz$112, so you see, your not bad off at all!



PS: May i recommend you the Airfix multi theme sets? An example, the 1/72 Swedish AF set contains 7 kits, but at a very reduced price per kit

Edit: If you like aircraft that look like the Mosquito, check out this one:

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=SAI%20KZ%20IV&distinct_entry=true

[ysi_maniac]

Brilliant idea and realization

[K5054NZ]

  Thanks Thomas! Hahaha very interesting aircraft, I like it!