Gee Mk.II (ARI 5083) cockpit components for Mosquitoes, Beaufighters, and others
Based on primary source technical documentation ranging from Mosquito specific and broader RAF manuals to hard-to-find Beaufighter installation drawings, as well as interpretation of the photographic record, this set includes the metal parts and documentation needed to model the Airborne Radio Installation (ARI) 5083
Gee Mk.II components present in the cockpit of a very large number of home-based (UK) and continental Europe based (post D-Day) fighter nosed Mosquitoes, as well as all Coastal Command Beaufighter TF.Xs operational in both front line strike squadrons and the Coastal OTUs from late 1943, early 1944 onwards.
The structural mounting hardware for both of these aircraft types is included in all but the 1/24th scale set, which has only the Mosquito mounting hardware. Mounting hardware specifics aside, this set may be adapted to models of many other larger aircraft types in RAF Bomber, Coastal and Transport Commands, as well of those of some other Allied air arms that used the UK
Gee Chain in the Second World War.
Surprisingly, to date these often-used components are missing in nearly all kits of the Mosquito and Beaufighter in all scales. The new Tamiya 1/32 scale Mosquito is an exception; it features a nice set of ARI 5083 components, but these can be further enhanced (especially the mounting hardware) or replaced with EtchSentials set as well.
It should also be noted that later-service bomber-nosed Mosquitoes also used variations of ARI 5083, but the equipment distribution within the aircraft was not the same as that in the FB.VI and other fighter-nosed examples.
Available in 1/72, 1/48, 1/32, and 1/24 scales.*
Four 8.5 x 11 inch pages of documentation, including period photographs and technical materials outtakes, finishing notes, and clear scale illustrations. **
* Both parts make-up and detail representation are handled differently in each scale due to practical size and final assembly considerations. The Beaufighter mounting hardware detail parts are included in all but hte 1/24 scale set.
** Laser-printed b&w hardcopy supplied in the package, Home-printable colour PDF version available via email after purchase.
