RAF WWII Wingtip Lights Question

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2009 10:41 pm

Hi All,

I'm currently working on a model of a Mosquito B.IV, with the double wingtip lights. Of course the forward lights are the ususal red/green nav lights, but I've heard that the aft lights were white formation lights. Can anyone confirm? I'm aware that all the lights had clear covers..I'm making them from chunks of solid clear plastic, and drilling tiny holes in the inside edge to simulate the light bulbs..I just need to know the correct colors.

Thanks!

Steve

JDK · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2009 10:52 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

I'm currently working on a model of a Mosquito B.IV, with the double wingtip lights. Of course the forward lights are the ususal red/green nav lights, but I've heard that the aft lights were white formation lights.

No, that's a miff.

They were the standard red/green wingtip lights fore and aft. The RAF didn't (plan to) fly 'formation' at night.

As someone who really didn't get it once said, make sure you replicate the wood grain on the fuselage and wings. :shock:

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2009 10:59 pm

Thanks!

That'll save me some work..I already have three of the four lights finished, and went with red/green for all of them. No I won't have to re-do the aft ones!

SN

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 12:12 am

fiber optic thread and a battery in the fuselage
visit your local Radio Shack or shop online

davem · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 11:13 am

The RAF in WWII did use formation keeping lights, they were on the aft of the wing tips, clear cover, dark blue light inside.

JDK · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 10:47 pm

davem wrote:

The RAF in WWII did use formation keeping lights, they were on the aft of the wing tips, clear cover, dark blue light inside.

Well, I didn't check, and now, after checking, I'm confused... :oops:

Can't find any reliable colour photos showing early Mosquito wingtips (not too surprising).

Later Mozzies seem to have just the forward wingtip lights.

I have a cutaway that clearly marks the aft wingtip lights as 'formation lights' as Dave says; but that doesn't tie to any other reference or data I've got; like the RAF needing or specifying them.

I have multiple profile paintings showing the aft light as a red/green item; but they are of course not source data.

Dave; can you elaborate?

Need a Mozzie or Bomber Command expert!

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 11:41 pm

Thanks for the info everybody..I went with red/green for both the fore and aft lights. If it turns out they were different colors, I'll have to make them correct on my next RAF project (cause I ain't re-doing them again!

)

SN

Bruce · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:23 am **Posts:** 67

Most Mossies didnt have the aft light - so check your references.

They did have another rear facing light just outboard of the aileron tips (Resin light).

Bruce

JDK · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2009 1:55 am

Bruce wrote:

Most Mossies didnt have the aft light - so check your references.

They did have another rear facing light just outboard of the aileron tips (Resin light).

Thanks Bruce - what were the aft/aft facing lights? Port/starboard or formation?

FITD · **Joined:** Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:06 pm **Posts:** 48

While not directly relating to the Mosquito B.IV of this posting, the AP 2019B, G & K Volume I for the Mosquito F.MkII, N.F. Mk XII and N.F. Mk XVII in Section 6, electrical and radio installation - maintenance, refers to these aircraft being fitted with "Navigation and resin lamps".

The wiring diagram for these lights (Fig. 12) show that the navigation lights and the 'resin' lights are on separate circuits. Section I, Fig. 3, shows the panel on the right side of the cockpit which contains the following switches;

Identification switch box and key
Air recognition lights switch
Identification lights selector switch
Navigation light switch
Navigation headlamp switch

Perhaps these 'resin' lights are controlled by the "Air recognition lights switch" and as such are not the same colour as the navigation lights as suggested elsewhere.

Sorry no positive information on this one.

FITD

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2009 3:58 am

Well, here's the finished product. A bit OT I'll admit..I'll post pics of the whole airplane in the Modelers forum.

I cut some chunks of clear stock to shape, drilled a hole in the edge and painted it to represent the colored (coloured) bulb, then painted the edges silver. Here are the "raw" parts grafted into place (did I mention this is 1/72 scale?)

...and here's the finished product, after I sanded them to shape and polished them, and repainted the wingtips.

This was obviously a re-do, because the kit lights didn't fit well, and had sink marks in the plastic. I should have done the lights this way from the start..would have saved myself a lot of time and headaches.

Thanks again, all!

Steve

JDK · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2009 4:01 am

FITD wrote:

Sorry no positive information on this one.

Well, you've added something to the mix.

As ever, there's always more to learn; especially when you think you are on solid ground - like I did. :lol:

Now, all we need to do is show Steve's lights are wrong. Sorry, that should read 'right'.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2009 4:09 am

Well of course they're wrong! According to Murphy's Law they must be, since there's no way to fix them now.

SN

davem · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2009 10:48 am

I can't elaborate beyond having worked on Blenheim / Bolingbroke, Hampden and Mosquito projects that had these fixed. I was told these were formation keeping lights and were standard on British bombers.

I guess my only observation would be is "what else would these be for?"

Attached are a couple of photos of a Handley Page Hampden wingtip.

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RAF WWII Wingtip Lights Question

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