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Mostly complete but it actually didn't go together that well. Several parts required major surgery unfortunately, it was almost as if they were twisted. It looks as though the pilot's canopy has suffered the same fate and will be a tight squeeze too. Still, I'm not worried, it's for gaming and as long as it looks reasonable upon completion it'll do me. If I was going to do another Beaufighter kit I might try another brand.Thursday, May 20, 2010
Beaufighter Progress
Mostly complete but it actually didn't go together that well. Several parts required major surgery unfortunately, it was almost as if they were twisted. It looks as though the pilot's canopy has suffered the same fate and will be a tight squeeze too. Still, I'm not worried, it's for gaming and as long as it looks reasonable upon completion it'll do me. If I was going to do another Beaufighter kit I might try another brand.
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Hi Al - I've made a couple of the Airfix ones over the years for my Dad. He was a Beaufighter navigator and flew operations against the Japanese throughout 1944. Last summer we took Dad (who is now 90) to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford to see a Beaufighter that is being restored. It was quite an experience as I had never seen one and he hadn't seen one since the end of the war. It was a great aircraft and much loved by the crews. There is a link on my blog to the 211 Squadron website with a bit of blurb about my Dad. I look forward to seeing your Beau in action soon!
ReplyDeleteIan
tis ancient as the hills!! the Revell (Matchbox BfX)is an old kit but a nicer build & I have also dug out a Frog Beaufighter which again is actually rather nice & better than the Airfix offering....actually only Hasegawa (I'm not that rich!)& aussie manufactured High Planes....again an expensive option, produce a decent modern kit....we need a new kit from Airfix or Revell in 1/72nd (Tamiya's 1/48th excellent)even for wargaming. Fit problem not too bad on mine but am puring on the filler & tippex now!!
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive under-wing rocket packet on the Beau, did it come by way of the Airfix Mosquito kit or is it part of the anti-shipping arsenal?
ReplyDeleteThe Mosquito has top be my favourite WW2 allied force multiplier ;)
Great comments lads, most welcome. Ian I enjoyed reading through the links on your Blog, spent a bit of time in jungles myself.
ReplyDeleteFrax, would really like to see some of your Bueafighter models mate, I think you are a very good modeller.
Geordie, not sure if the rocket pack was used in anything other than anti-shipping, I added them more for visual effect than anything else. I really enjoyed making this kit.
Hi Chaps - The Beaufighters operated in Burma by 211 & 177 sqd RAF during 1943-1945 were rocket armed. They flew long-range ground strike missions against targets of opportunity deep behind Japanese lines. The aircraft unusally flew singley at low altitude (20-30ft!)only rising to a couple of hundred feet to use the rockets. The targets ranged from truck conveys, trains, railway-yards, oil pipelines and river boats to bullock conveys (which were considered a military target!). Little has been published about the contribution of these squadrons to the war effort as the airforce in the far east, like the army, can be tagged the "forgotten airforce". It does mean though that a rocket armed Beaufighter could properly take it's place on the wargame table!
ReplyDeleteIan
Ian, that is a seriously cool comment, the beaufighter pilots clearly made a huge contribution. I am pleased to hear about the rockets as the rules we use make these infinitely preferable as tank-busters to any other allied aircraft of this era.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Al
Good to see that Trace lets you into the house to carry out your modelling! Nice effort so far!
ReplyDeleteLong time ago I've got this model. I wish I never made him. I'm glad you're doing that!
ReplyDelete