bristol boy Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Finally finished these two Valom models, Bristol Buckingham B1 and Buckmaster T1. The Buckingham was originally developed in response to the Air Ministry's request for a bomber version of the Beaufighter but by the time it had been developed the role had very adequately been filled by the Mosquito. 54 Buckingham B1's were built the rest of the order being converted to Buckmasters to be used as training and fast transport aircraft. Like all Valom kits the panel lines and rivet detail is very good but then they are let down by the fact that the parts don't fit too well, such as wings being thicker than the wing root. They also lack a few details because Valom always try to produce too many variants without changing the basic mould, so both kits have Brigand wings without the correct air intakes for the Buckingham or Buckmaster etc. Enough waffle, here's some pics. 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Really nice work there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Two lovely models of two rarely seen aircraft in kit form. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Nice uglies... - I remember from my build (transport version of Buckingham) that construction was a bit tricky Cheers J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vh-bob Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 An excellent pair of Bristols (I couldn't help it) I have all three of them to build so it looks I should get on with them soon as the clock is ticking. I only hope that mine look anywhere near as good as your efforts when they are done. Trev. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted May 27, 2016 Author Share Posted May 27, 2016 An excellent pair of Bristols (I couldn't help it) I have all three of them to build so it looks I should get on with them soon as the clock is ticking. I only hope that mine look anywhere near as good as your efforts when they are done. Trev. I was tempted by that title myself but resisted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polo1112 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 In one word: AWESOME !!! Great and original work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimHead23 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Top work! I've never seen this kit completed before so thanks for sharing. Regards Jim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 great looking pair, nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Whatever fit issues you may have had you've produced two superb models. It seems hard to imagine that the MAP persued the Buckingham given the the Mosquito was doing such a fine job. I read that the whole project, including the Brigand, was really kept alive to keep the workers at Bristol in a job. Can you imagine that now? Anyway, it was to our benefit as the whole family are really interesting aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Definitely a superb pair,great stuff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Wow they both look superb,......big chunky looking aeroplanes with massive engines,........great stuff!! Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 They have both turned superbly and if you hadn't told us about the issues with the parts fitting we would have been none the wiser, congratulations Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 Very, very nice BB - good job that man! You've built two beautiful models from difficult kits and the results are superb. I particularly like the weathering and the finish on the Buck. Bristol envy kicking in... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted May 28, 2016 Author Share Posted May 28, 2016 Thanks to all for the positive comments. Despite the fit issues I highly recommend Valom kits, they are a great way of doing something a bit different. Come on then CedB what's your next Bristol project ? A vacform replacement nose arrived in the post this morning for a Frog Beaufort, maybe next... Or a Contrail H P Sparrow... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 Very nice, very butch looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 After the cancellation of the Buckingham the line was kept going to keep the skilled workforce in place before the Brigand was ready. There was great pressure for skilled workers in the UK at this time. Given the high demand for Mosquitos elsewhere it isn't surprising that the RAF was looking for a replacement light bomber for the Blenheim/Boston: it is worth remembering that the Mosquito losses in the day bomber role were higher than that of the preceding Blenheim! (Source for this is Scott's history of 105 Sq.. - they were of course flying more taxing missions.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain goat Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 Great how you've shed light on two relatively unknown aircraft. The models both look very nice but for me the Buckmaster has the edge in that it looks a little more aerodynamic. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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