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Hello everyone While I'm wrestling the Airfix Blenheim into submission, I thought I'd try another of their Bristol twins, the Beaufighter X. I'll be doing it as KW280 MB-M of 236 Squadron, flown on a few occasions my Flt. Lt. James Davies Taylor, D.F.C., who was born in Sunderland in 1921. He served with 236 Sqn, was awarded the D.F.C. in October 1944, but was killed whilst serving with 84 Squadron in Indonesia on December 8th 1945. His death was reported in the Sunderland Echo of December 12th 1945: Sunderland D.F.C.’s Fate in Java Flying Officer James Davies Taylor, D.F.C., whose wife resides at Humbledon, is reported missing and believed killed in Java. ‘Jimmy’ Taylor was one of Sunderland East End born boys, who, by sheer pluck and determination made his way in the world. Prior to the war he lived with his mother at The Barracks and attended Moor School, and when he started his apprenticeship at Messrs. Austin’s shipyard he got a number of awards, which entitled him to attendance year after year at Sunderland Technical College evening courses. Just before the outbreak of hostilities he signed professional forms with Newcastle United as reserve centre forward from Hylton Juniors – and it was one of his regrets that he was persuaded to sign for them instead of Sunderland. In 1941 he enlisted in the R.A.F. and carried out his training in Canada. When he was awarded the D.F.C. in September last year. The citation said Flying Officer Taylor in May had engaged a Junkers 88, and later in the month attacked and damaged an enemy coastal vessel single-handed. During the attack his port engine was out of action. “This officer”, concluded the citation, “has always pressed home his attacks with great determination.” On both the occasions mentioned in the report he was flying KW280, and I've found a few more of his Ops from the 236 Squadron O.R.B. Another one of them was on August 12th 1944 when he took part in the attack against Sperrbrecher VII, formerly the Sauerland, also in KW280. The I.W.M. has a great photo of the attack: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205218986 So the Beau will be Dark Sea Grey and Sky, with full D-Day stripes, armed with 8 R.P.s as is seen on the well-known photos of NT850 MB-T. So, this is what I've got: More soon Simon