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This build has taken me ages. I started it way back at the beginning of March, and thought it would be a quick build, but somehow I struggled with life impacting on both my time and my mojo, not to mention building several other kits alongside this one. The four GB's I joined this year have run one after the other, and maybe in retrospect I shouldn't have dived in quite so deep. However, the Defiant is now done, so I'm pleased with that. The kit was pretty good, only requiring a few minor fettles along the way, and I think it builds well and nails the essence of the Defiant really nicely. The kit was built largely OOB, with added Eduard PE. I managed to trash one of the decals so had to use some Xtradecals markings to salvage things. The paints were my usual Colourcoats enamels (courtesy of @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies) and spraying was done with a set of Topnotch camouflage masks. I used Mig Ammo panel line wash and pigments for weathering. WIP thread is here: Anyway, some images: So, there she is; not perfect but hey... I've still got a real soft spot for the Defiant and genuinely feel that her reputation is undeserved. Her crews were brave beyond brave and flew with an unsurpassed dedication to their duty, and for that they have my undying gratitude and respect. The Defiant was intended to attack a stream of unescorted bombers and when that didn't materialise, they were thrown into the fight to intercept the might of the Luftwaffe formations of both bombers and fighters. They shot down a surprisingly high number of German aircraft before being withdrawn from the front line following the decimation of 141 Squadron's Defiants in a battle known as the Slaughter Of The Innocents. Robert Verkaik's excellent book Defiant: The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain tells the story of the Defiant and the role it played in the strategic and tactical thinking behind the defence of Britain in the early part of the war, as well as the failures in the Chamberlain government's top brass's approach to air defence. The aircraft represented here, L7021, was flown by Squadron Leader G D Garvin and his gunner, Flight Lieutenant R C V Ash on the 28th of August 1940. The aircraft was badly damaged in combat with a Bf109 of JG26 (I haven't been able to identify who the pilot was) and the crew baled out of the burning fighter. S/L Garvin sustained minor injuries but F/L Ash was killed. L7201 impacted the ground near Faversham (see http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Garvin.htm http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Ash.htm and https://www.key.aero/forum/historic-aviation/31796-defiant-walkaround). Staggeringly, with hindsight, F/L Ash had requested a transfer to Defiants. His body was found riddled with machine gun bullets, suggesting that he may well have been attacked whilst making his descent by parachute. An imperfect aircraft used in imperfect circumstances, then, but a brave and steadfast crew, one of whom gave his life in the worst of circumstances during the defining air battle of WWII. Lest we forget... Thanks, JRK