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I recently received the nice new 1/144th Mark1 kit of the Avro/HS/BAe* 748, with a view to using aftermarket decals on it. A quick check soon revealed a problem though. Comparing it with my Welsh kit showed a noticeable difference in size, in fact the Welsh vac-form fuselage fits neatly inside the Mark1 kit. I don't know which is more accurate, but I like both. It's just that older decal sheets were designed for the Welsh kit. *Choose your preferred nomenclature Dave

This is a current Works in Progress. I have decided to give the Marabu designs (http://www.marabudesign.com ) PE set for the Beaufighter a go. I have a 1/144 Mk.1c from Mark1 that I will probably do in RAAF colours of Foliage Green and Earth Brown over RAAF Sky of a 30Sqn aircraft based in PNG in 1942. I am not one of those modellers who takes satisfaction in building items that can not be seen by others only 'knowing they are there'! I plan to detail this kit with the PE (and maybe some other items depending on how my time and sanity go) and allow it to be seen. I have had a few suggestions as to how to do it but as I am not that big on dioramas and the exploded view although intriguing (and something I may do at a later time), leaves me with more of a "instructional 'cut-away' display as they used to do with weapons when training soldiers. I am using the SAM Publications. Modellers Datafile number 6 "The Bristol Beaufighter" as my main reference So the pieces involved; PE set: Mark1 kit Described in detail in other threads but nevertheless a great kit with some areas that need addressing (in my opinion): Floor pieces: Glued together and the two exits cut out: Pilots entry well sides made with two part putty. I plan on having the front hatch open and so need to make the walls of the entrance well between the floor and the fuselage (otherwise the space under the floor will be seen). I am not planning to open the rear one as yet (but may change my mind!) : Some of the interior parts including 20mm cannon ammo boxes, radio and table, and side fuselage pilot consuls (I have added a box (APU) already to the floor that can be seen in the above picture): Starboard fuselage interior being prepared by thinning away a little of the plastic where the PE side will sit up against: Port fuselage side with some PE interior side panel pieces added and a large section dremelled away to allow for viewing: And the outside of the Port fuselage (I have also cut out the observer's hatch surrounds as this will be a PE part and displayed open): I will have to do painting as I go (both interior and exterior (as I am afraid that I might not adequately mask the interior when I come to spray the camo!!)).

Mark One's 1/144 Wessex HAR.2. A really nice little kit, just needed some of the lines re-engraving and a bit of interior detail adding. (I lost the inflation bottles, so need to source a couple of suitable spheres).