Beaufighter Mk1, R2198, 252 Sqn, Egypt, 1941.

[DaveyGair]

Here's my shot at a High Planes model, of which I have several.  Built out the box with kit decals.

R2198 (sometimes known as R2158!) had a slightly non-standard scheme applied in Stone/Dark Earth/Azure Blue before going to the middle East. Photo's show a lighter colour on the lower control surfaces which the instructions call out as Sky, so that's what I've shown.  The kit was, being of the short run type (and not as well moulded as S'Hobby kits), was hard going, mainly because of the clean-up required.  

I could have spent more time on test fitting and adjusting but wanted to get it done for the end of the MTO GB.

All the parts were used, including engines and cowlings (the latter looking like they were hammered out in an Orc Workshop!), I scratch built a bit of a rear cockpit interior as none was provided in the kit, not even a seat!  The kit decals went on well, but later showed silvering which I couldn't put right.

Xtracrylic's for the exterior, Vallejo ModelAir for the interior.

Overall I'm pleased with the result, it's a shame a lot of people will be put off as it has really fine surface detail and the cockpit wasn't bad in terms of detail, just added belts. At least I know what to expect when I get into doing the Beauforts I have ( I have another Beaufighter as well ).

 

Davey.

 

 

[RidgeRunner]

Nice one. The Beau’ was a great workhorse in WW2. You’ve got the essence of her just right. 

 

Martin

[Meatbox8]

Very nice indeed.  The Beau looks nice in the desert scheme.  Congrats on completing the HP kit, bearing in mind the Airfix one is around now.  I built one of their Canberras a while back,  Shape was spot on but a tricky and time consuming build. 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Excellent Beaufighter Davey  

[bryanm]

Beau-tiful (sorry!) - my favourite colour scheme and intriguing red blast channels for the cannon.  Nice interior as well.  The flat tailplane Mk I is rarely modeled.

[Vinnie]

Very nice 'Beau'. Well done.

[F-32]

Very tasty indeed

[occa]

There were no desert scheme Beaus in North Africa, only in TSS.

This is a common mistake often repeated.

They were there to strike ships so over water camouflage was the rule

Nevertheless the model looks marvelous, especially if one considers the HP kit is not the easiest to build !!!

 

[DaveyGair]

Thanks for all the kind comments, I got a lot out of building it. Hopefully can do as well a job on the Beauforts.

 

11 hours ago, bryanm said:

Beau-tiful (sorry!) - my favourite colour scheme and intriguing red blast channels for the cannon.  Nice interior as well.  The flat tailplane Mk I is rarely modeled.

Cheers. The red is meant to represent the coverings they applied over the gunports, I couldn't be bothered to drill out 6 wing openings evenly!  I'm sure I've seen similar over the cannon ports as well.

 

3 hours ago, occa said:

There were no desert scheme Beaus in North Africa, only in TSS.

This is a common mistake often repeated.

They were there to strike ships so over water camouflage was the rule

Nevertheless the model looks marvelous, especially if one considers the HP kit is not the easiest to build !!!

 

Thanks, that's very interesting.  So none at all were done in these colours in the MTO? Are all the decal sheets and book illustrations wrong?  Intriguing, something to look into 🤔

 

Davey

[occa]

Davey I just found a photo of R2198

I see it doesn't look like TSS even if the high contrast between the lighter and the darker color gives a bit of an enigma.

 

 

There is quite a number of color photos of North African Beaus on the IWM site and they are all in TSS.

I still believe tho only some early production Beaus were in desert scheme

 

Edit:

Was is a Malta based machine btw ?

In that case the dark color could be dark blue maybe possibly ?

[DaveyGair]

9 hours ago, occa said:

Davey I just found a photo of R2198

I see it doesn't look like TSS even if the high contrast between the lighter and the darker color gives a bit of an enigma.

There is quite a number of color photos of North African Beaus on the IWM site and they are all in TSS.

I still believe tho only some early production Beaus were in desert scheme

 

Edit:

Was is a Malta based machine btw ?

In that case the dark color could be dark blue maybe possibly ?

There are 4 photo's of this aircraft on the internet showing port and starboard upper and lower views which I used as a reference, the dark colour has a definite demarcation to the lower colour and the lighter control surfaces are clearly seen, the lower surfaces apparently being overpainted in Azure Blue.  Here's a link ; https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/uk/raf/beaufighter/beaufighter-mk-if-pn-b-r2158-of-no-252-squadron-raf-1942-in-flight/

Notice the censor has removed any trace of the guns and ejection ports, and the serial number.

Caption says 252 Sqn, and I've seen this aircraft referenced as R2198 and R2158, as the above is!

 

You're right about the TSS schemes as I've only seen colour shots of Beau's in this scheme,  but not sure what time frame they're from.  I'm sure I read somewhere that a Sqn commander wanted their Beaufighters painted in the Mid. Stone over Earth scheme ASAP after they arrived in N.Africa, but can't find it again.  

Have a look at this link ;  http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/252_wwII.html

Shows 252 went to Malta in the summer 1941, but moved to Egypt to be under control of 272 sqn,  November moved to Idku until 1943 when moved to Libya.

 

I think all in all, unless there is positive proof of schemes, colours, dates, etc, I'm happy to use a bit of 'artistic licence' on any of my builds!

 

Davey.

Edited August 26, 2018 by DaveyGair

[occa]

You certainly caught the details of the undersides right, well spotted.

Highly possible it was originally in the desert scheme indeed.

 

 

Re the pic I posted, what if it shows the AC over Malta in a later state?

I am especially intrigued by the sloppy over paint the darker upper surface color shows especially around the yellow portion of the fuselage roundel, I don't think that is the original color. Also the wrap around on the belly appears to exceed the normal proportions. (in the Photo you linked to)

 

I would really like it to be dark blue ... we can always dream hah ...

Paul Lucas found evidence (see SAM Color Conundrums) there were Spitfires and Blenheims on Malta in Dark Slate Grey and Mediterranean Blue and even in Deep Sky so who knows ...

 

Sorry to interrupt your thread ... I've babbled enough

 

Cheers

Martin

 

 

[DaveyGair]

11 hours ago, occa said:

Sorry to interrupt your thread ... I've babbled enough

 

Cheers

Martin

 

 

No need to apologise for interrupting this thread Martin, this is what I like about this forum, lots of ideas and opinions (informed or not!) to make reference to.  I do a little research into the subjects I do, but mainly follow what the manufacturer of the kits give you (which I know is asking for trouble), and what seems right for me 🙂.

 

Davey.