bigbadbadge Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 As Roger says it is very inspiring. Any progress on this lovely build? Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 Thanks! The Beaufighter has made much progress since the last posting, however, it was temporarily shelved while waiting for a set of Falcon Vac canopies, and I just kept getting distracted by lockdowns, life, new grandchildren, and , I suppose, a blooming case of ADHD! It has been calling me from it's cabinet lately, and it's time to soldier on with it. I'll try to post new photo's today or tomorrow. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 (edited) I finally started working on the Beaufighter again, I had to wait for the Falcon Vac canopies all the way from New Zealand! (Jay's hobbies had stock) The list of mods and corrections for this kit was mind boggling! Beaufighter mods and corrections- Tamiya 1/48 to 404 Sqdn TFX - correct oversized, untapered elevators - trim tab and servo tab rods should be on bottom of elevators - reduce left wing gun access panel size and screws missing (only 2 guns) - correct right wing gun panel scribing (center panel lines and screws missing) - plug gun openings - remove battle damage patches both wings - covered landing light for rocket equipped aircraft - actuating rod for oil coolers (trough vanes) - oil cooler exit vents missing - left wing gun camera - scoop missing below wind shield - blank off wing root scallops inside - add pilots entry braces (for and aft) and grab handles, radio boxes - open bulkhead door - ammo box and belt (left hand side), cartridge bag - observers radio boxes - exhaust stacks on engine - cowl braces on engine - cockpit heater pipes from exhaust (both sides) - 4 small hanger brackets for practice bomb racks - rearward facing nav lights replaced with tube lights (one or both depending on aircraft) - left wing oil tank access hatch, dingy hatch - fuel dump tubes in wheel wells wrong - gear door inner braces - beam approach antennae and ID lights - blister below observers l/h side, round path r/h side - strike camera on nose - radio altimeter antennae under stab - dingy release handle ahead of l/h stab - fuel tank vent blisters (both sides) aft of canopy - small scoop r/h side of nose - trailing antennae mount - extra shell eject ports for canon - detail on rocket blast plate - observers blister - not framework but inner structure - small fin ahead of obs. bubble -small vent on r/h intake - quick release for obs. bubble (possible by date) - gear door bungies and rods - tubular rocket rails, a/p rockets - nose 'whisker' antennae's Lots of correction info came from Aviaeology's excellent decal instruction sheets - an absolute must! Fitting the Vacuform canopy ... Cockpit is busy enough to justify the Vac canopy and open hatch ... For the business end of the Beau, I detailed the blast plates, and robbed the 60 Lb warheads from and Airfix Mosquito. The separate warheads should make painting the I.D. rings a little easier (I hope) and a bit of detailing on the gear doors ... Edited February 21, 2021 by Tail-Dragon 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Oh my word what fantastic detailing and corrections, flippin splendid work. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 For those interested in No. 404 Squadron aircraft, check out the photos: https://web.archive.org/web/20160323191529/http://404squadron.com/gallery1.html Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 (edited) I'm just finishing the vacuform canopy, adding the overhead hatch latches, stay cable and the release lever on the canopy frame. (It's insanely small, and I need 2 of them) Edited February 23, 2021 by Tail-Dragon 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Wow, what teeny tiny(read fiddly) scratch work, cracking job and looks amazing. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 (edited) All the fiddly little bits for the canopy are now done, I can start installing the transparencies. Object on the bottom is the R/H pilots knockout window release mechanism - that is composed of 8 parts! Edited February 23, 2021 by Tail-Dragon 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 27, 2021 Author Share Posted February 27, 2021 The painting has started, and with the start of the mottling, it's looking like a wintery Beaufighter! (I had used interior green as a primer previously. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Great to see some paint going on. The canopy knock out gear and handles/latches loos amazing. Great job. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 I finally got around to making the universal bomb carrier brackets that these Beaufighters carried on June 6, 1944. Should have done it sooner, but better late than never. The following is from Aviaeology's excellent "Canadians in Coastal Command" decal sheet ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 It's starting to look Beaufighter-ish. A few small touch-ups, and I can start adding the remaining parts. Finish line is in sight! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Very nice indeed, this looks great and the small bomb racks look fantastic, great job Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Wow!!!! This is a bit special. Loving the detail. I'll tag along if I may. Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 Here's a masking job I could do without ... 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Cor blimey, you must have the patience of a saint. Great job Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 The business end of the Beaufighter is ready, Now on to the pinwash, decals, weathering, and then, a strong drink! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Oooooo looking fantastic , enjoy your well deserved drink. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 12, 2021 Author Share Posted March 12, 2021 I've finished off the "business" end of the Beaufighter. I found some Verlinden Letraset style stenciling that is close to what I needed. Not exact, but close. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Oh wow they look great, fantastic attention to detail. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Oh man I’ve been there. Great work. 👌 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Walter E Kurtz Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 I finally got the oil pinwash done on the Beau, next (when dry) the gloss coat and decals. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Wow, this looks magnificent Great work. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Mike Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Just catching up in this thread. What an amazing build, love the level of detail! I had to double check it was 1/48 and not 1/32 (Which would have still knocked my socks off!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now