bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 As Roger says it is very inspiring. Any progress on this lovely build? Chris 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 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 post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 (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 by Tail-Dragon 10 Link to post Share on other sites
bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Oh my word what fantastic detailing and corrections, flippin splendid work. Chris Link to post Share on other sites
dogsbody 9,155 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 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 post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 (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 by Tail-Dragon 4 Link to post Share on other sites
bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Wow, what teeny tiny(read fiddly) scratch work, cracking job and looks amazing. Chris Link to post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 (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 by Tail-Dragon 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 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. 7 Link to post Share on other sites
bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Great to see some paint going on. The canopy knock out gear and handles/latches loos amazing. Great job. Chris Link to post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 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 post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted March 2 Author Share Posted March 2 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! 6 Link to post Share on other sites
bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Very nice indeed, this looks great and the small bomb racks look fantastic, great job Chris Link to post Share on other sites
The Spadgent 19,798 Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Wow!!!! This is a bit special. Loving the detail. I'll tag along if I may. Johnny Link to post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted Wednesday at 08:59 PM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 08:59 PM Here's a masking job I could do without ... 7 Link to post Share on other sites
bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted Thursday at 10:01 AM Share Posted Thursday at 10:01 AM Cor blimey, you must have the patience of a saint. Great job Chris Link to post Share on other sites
Tail-Dragon 2,462 Posted Thursday at 07:49 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 07:49 PM The business end of the Beaufighter is ready, Now on to the pinwash, decals, weathering, and then, a strong drink! 4 Link to post Share on other sites
bigbadbadge 8,118 Posted Saturday at 09:12 AM Share Posted Saturday at 09:12 AM Oooooo looking fantastic , enjoy your well deserved drink. Chris Link to post Share on other sites
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