Brigbeale Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 (edited) I’m happy to say I’ve finished this Beaufighter. I saw it on eBay requiring attention - which was a bit of an understatement!! I had the Matchbox release about 35 years ago. I remember building it and painting it with Humbrol paints. the extra dark sea grey went on very well without any brush strokes showing. Alas, it was destroyed with all of my other models when my brothers test flew the lot out of an upstairs window - I may have mentioned that once or twice! Here’s how I bought it. . Heres the WIP The propellers and landing gear have been replaced with items that I’ve 3D printed. Despite trying Revell and Airfix, neither had a replacement canopy available (the original was broken and glue smeared. Instead, I purchased a Falcon Canopy set from Hannants. The rebuild was fairly straightforward - being a re-released version of the original Matchbox kit. I tried out this weathering malarkey for the first time and I have to say there’s room for improvement, but overall I’m happy with it. I depicted it minus it’s rockets and cannon ports uncovered as though it had just returned from a mission. The finished model... And finally with another of my ‘interests’ as a kid which I found on eBay Now to find room for it in my cabinet and decide what to do next.... Edited December 26, 2020 by Brigbeale 33 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 Very nice,...... I`ve had a few old Matchbox kits like that in my time,...... but you have really done a good job tarting the old girl up, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 Great results considering whatvwas at the start. Enjoyed your WIP. It brought back great memories of the 70s Matchbox catalogues, I remember seeing the Beau in one as a youngster. Great work and thanks for the memories. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted December 25, 2020 Author Share Posted December 25, 2020 9 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: Great results considering whatvwas at the start. Enjoyed your WIP. It brought back great memories of the 70s Matchbox catalogues, I remember seeing the Beau in one as a youngster. Great work and thanks for the memories. Chris You’re welcome Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 What a transformation. David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
112 Squadron Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 Indeed a nice result. I like the way you took care of the old Beaufighter. 👏 The vintage Matchbox kits really deserve to be kept and restored! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephLalor Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Very nice restoration job; it should inspire me to finish my Matchbox Beau. I had 'Ten Gun Terror' too, long gone by now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Having seen your wip the end result is a tribute to your skill and patience- well done!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomthounaojam Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Outstanding mate, truly given a new life to it, I myself is restoring a F-14 will upload once it is done. Cheers 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Great restoration.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Outstanding result! It looks so much better than the original! For a first time doing weathering, I think you did a fine job. I really enjoyed following the WIP and watching this all come together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 I love seeing projects like this where a seriously abused model is resurrected and given new life. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1Fan Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 (edited) Definitely a good one worth saving! looks great, Edited December 30, 2020 by F1Fan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 You certainly brought that one back from destruction. Excellent looking model well done 👏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Truly a silk purse made from a sow's ear. Well done! Looks like you still have some framing to do on the gunner's canopy? Rgds Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansReggelsen Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Beau-tifull! Another one of my favourites and a well done at that! Cheers Hans J 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Uehlinger Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Fantastic job with the Beaufighter! Posts like yours are inspiring me to try my hand at "Restoring" a model. I happened to see at a local antique/auction shop a 1/72 Monogram B-52 up for bid. I had forgotten how large it was - my HS friend having had one hanging from the ceiling in 1981. I have bid $5 for the Monster (and likely to win, I think). It was painted fairly well for the time it was made, but clearly could be substantially reworked. If I obtain it, I will post on forum to find out the best way to perform some Massive Paintstripping..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted December 30, 2020 Author Share Posted December 30, 2020 5 hours ago, mike romeo said: Truly a silk purse made from a sow's ear. Well done! Looks like you still have some framing to do on the gunner's canopy? Rgds Martin Yes, that’s correct. The photos were taken shortly after the canopy was fitted. I’ll paint it the time I’ve got that colour out and I remember...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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