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Airfix “New Tool” Bristol Beaufort A04021 (1st WIP) ** FINISHED **


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Got mine today from the Big H. woo..hooo!

I decided to go all in and got the Eduard interior set as well. 

 

I had just started the Brengun Typhoon when the parcel arrived. Saved by the bell I think as after only 24 hours I'd decided the Brengun was a crock of you know what. Beguiled by its looks I started full of confidence ....to find nothing fits. I also then found @Procopius review, too late. So that's now in the (very) slow lane.

 

Being a modeller of little brain I'm also toying with doing a double, compare and contrast, build with the Special Hobby Beaufort. I think I'm being optimistic though. 

 

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6 hours ago, VT Red Sox Fan said:

Tony, these are looking great--really like the decal/weathering finishes... best, Erwin

Cheers mate,... hopefully they`ll soon be finished. 

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1 hour ago, Properjob56 said:

Got mine today from the Big H. woo..hooo!

I decided to go all in and got the Eduard interior set as well. 

 

I had just started the Brengun Typhoon when the parcel arrived. Saved by the bell I think as after only 24 hours I'd decided the Brengun was a crock of you know what. Beguiled by its looks I started full of confidence ....to find nothing fits. I also then found @Procopius review, too late. So that's now in the (very) slow lane.

 

Being a modeller of little brain I'm also toying with doing a double, compare and contrast, build with the Special Hobby Beaufort. I think I'm being optimistic though. 

 

I was doing a couple of Airfix kits along with a Special Hobby kit,..... I would just enjoy the Airfix kit if I were you mate,..... maybe built the SH kit afterwards? 

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Hiya Folks,..... a bit more progress on my Beaufort`s,.....

 

.I`ve been cracking on with assembling and painting some of the `ancillary' items like the wheels, propellers, torpedo (still being worked on!), turrets, and the guns, including the twin Vickers guns in the nose. The Brownings for the turrets are Aeroclub white metal and they have been removed from their moulded mounting on the sides to be attached to the kit part in an upright position where they are closer together. The beam guns are Coastal Craft white metal Vickers guns..... only because I used the excellent Airfix guns in the nose mounting instead. 

 

DSCF0492-NEW.jpg

 

A bit more progress on the turrets;

DSCF0493-NEW.jpg

 

Here is the SAAF aircraft so far;

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The undercarriage has been partially fitted into the nacelles and the torpedo bay doors have been fitted in a closed position as this aircraft carried bombs and depth charges in its anti submarine role,... these doors were cut from the closed bomb/torpedo bay part;

DSCF0500-NEW.jpg

 

The 22 Sqn SEAC aircraft so far,....

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And the torpedo bay doors are fitted open, ie pushed open or in,... as it will have a torpedo fitted and the torpedo mounting is now in place. Again the undercarriage is partially fitted;

 DSCF0498-NEW.jpg

 

Cheers

          Tony

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Hiya Folks,..... a small update on my Beaufort`s,.....

 

.I`ve built up a set of depth charges left over from an Airfix Wellington and added them to a set of bomb racks from a Revell Lancaster which have been altered slightly;

DSCF0501.jpg

 

Then they were added to the bomb bay of the SAAF Beaufort,...... a more suitable load for its anti submarine and convoy escort duties;

DSCF0506.jpg

 

So tonight should be undercarriage, torpedo, propellers and radar antennae night! 

 

Cheers

           Tony

 

 

 

 

Cheers

          Tony

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These are looking brilliant Tony and I do apologise for my lack of WIP progress on mine. I’ve had a couple of weeks of additional work and other family commitments, but rest assured I’ll post something up in the next few days. In the meantime, you can all marvel at Tony’s excellent work, as always he is doing a fantastic job. 
 

Cheers.. Dave 

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35 minutes ago, Rabbit Leader said:

These are looking brilliant Tony and I do apologise for my lack of WIP progress on mine. I’ve had a couple of weeks of additional work and other family commitments, but rest assured I’ll post something up in the next few days. In the meantime, you can all marvel at Tony’s excellent work, as always he is doing a fantastic job. 
 

Cheers.. Dave 

Thanks Dave and looking forward to your updates mate,..... I just muddle along while your more methodical method is much more informative! I`m like the warm up act!

Cheers

           Tony 

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1 hour ago, Rabbit Leader said:

These are looking brilliant Tony and I do apologise for my lack of WIP progress on mine. I’ve had a couple of weeks of additional work and other family commitments, but rest assured I’ll post something up in the next few days. In the meantime, you can all marvel at Tony’s excellent work, as always he is doing a fantastic job. 
 

Cheers.. Dave 

 

 

Oh, good! I've been jonesing of your Beau!

 

 

 

 

Chris

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Delayed update - Priming and Engines done 

 

Again, apologies for the late update to this WIP, but I’m back on the horse now so hopefully it’ll be smooth sailing from now on (famous last words right!). Now the nose glazing did cause me a few issues and to be honest I’m still not happy with how it sits. The canopy part seems a smidge high and narrow, but that might be just down to my sloppy application. Overall, its only minor so I’ll press on and just get this finished.  

 

Here’s a few photos of my recent progress. Grey Green paint was applied over the clear parts and then a number of thin layers of Mr Surfacer 1000 to act as the primer base coat. Here’s another tip... don’t throw out those close bomb bay and wheel well door pieces as they make excellent paint masks! I also decided to fully paint up those troublesome Taurus engines prior to installation and soon realised that these little units have elements of all the paint colours I’ll be using on this model - Grey / Green, Aluminium, Dark Earth, Dark Green, Metallic Smoke, Night (Black) and Yellow. 

 

It took me three attempts to settle on what camouflage paints to use as Gunze’s new formula for Dark Earth (H72) is nothing like the old one. I ended up buying AK Real Colour’s version (RC 287) and it looks good to my eye. The Dark Green is Tamiya XF-81 and decanted AS-12 Airframe Silver is my favourite choice for Aluminium. A slightly dull semi-gloss coat should settle these all nicely. More paint will be splashed on in the following updates. 

 

Cheers.. Dave 

 

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On 17/04/2021 at 05:07, Rabbit Leader said:

canopy part seems a smidge high and narrow

Well after 60 years of the FROG one being too low and wide, that's just the universe evening things out...

 

It's looking good. Can't wait for more paint!

 

Regards,

Adrian

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You’re too right @AdrianMF, I really shouldn’t complain about anything, it’s all very minor and I should just enjoy and savour the fact we now have a brand new Beaufort kit! 
Cheers.. Dave 

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Lookin' good, Dave!

 

 

My kit just arrived yesterday afternoon. So far, I've only spent a couple short sessions oogling and fondling the part trees. 

 

One thing I did notice is that the bomb doors used when the torpedo is fitted looks like it shows the inner doors folded up inside the main doors. 

 

 

 

 

Chris

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4 hours ago, dogsbody said:

One thing I did notice is that the bomb doors used when the torpedo is fitted looks like it shows the inner doors folded up inside the main doors.

 

Great to hear you’ve finally got your mitts on one of these great kits Chris. 

Whilst we were all talking bomb bay doors earlier in this thread, I also agree that Airfix have made a good attempt at recreating these bi-folding doors, however they don’t do themselves any favours by telling you to paint the insides Grey Green like the other internal parts. Having studied the many photos provided, I still believe that these doors do not hinge into the outside doors that neatly so will press on with my attempt which shows these as ‘almost’ tucked in. 

Cheers and look forward to seeing yours progress too.. Dave 

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5 hours ago, VT Red Sox Fan said:

This build is looking great--I have learned so much about this aircraft and the kit--the one in my stash may need to come out soon--thank you for the inspiration & great work!  Best, Erwin

 

Thanks for the kind words Erwin. I'm glad this thread has been helpful to all modellers that love Bristol's Beaufort. 

Airfix deserve to be congratulated for taking the gamble and releasing this very much neglected subject. It's a great little kit and you will love building it. 

Cheers.. Dave   

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6 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

Airfix deserve to be congratulated for taking the gamble and releasing this very much neglected subject.

 

That's very true; it's not one of the usual suspects at all, and the fact that they've obviously done a properly in-depth job of the kit speaks volumes about their commitment to (finally?) getting things right.  Okay, there are a few oversights (camera, hand holds etc) but they're all very easily rectified or present on certain versions of the Beaufort.  I hope Airfix have been pleasantly surprised by the popularity of this kit.

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Hiya Folks,.... well I`ve finished my first two!!!

DSCF0536-NEW.jpg

 

22 Sqn RAF, Ceylon,...... ASV antenna salvaged from an old Encore kit,..... the mounting frames were made from Aeroclub strut plastic;

DSCF0560-NEW-NEW.jpg

DSCF0540-NEW-NEW.jpg

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16 Sqn SAAF, N.Africa,....... these aircraft were ex RAF from 47 Sqn and had the modified ASV fit with the antenna mounted directly onto the wing leading edge,.... fitting to the wing spar. The ASV antennae for this model came from a Specal Hobby  kit,.... the depth chrge load comes from an Airfix Wellington;

DSCF0516-NEW.jpg

DSCF0564-NEW.jpg

DSCF0566-NEW.jpg

 

Cheers and good luck with yours Dave,.... it is coming along wonderfully,

 

Tony

 

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17 minutes ago, jackroadkill said:

Nice job there, Tony - a grand pair.

 

Now, If I can just make some progress with mine....  I seem to have been stuck at the same stage for ages.

Thanks mate,.... I was like that too,.... it happens,..... I just pushed them over the line today but I really didn`t feel like doing any modelling,..... until I started. 

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9 minutes ago, tonyot said:

Thanks mate,.... I was like that too,.... it happens,..... I just pushed them over the line today but I really didn`t feel like doing any modelling,..... until I started. 

My biggest problem is that due to work etc I don't seem to be able to manage my modelling time very efficiently; I always end up doing some painting that takes two minutes and then means I can't touch the model again for 24 hours or somesuch.  I've had my Tempest on the bench for weeks now and it's still covered in masking tape, for example.

 

That said, the Beaufort is being built as an entry into the ANZAC GB, which is fast approaching it's conclusion, so one way or another it'll be done soon!

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