Jim Kiker Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 One of my long-term projects is a Tamiya 1/48 scale Beaufighter armed with 25 lb rockets. I've read somewhere that the kit rockets are not especially well done. I cannot find any direct observations on this, and I am also looking for the rocket colors beyond the rocket body being in Bronze Green. My Google-fu is weak tonight! If any one can spread some light here I would really appreciate the help! Cheers, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 What I've got: Chris 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M. Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Hi Jim. In my humble opinion, the best RAF WWII rockets are those from the Aires Aerobonus line, but they only do the 60 lbr's, no 25's! Maybe combine the rocket tubes and fins with the Tamiya warheads??? Hannant's are only showing the 1:32 scale kits in stock, none in 1:48. Kit numbers are 480-067 and 320-064. I did a quick review of these for our club's newsletter back in 2016..a couple of quick snapshots attached below: Hope these help. I will also dig out my Revell kit to see what they are like, but I've just finished a move to a new apartment, and many kits are still sitting in large cartons in the lounge! Cheers, Pete M. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Hallo Before you start: Get this book and read. The Armed Rovers: Beauforts and Beaufighters Over the Mediterranean by Roy Conyers Nesbit (Paperback, 2002) Happy modelling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimea River Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 If I recall, the rails in the Tamiya kit are the Mk Ib type and the RPs had the 60lb warheads. I wanted the Mk III rails and 25lb RPs and ended up using spare rockets from the Revell Mosquito B. IV kit. I lopped off the fins and made new ones from card stock. I also made the hangers from brass sheet and added the various cables from lead wire. The process is described in my build thread here: https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/done-1-48-beaufighter-tf-x-twin-engined-aircraft-of-wwii.45798/page-24#post-1318399 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 (edited) From what I've gathered, the Tamiya kit comes with the Mk 1b projectors (rails) - the flat, tapered rails, and what passes for the AP Mk 1, the 25 Lb armor piercing warhead. However, the Tamiya Mosquito comes with the later Mk III projectors (the tubular style) (but with the mounts in the wrong place for a Beaufighter), and much better AP Mk II 25 Lb armor piercing warheads. Eduard's Brassin is releasing Mk III rails with 60 lb warheads for the Tempest II soon (no idea how the mounts will line up) ... Eduard's/Brassin Tempest II rockets The Aerobonus gives you only the Mk 1b rails, but excellent rockets, warhead choices, and decals. Aerobonus RAF rockets For my Beaufighter, I needed the Mk 1b rails with 60 Lb warheads, and had to rob the warheads from an Airfix kit, and attach them to the Tamiya rockets, as well as dress up the rails. (would have much easier going with Aerobonus, but at the time, I didn't know about them!) Edited July 9, 2021 by Tail-Dragon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kiker Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Gentlemen, Thanks for the images and information; you have been most helpful! A final question if you please. I am doing a Beaufighter from 236 Sqn, a Mk VIC, from early June 1943. What would be the correct combination of rails and rockets? Thanks again, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 I am not sure. Read the book! Here you find the initial data only. Happy modelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 17 hours ago, Jim Kiker said: Gentlemen, Thanks for the images and information; you have been most helpful! A final question if you please. I am doing a Beaufighter from 236 Sqn, a Mk VIC, from early June 1943. What would be the correct combination of rails and rockets? Thanks again, Jim I've found 2 shots of a 236 Sqdn Beaufighter X, from early 1944. It was armed with the Mk 1b projectors (rails) - the flat, tapered rails, and 25 Lb A/P rockets, possibly the earlier Mk 1 warheads, but it is hard to tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahavelona Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Hugely useful thread everyone. I am trying to understand whether a rocket equipped beaufighter would also carry wing machine guns. The bay for the wing MGs could also carry long range fuel tanks, or indeed nothing. I ask because the rocket mounting plate obscures the shell ejection chute holes and it looks like the gun holes in leading edge are filled in the few photos with rockets installed. I am not sure whether the outer fuel tanks would also be carried with rockets or if this loading would be too heavy. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Coastal Beaufighters did not have the wing guns, but extra fuel tanks. Yes, these would be carried with rockets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 The gun ports and the landing light would be plated over, and fuel tanks installed. On the Tamiya kit, don't forget to correct the inaccurate panel lines, and remove the 'battle damage' repair plates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahavelona Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 15 hours ago, Tail-Dragon said: The gun ports and the landing light would be plated over, and fuel tanks installed. On the Tamiya kit, don't forget to correct the inaccurate panel lines, and remove the 'battle damage' repair plates. Thanks for this. I hadn't realised that the landing light would need to be plated over. Do you know why this was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 7 hours ago, mahavelona said: Thanks for this. I hadn't realised that the landing light would need to be plated over. Do you know why this was? As I understand it, the rocket exhaust could destroy the Plexiglas landing light cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahavelona Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 On 14/08/2021 at 15:51, Tail-Dragon said: As I understand it, the rocket exhaust could destroy the Plexiglas landing light cover. Thanks - that makes total sense. It's interesting that the rockets would not just bolt on as you might imagine when building a kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 On 7/8/2021 at 10:16 AM, dov said: Hallo Before you start: Get this book and read. The Armed Rovers: Beauforts and Beaufighters Over the Mediterranean by Roy Conyers Nesbit (Paperback, 2002) Happy modelling It's a good book but only covers the Mediterranean. He did another book covering the UK based Coastal operations, but IIRC wouldn't provide any of the more technical assistance on which aircraft was in what fit when - nor can I think of any other book that would. Andrew Bird had a more recent book but this only covered the later operations from Scotland, and mainly the Mosquitos at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwenS Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 27 minutes ago, Graham Boak said: It's a good book but only covers the Mediterranean. He did another book covering the UK based Coastal operations, but IIRC wouldn't provide any of the more technical assistance on which aircraft was in what fit when - nor can I think of any other book that would. Andrew Bird had a more recent book but this only covered the later operations from Scotland, and mainly the Mosquitos at that. This is his other book on the UK based Beaufighter strike wings. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strike-Wings-Special-Anti-Shipping-Squadrons-ebook/dp/B01MS5VKJC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+strike+wings&qid=1629233860&s=books&sr=1-1 Agreed though, it is more an operational history than a technical one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kiker Posted August 20, 2021 Author Share Posted August 20, 2021 Hi all, Mainly I want to give you all belated thanks for all the information you have provided- thanks! I also have yet another question; namely, when the Coastal Command a/c received those new wing tanks and lost the .303" wing guns, where were the refueling points? Top of the wing over the outward tank? Connected somewhere else to the main fuel system? Anyone have a clue, much less a picture? Thanks in advance, Jim 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