1:72 Bristol Beaufort Mk.I Aeroflame, A&AEE, 1943

[Dunny]

Hi All,

 

My latest completion is Airfix' lovely little Beaufort, with a rather unusual twist. Whilst idly looking at schemes I came across the top right option:

Yes, an experimental prototype of an airborne flamethrower, evaluated by the A&AEE at Boscombe Down in 1943! Interest fully piqued I did some further research which led to this video:

 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060021056

 

Although this never went into production I couldn't resist such an unusual concept. I designed and 3D printed the flamethrower assembly, along with the Yagi antennae fitted to the aircraft - I also cut the markings using a Silhouette cutter. Here's the tank design:

 

 

 

The video included a wealth of information on the flamethrower which was invaluable in the design process. Other than this the model was OOB, albeit with an Eduard mask set. Anyway, on with the photos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a final shot with the rest of the growing Beaufort family:

 

 

It's been nice to add an unusual twist to this kit which I just do not tire of building, and how many can say they've got an airborne flamethrower on the shelf?! Thanks to all those who have offered support and encouragement along the way - it has been sincerely appreciated,

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

[Drakendk]

Wow! It looks absolutely amazing 🙂

 

[bigbadbadge]

Looks awesome Roger, love the scheme and the flame thrower adds such great interest too. Great work on the model and the 3D printing .

Chris

[Dunny]

5 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said:

Looks awesome Roger, love the scheme and the flame thrower adds such great interest too. Great work on the model and the 3D printing .

Chris

Thanks very much Chris - a bit of a twist on this most pleasurable of kits to build!

1 hour ago, Drakendk said:

Wow! It looks absolutely amazing 🙂

 

Thanks very much!

[Jonners]

What a fantastic result! Superbly modelled and very realistically finished. There can't be many other modellers who have chosen that decal option and included the extra hardware!

Jon

[Dunny]

5 minutes ago, Jonners said:

What a fantastic result! Superbly modelled and very realistically finished. There can't be many other modellers who have chosen that decal option and included the extra hardware!

Jon

Thanks for the kind words Jon - much appreciated!

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Amazing modelling skills. well done sir!! The themed collection is coming along nicely.

Colin

[Dunny]

2 hours ago, ColinChipmunkfan said:

Amazing modelling skills. well done sir!! The themed collection is coming along nicely.

Colin

You are most kind Colin - thank you!

[kapam]

A brilliant collection!  Testament to a skilled modeler.

The flame-thrower addition is an interesting concept - thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[Dunny]

8 minutes ago, kapam said:

A brilliant collection!  Testament to a skilled modeler.

The flame-thrower addition is an interesting concept - thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Thanks for the kind words!

[KeithA]

Stunning! Really interesting variant too - I've not seen this before.

[Dunny]

1 hour ago, KeithA said:

Stunning! Really interesting variant too - I've not seen this before.

Thanks for the kind words Keith!

[Andy Dyck]

That’s a perfect fleet! Very nice done….

 

all the best 

Andy 

[georgeusa]

An interesting concept for a weapon, but from the video, it doesn't look too effective.  Hopefully this led to some sort of naplam development which I can attest is truly effective and downright scary to be around.  Great looking Beaufort with a unique twist.  Thanks for sharing the build and the video.

[Robin-42]

Great work and a unique variant. I just watched a video of a Ukrainian drone incinerating a hedgerow. What’s old, is new again.

[Dunny]

6 hours ago, Andy Dyck said:

That’s a perfect fleet! Very nice done….

 

all the best 

Andy 

Thanks very much Andy!

3 hours ago, georgeusa said:

An interesting concept for a weapon, but from the video, it doesn't look too effective.  Hopefully this led to some sort of naplam development which I can attest is truly effective and downright scary to be around.  Great looking Beaufort with a unique twist.  Thanks for sharing the build and the video.

Thanks George - I'm sure it sowed the seed...

47 minutes ago, Robin-42 said:

Great work and a unique variant. I just watched a video of a Ukrainian drone incinerating a hedgerow. What’s old, is new again.

Thanks Robin - how right you are!

[Sky Keg]

Roger…….a flame thrower Beaufort?!?!?!   What`s not to like about it??? It is a great addition to your growing collection of Beauforts and your`s is certainly an inspiration to me.  Well done sir!!!!! 

 

Mike

[Dunny]

21 minutes ago, Sky Keg said:

Roger…….a flame thrower Beaufort?!?!?!   What`s not to like about it??? It is a great addition to your growing collection of Beauforts and your`s is certainly an inspiration to me.  Well done sir!!!!! 

 

Mike

Thanks for the kind words Mike!

[AliGauld]

A fantastic and beautiful build.

The finish and build are your usual top quality.

3d printed bits too, you are just showing off now. 

 

A pleasure to behold.

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[Dunny]

On 19/09/2024 at 20:05, AliGauld said:

A fantastic and beautiful build.

The finish and build are your usual top quality.

3d printed bits too, you are just showing off now. 

 

A pleasure to behold.

 

Cheers,

Alistair

You are too kind Mr G - thank you!

[russ c]

Great looking Beaufort and scratch work there, Really nice collection too

[Dunny]

7 hours ago, russ c said:

Great looking Beaufort and scratch work there, Really nice collection too

Thanks very much Russ!

[corsaircorp]

Damn !!

How did I manage to miss all this ??

Geat build Roger !!

Airborne flame thrower....

They didn't lacked ideas.....

Now that you took a foot firmly on the Elegoo world, I wait for a 1/48 Blackburn Blackburn.... 

Just saying.....

Congratulations Man !!!

Sincerely.

CC

[MACALAIN]

Well done.

 

Alain

[Dunny]

On 22/09/2024 at 22:45, corsaircorp said:

Damn !!

How did I manage to miss all this ??

Geat build Roger !!

Airborne flame thrower....

They didn't lacked ideas.....

Now that you took a foot firmly on the Elegoo world, I wait for a 1/48 Blackburn Blackburn.... 

Just saying.....

Congratulations Man !!!

Sincerely.

CC

Ha ha - maybe Alain! Now that was an ugly beast...

On 23/09/2024 at 02:43, MACALAIN said:

Well done.

 

Alain

Thanks very much Alain!