Tamiya's Beaufighter

[woody37]

Having spent the year working in 1/72 scale with lot's of minute parts, thought I'd do something bigger that I bought recently from Angelo (HL-10). Real life has stopped me from doing too much, so this has drip fed over the last few weeks to where it is now. Initially, it was going to be OOB, then decided that cockpit could do with some added detail after looking at pictures of the real thing. This is where it's upto. I've included a few pics of the access doors for Callum who's building one in 1/72 scale, hope they're OK mate. I got the Falcon set that includes transparencies for the kit and my intention is to use them. It will be in the dark earth / mid stone scheme and the plan is to do some airbrush experimentation on panel shading with such big juicy surfaces to work with. The interior scratch building is semi-accurate, however I just wanted that big up front greenhouse to look busier that it was OOB. The seatbelts are made out of some foil with bits of thin plasticard and fine copper wire, again, not very accurate, but enough to give it character. The seat cushion is blue tack pressed to shape using a blunt knife ! A heavy wash was used to bring out the detail.

Thanks for looking,

Neil

[Warris]

Nice work Neil looks a cracking kit

[HL-10]

Stonking work!

So glad you took it off my hands!

The level of detail is fantastic.

Most impressive

I was at Duxford yesterday and I saw the near complete Beau they're working on there.

[Jim Starling]

Lookin' good so far!

[Col.]

Nice start

[tank152]

Nice work so far Neil.

[andy wood]

The Tamiya kit is such an effortless build, isn't it?

[Dave Gibson]

I believe that some/all of those square raised bits on the wing are actually repairs and should probably be removed.

Others may supply better information.

Dave.

[chaddy]

Nice work...as always Neil.

Cheers

[Forlornhope]

This is awesome Neil, did you add the tubey thing running down the starboard side of the fuselage? and thanx for the pics of the access hatch inside and out takes a bit of the "what the hell am I doing" feeling out of my build (not that I have done bugger all yet) I'm sure your Beau will inspire me to get stuck in, looking forward to seeing more

regards

Callum

[woody37]

Unfortunately nit taken many pictures, but it's now in the paint shop. The Falcon canopy set has been used as the kit parts are rather thick and the Eduard masks have been used because I'm lazy !

One of my goals with this build is to experiment with the airbrush to achieve post shading. Inspired by some great painters on here, there is much to be learned.The azure blue is on the bottom - Xtracrylic, although it has been lightened up using white. Once the base coat was on, the mix was lightened more and selective areas sprayed to get some panel variations. This is a great kit, I really like the way you can drop the whole u/c in at the end. I've also attacked the kit with the riveter, but these probably won't show up until I get a wash on at the end.

[dekenba]

I do like that cockpit detailing. Brings out the detailing really well without being too heavy.

[stringbag]

Cracking job on that paintwork Neil. Classic case of less being more.

I'm sure your eyes will appreciate the rest after your previous 1/72nd scale build.

All the best Matey.

Chris.

[woody37]

Thanks guys.

There hasn't been many pics taken throughout the build, but the camo is now on along with most of the weathering and it's onto the detailing. Had a few strange problems with decals bubbling after applying the decal setter which hasn't happened before.

[stringbag]

Bloody 'ell Neil: What a cracking job on that camo.

Chris.

[HL-10]

Stunning paint job!

The weathering is fantastic.

Great work

[Mike]

Very nice job on the weathered camo Neil - having heard you talk about this a few times, I've been waiting to see it

[Jim Starling]

The camo is perfect. Outstandig effort on postshading.

I have an A-20 in the same colors and it doesn't look half as good.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Jim Starling

[chaddy]

Had a few strange problems with decals bubbling after applying the decal setter which hasn't happened before.

Neil, out of interest, what decals, setter and paint were you using that caused problems?

Cheers

[phildagreek]

Nice.

[woody37]

Thanks guys. Quite enjoying the larger size of parts, who knows, 1/48 scale might catch on in the modelling community

Chaddy, it's the kit decals and daco decal setting solution. Whether there's been a reaction from the Kleer I used to seal everything, I don't know. Impatience may of been a contributing factor !

The camo was applied using lightened Xtracrylics to accommodate scale, then the colours were lightened again and the panels sprayed to give a sunbleached effect. The darker areas were done using pastel shading, all sealed with humbrol matt varnish in a can. The decals were sunbleached with a very diluted mid stone, however to stop it from running on impact, I sprayed it with an electric fan blowing on it which works really well. I'm quite pleased with how the cockpit sunblind turned out in the end.

Cheers, Neil

[Greased Lightning]

Making a splendid job of her Neil.

[Sean1968]

Looking very nice indeed!

[viper108]

sir youve made a cracking job this kit brilliant

[chaddy]

Thanks guys. Quite enjoying the larger size of parts, who knows, 1/48 scale might catch on in the modelling community

Chaddy, it's the kit decals and daco decal setting solution. Whether there's been a reaction from the Kleer I used to seal everything, I don't know. Impatience may of been a contributing factor !

The camo was applied using lightened Xtracrylics to accommodate scale, then the colours were lightened again and the panels sprayed to give a sunbleached effect. The darker areas were done using pastel shading, all sealed with humbrol matt varnish in a can. The decals were sunbleached with a very diluted mid stone, however to stop it from running on impact, I sprayed it with an electric fan blowing on it which works really well. I'm quite pleased with how the cockpit sunblind turned out in the end.

Cheers, Neil

Thanks for the info Neil. It's looking a real treat. It's going to look outstanding when finished.

Cheers