1/48 Tamiya Bristol Beaufighter

Gallery Article by Alan Williamson on Aug 26 2003

 

History
In the late 1930’s the RAF faced with a shortage of fighter planes, used that of the fuselage of the Beaufort bombers to start a short-term construction of the twin-engine Bristol Beaufighter. The first Beaufighter took it’s first maiden flight in 1939, and through out W.W.II took on many various roles which included interception, bombing, and anti-ship warfare.Australia put in an order for the Beaufighter in 1939, and deliveries of the Beaufighter started in 1942. The last example arrived in Australia during July 1944, by then production of the Australian Beaufighter by the Department of Aircraft Productions (DAP) was under way. The first Australian Beaufighter was flown in May 1944, and deliveries to the RAAF began the following month. A total of 365 (DAP) Beaufighters were built between June 1944 and January 1946. However 364 made service with the RAAF with one, Beaufighter damage beyond repair. The Australian Beaufighter,s were powered by Two 1,725hp Bristol Hercules XVIII piston engines.

Australian Beaufighter operations took place in Europe; these began in 1941 and were based in England. Australian Beaufighter took place in anti shipping strikes in conjunction with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The RAAF Beaufighter also started operations in the Pacific war in 1942 with 30 Squadron in New Guinea and 31 Squadron in north-west Australia, other RAAF Squadrons equipped with Beaufighters also took part in the Pacific theater.

 

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The Kit No.64
This model was built OOB with the exception of the seat belts, decals and antenna wire. Tamiya has but together a nice package to build a Night Fighter Bristol Beaufighter MK.VI, however the kit series No.64 comes with all the extra parts to make it and RAAF Beaufighter. Note the RAAF decals are not included.

Construction
This model is quite straightforward to assemble with few parts, there is room for improvement on the cockpit and radio operator compartments although once the canopies are placed on it then makes it hard to see into the compartments. I found that there was little filler needed on this kit, however some light sanding was required to abolish the seam lines. Other than that the kit went together quite nice.

Painting and finish
The Finish was done using Humbrol paints metal cote for the base, green on top and gray underneath, some chip affect was done to the paint for that slight wear and tear, followed by Humbrol gloss clear. The decals were then placed onto the kit followed by another cote of gloss clear, matt clear some pastel for grime and a last cote of matt clear to seal the pastel.

This particular model, doses not represent any particular RAAF Beaufighter flown, for there are no RAAF decals to go with this kit.

Photos
The photos were taken with a canon digital camera, however the camera has picked up dust on the model especially with the close ups.

Alan Williamson

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Photos and text © by Alan Williamson