Modelling the Bristol Beaufighter
Some useful model aircraft tips. You can read the full article in Airfix Magazine, November 1968
AS a further example of how left over pieces from one conversion can easily make up into another, I have chosen for my subject this month the Merlin powered version of the Bristol Beaufighter.
Readers will have seen how, starting with the Halifax II conversion, I have been able to use the spare engines to make a Lancaster II and now, to take things to their logical conclusion, am using two of the four discarded Merlin engines from the basic Lancaster kit to power a Beaufighter.
I hope that I have been able to show the beginner that he need not spend a considerable amount of money in order to enlarge his collection and that given patience and some research he can produce excellent replicas without going to the expense of buying several kits to cannibalise into one. Those who have experience in these matters will agree that every item not needed in one kit will eventually come in handy for another. So if you do strike off on your own the golden rule is never to throw things away!
The last two conversions have been relatively simple ones. The Beaufighter II follows this trend as the basic needs for change in this conversion are in the engines and tail unit. There's also some heat treatment of sprue needed, but as this is one of the first things the ab initio conversion enthusiast learns, I have not worried about the inclusion of this type of work.
Beaufighter Ils were used in quantity in the RAF during the early part of World War 2 when there was some doubt about the supply of Hercules engines being maintained. A total of 450 aircraft powered by Merlin XX engines were constructed at Bristol's Filton works and the first production aircraft entered service with Nos 604 and 600 Squadrons in April, 1941. Other units using the Beaufighter II operationally were 25, 125, 255, 307, 406, 456 and 488 Squadrons.
I found the most compact reference for this conversion in the Profile Publication No 137 on the Beaufighter. Photographs, details and three side views are given in colour and in the case of the aircraft belonging to No 54 OTU, Richard Gardner has given a plan view showing the position of the camouflage. Other information can be gleaned from William Green's Fighters of the Second World War. His Famous Fighters' series also deals with the subject fully.
STAGE 1 The two fuselage halves and the wing halves are joined in accordance with kit instructions. These are laid on one side to dry and in the case of the latter this should be for at least 12 hours because joints are apt to part if the full drying out period is not observed.(...)
AS a further example of how left over pieces from one conversion can easily make up into another, I have chosen for my subject this month the Merlin powered version of the Bristol Beaufighter.
Readers will have seen how, starting with the Halifax II conversion, I have been able to use the spare engines to make a Lancaster II and now, to take things to their logical conclusion, am using two of the four discarded Merlin engines from the basic Lancaster kit to power a Beaufighter.
I hope that I have been able to show the beginner that he need not spend a considerable amount of money in order to enlarge his collection and that given patience and some research he can produce excellent replicas without going to the expense of buying several kits to cannibalise into one. Those who have experience in these matters will agree that every item not needed in one kit will eventually come in handy for another. So if you do strike off on your own the golden rule is never to throw things away!
The last two conversions have been relatively simple ones. The Beaufighter II follows this trend as the basic needs for change in this conversion are in the engines and tail unit. There's also some heat treatment of sprue needed, but as this is one of the first things the ab initio conversion enthusiast learns, I have not worried about the inclusion of this type of work.
Beaufighter Ils were used in quantity in the RAF during the early part of World War 2 when there was some doubt about the supply of Hercules engines being maintained. A total of 450 aircraft powered by Merlin XX engines were constructed at Bristol's Filton works and the first production aircraft entered service with Nos 604 and 600 Squadrons in April, 1941. Other units using the Beaufighter II operationally were 25, 125, 255, 307, 406, 456 and 488 Squadrons.
I found the most compact reference for this conversion in the Profile Publication No 137 on the Beaufighter. Photographs, details and three side views are given in colour and in the case of the aircraft belonging to No 54 OTU, Richard Gardner has given a plan view showing the position of the camouflage. Other information can be gleaned from William Green's Fighters of the Second World War. His Famous Fighters' series also deals with the subject fully.
STAGE 1 The two fuselage halves and the wing halves are joined in accordance with kit instructions. These are laid on one side to dry and in the case of the latter this should be for at least 12 hours because joints are apt to part if the full drying out period is not observed.(...)
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