****DONE: 1/32nd scale Beaufighter VIF, 46 Sqn RAF, Egypt 1943 Group Build

[javlin]

Did someone just turn up the heat in the MTO build some fine work there Terry.The pit is awesome.Big cheers there bucko Kevin

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Kevin !

 

[109ROAMING]

Bloody beaut work mate! ( btw ,my scanners being a right whore ,will see if I can photograph those pages for ya this afternoon ,hopefully be with you soon )

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Daniel, and there's no rush on the info on 'Our Man', as I'm off to Czech Republic this week, back on Wednesday night, 3 September.
The cockpit has now been fitted, and the ammo tanks made and fitted, along with the radar transmitter, receiver and main control box. The AI MkIV radar indicator unit and its wiring has been scratch-built and fitted to the rear of the Observer's position, in the rear fuselage. The ammo tanks are just rough boxes, with yellow 'scribble' to represent the stencilled loading instructions, as these will only just be visible, more shadow than anything else, from the cockpit and rear hatch. Llikewise with the main radar equipment in the fuselage mid section .
PICS 1 and 2 show the cockpit attached to the starboard fuselage half, with the heating duct connected. Once the fuselage has been joined, holes will be drilled, above the instrument panel, to accept the scratch-built mounting bracket for the gunsight.
PIC 3 is a general view down the fuselage, with the ammo tanks forward, and the 'black boxes' of the radar gear on the left. These are yet to be properly fixed to align with the fuselage wall.
PIC 4. this is the scratch-built radar indicator unit, or radar scope. The pic was taken when the paint was still wet, and the tuning and brightness control knobs etc are still in need of touch-up.
PICS 5 and 6. A photograph of an actual AI MkIV unit, in the cramped confines of a Mosquito cockpit. The object on top of the unit is a pair of 'night' binoculars, not normally carried in the Observer's station of the Beaufighter, as the position was restrivtive for their use. The diagram shows the layout of the 'black boxes' and the radar scope.
The next step is to fit the tail wheel strut, then join the fuselage halves. That will be it for now, as I need to finish the PTO Avenger before going on holiday next week.
Thanks once again for your kind comments.
Cheers,
Terry.

 

[Heinz]

Great work Terry!

Have a good time on your trip!

 

[109ROAMING]

With Alex ,great work and have a good trip mate!

Scans will be in your inbox upon your return

 

[Wurger]

 

[Lucky13]

Looking tits old boy!

 

[Wayne Little]

Beautiful Terry! have a great trip mate!

 

[Airframes]

Thanks very much guys, on both counts. And thanks Daniel, I owe you one!

 

[rochie]

excellent detail Terry

 

[Airframes]

Thanks mate.

 

[Micdrow]

Looken good there Terry!!!

 

[lesofprimus]

Nice lookin work man, have fun with the boys on ur trip Terry....

 

[Micdrow]

Any updates old boy and by the way welcome back from your vacation!!!

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Paul. Now that I've just about caught up with everything, I hope to get back to work on the Beau early this week.
I had a minor set-back, when my desk lamp blew up! It means I can't see properly, as I'm in my own shadow from the main, overhead lighting. I bought a new lamp yesterday, but it's a much use a two candles on a stick! Hopefully, an electrician friend is going to try to 'rebuild' my old 'anglepoise' lamp. It was a bit annoying that it went 'bang' - after all, it was only 30 years old!!

 

[dirkpitt289]

Airframes

I've never come across a Beaufighter before. I've heard it mentioned but never seen one. I just caught up with your build and despite not being able to see all the photos I'm really enjoying the build. There is nothing like watching a skilled modeler scratch building...

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Dirk, but I wouldn't call myself skilled - cut, stick and hope it works, maybe!!

 

[Lucky13]

Don't sell yourself short old boy!

 

[DBII]

great work

DBII