**** DONE: 1/48 Beaufighter Mk.21 - Heavy Hitters II GB

[rochie]

Good stuff Vic, left the rockets off mine as the Tamiya ones are rubbish

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

same here too..

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff Vic. The RPs would depend on the target type, and there were three types - the 60lb HE head (that's the bulbous one), 25lb SAP HE, which was not as bulbous, and the 'slim' one, the AP round, which looked similar to the American HVAR, but was a smaller diameter. The latter were normally use on anti-shipping ops, sometimes with a mix of these and 60lb HE or 25lb SAP HE.
From what I remember, the kit provides the AP rounds, and if you need them, I have some good close up photos showing the RPs, the mounting saddles and rails, and the 'pig tail' ignition leads.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks Guys and thanks for the offer Terry but I'm right for pics, even have one with mixed rockets and the pig tails.

 

[A4K]

Nice work Vic!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks Even.

Been messing with RE again, this time in the wheel bays. A couple of before and after shots.

Haven't as yet married the fuselage to the main wing spar but it 's a damn good fit with just a little gap on the starboard rear wing area. Not a big problem when the time comes.

Now I'm turning my attention to the undercarriage legs, from the pics I have, a little improvement won't go amiss, so I've made a start. Hope to get these sorted tomorrow after the daily chores, got to keep the little lady happy.

 

[rochie]

looks good Vic

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks Karl.

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff Vic. Here's a couple of undercarriage pics to add to your collection, posted earlier in the other Beau thread. This is the Aussie bird at Duxford.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks mate, there's a lot of extras in there.

 

[Airframes]

The majority of it is hidden from view up in the forward wheel well Vic, and won't be seen even if the model is turned upside down. That ring-like thing, on the left of the retraction jack in the photos is, as far as a know, a safety lock, and wouldn't be fitted normally. It'll be there to prevent the jack folding back if the aircraft is moved, whilst under restoration.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

I figured that could be the case on that ringie looking thing as it looks as though it would have been snapped off on undercart retraction. I'm not thinking of inside the wheel bay cause as you say, it's all hidden, but all that hydraulic piping on the exposed leg looks challenging.

I also note on the model what looks like a couple of wheel locking pads at the rear of the upper wheel bay but have not been able to track any pics looking deep enough it the bay. Any thoughts!

 

[A4K]

Great work Vic, and great pics again Terry!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks Even.

 

[Airframes]

Which parts do you mean Vic? I can't get to my Tamiya model at the moment to have a look, and the instruction sheet is stored 'somewhere safe' !

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Terry, I was thinking about these two things moulded into the back of each wheel bay part.

 

[Airframes]

Ah! Now I understand. I think I might have seen something similar, in the form of a contoured 'wall' or well, where the wheel sits when retracted. Probably not exactly like the kit moulding, and i guess it's done like that for ease of making the tool.
Must have seen it in a photo somewhere, so I'll have a search. Might have been in a borrowed book though - can't remember as it was about six years ago, when I built the Tamiya kit. Or it might have been on the Beau at Duxford, although I didn't get a photo - was more concerned with the undercart legs etc.

 

[woody]

Nice work Vic.

 

[fubar57]

Looking right smart.

Geo