**** DONE: 1/48 Beaufighter Mk.VI - Defense of Britain/Atlantic.

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Just a quick update today. Finished installing the back seater's instrument panel, the rear underside hatch and the grey coloured tubing from front cockpit to rear seater. What is this rather large tube/pipe for?












Cheers,

Jeff
 
Nice work Jeff. That grey tubing (actually an 'off white' on the real aircraft) was the heater ducting for the poor old Nav/operator in the back, and I think it was actually asbestos - no Health and Safety inspectors around in those days !!
If your kite is radar equipped, then the actual radar (or A.I. to be correct for the period) monitor was located aft of the Nav's seat, with the screens, buried under a rubber shroud, facing forward, which meant the operator had to swivel his seat to face aft to use the set.
Here's a couple of diagrams and pics from my 1/32nd scale scratch-built effort for the MTO GB a few years back, which may help.
The object on top of the radar monitor is a pair of infra-red binoculars.
 

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Steady progress has been made today. This model has most of the major assemblies completed first in the building phase. Lots of the smaller sub-assemblies are to come.

The tail has been joined to the fuselage.



The rear access hatch has been set into the fuselage and is "operational."



The hole for the radar antenna have been drilled out in the leading edge and the wing assembly has been completed.



Underside of the wing.



There was a gap so it had to be filled.



In order to get an idea of the overall size the fuselage has been dry fit to the wing assembly.





Looks like a bit more putty may be required but we will find out for sure when I glue these pieces together.

I need to do a bit of filling under the nose end of the fuselage and a bit of sanding to take away a couple of rough spots but overall I am pleased with the way the kit has come together.

I have had this it in my stash for about 18 months and when I first got it it looked daunting but with the experience gained in previous builds I like the challenge and look forward to it.

I have removed the elevator actuator rods/housing from the top side of the tailplane and will attempt to scratch build the rods for installation on the bottom side of same.



Cheers,

Jeff
 
The landing gear/undercarriage has been completed and has been dry fit to the engine nacelles. What a great fit, solid as a rock.
The wing has been dry fit to the fuselage to have her "stand" on her own legs. Lots of work to do still, sanding, filling etc but she is really starting to take shape.

The gear will come off and will not be reattached until after painting is completed.









Tossed the Mossie in to give a size comparison.



Cheers,

Jeff
 
Props are done and canopies have been masked off. I love the way the lower edges of the canopy come down over the lip of the fuselage. Makes for a much better fit and look than if it rested along the top rail of the fuselage. ( IMHO )







Cheers,

Jeff
 

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