Hi all
To bring you up to speed with progress, I have been cleaning up the seams and sink marks. I have added a flare chute and removed the trim tab actuators from the top surface of the elevators. I'll replace these on the bottom when I have finished sanding. The kit fits together very well, and I've used only a few dabs of "Mr Surfacer" along a few of the joins to get things up to scratch. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before the first coat of paint is on.
Pic 1 Reference photo ( Source: S.Mackenzie, Ventura Publications Classic Warbirds Number 6) Beaufighter 21 A8-123 SK-S "Paddy". Flying Officer K.G. Shirley, pilot and Flight Sergeant G.W. Douglas, navigator stand in front of the plane that gave Stan Evill so much trouble on the return to Australia. It was flown back over the Owen Stanley Ranges with the wheels down, due to a fault whilst escorting some shark mouth spitfires home. Unfortunately, it couldn't keep up with them in that state and the Spitfires led the way into Port Morseby!
The history of this aircraft is given on the adf-serials website as follows: -
10/01/45 1 AD. 31/01/45 93 Sqn Kingaroy. One of the first five Beaufighters delivered to 93 Sqn Jan 45. Code: SK-S (photo Ventura p.21) – 26/07/45 One of two aircraft (the other was A8-87) to participate in first 93 Sqn strike; an armed reconnaissance with a rocket attack on a Japanese residency building at Sibu. Crewed by Pilot FLGOFF K.G. Shirley and Nav FLTSGT G.S. Douglas. Minor small arms damage (Ventura p.5-6). 11/09/45 detailed to participate in 12 aircraft show of strength over Kucing but bogged when taxiing for takeoff at Labuan (Ventura p.17). 06/11/45 5 AD ground-looped at Forest Hill Aerodrome Wagga Wagga to avoid boundary fence and port under-carriage collapsed. A8-123 was repaired. 13/11/45 stored. Struck Off 08/08/49.
All very interesting. The reason I picked this photo was the flare chute for the aircraft is clearly seen just to the left of Keith Shirley's right elbow (above the entry door). This leads into the Navigators compartment, and it is a feature not present on the Tamiya kit. It's easy to add, by drilling a hole in the correct location.
Pic 2 Hole drilled in the correct location.8)
Pic 3 I removed the trim tab actuators from the elevators. They will be replaced below with card and sprue in due course.
Pic 4 Another photos of A8-123. (Source: Aviation Heritage Museum of WA) Probably taken at Labuan Island shortly before returning to Australia.
Pics 5,6 7 Taken at RAAF Station Wagga, Australia, this is incident referred to. (Source: these are all via Stan Evill).