started the Classic Airframes kit for the BoB GB: it’s a real b*tch if you are used to tamiya shake’n’bake etc… lots of sanding (and swearing!)…
one question about the defiant: along the spine of the fuselage behind the turret, there is what looks like a piece which is lowered to allow a full traverse of the turret.
am i right here? was this lowered during combat?
if so, does anyone have any pics of it in this position, as i haven’t been able to find any.
kind regards,
Nicholas
Try www.petergoodearl.co.uk/ airdays/raf50/defiant.jpg – hosho.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/…/ img09/Defiant_1.jpg – www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/ images/27oct2_t.jpg
Yes, the Defiant did have that section of the spine lowerable for combat and so the turret could traverse. I think it was in the raised position for aerodynamic reasons during take off and landings.
As for the photos, if you put “Boulton Paul aircraft” in the search box of any search engine, you should get a multitude of sites with lots of nice pictures. It seems Boulton Paul aircraft have quite a following of enthusiasts many of whom have set up web sites.
Yes - it was raised/lowered - as did the fore fairing apparently. I have some pictures but they are photo copies - not originals. However if you like to email me your postal address I will make copies for you. As you know there is a Defiant in Hendon. The Book Turret Fighters has a few pictures. Apparently it was not unkown for the Gunner to depress the guns in the forward facing positon and with the fairing extended thwy could not move - but could be fired - rather unnerving for the pilot and not much good for the prop. I have to say that the Hendon example in the area of the fairings looks pretty crude. Suspect they were ply wood and fabric?
Just a note, I’ve built the CA Mk.II defiant, one thing I found with it is that the turret sits a little too high if you fit it like it’s supposed to, I took off some of the resine base of the turret to make it sit lower. I agree the kit is a fair bit of work but I didn’t use nearly as much filler on it as I did when I built the CA Fairey Battle, now that was some work! (also the back section of the main canopy has a peice that lowers to allow the guns to move slightly foward at a high angle, though I think even abitious folks would leave that alone on that kit.) (I’m talking the retooled defiant by the way)
Which version of the kit are you building, the old one or the newer retooled kit?
thanks for all the help guys.
i saw the bi about the turret sitting high in a review (hyperscale?) and will take note.
i also didn’t thik the control panel is even close to fitting in the cockpit (the piece which faces the pilot, sitting on top of the 2 side panels); i just had to butcher it, but luckily it doesn’t really show.
i am building the new tool version, the one with the slightly slimmed fuselage.
thanks,
N