I picked this up for practically nothing on EvilBay, and once I started it, I can see why…[V] I decided that it would be a good candidate for a scratchbuilt front office, as it didn’t have anything except decals for instruments… here are a couple of pics of the results thus far - not “rivet counting” accurate, just wanted to give it some visual interest- I used the decals as a template and locator to arrive at this:
Here are the same pieces plus the engines painted and detailed a bit:
And the cockpit sidewalls with alittle plumbing added:
And here is the fuselage buttoned up
and the port wing installed - the wing is a 3 part affair that is a real p.i.t.a. to get together!
As always, constructive comments and criticism are always welcome!
I’m with you- generally don’t superdetail cockpits as long as I can closely approximate the detail. Looks like you’re well on your way here. Just looking at the instructions with the wing parts broken down like they are gives me the heebie-jeebies. Good luck with that one Brian! [tup]
Well it’s definately looking good so far, Brian! I never did like getting a kit- only to find out that its IP was just a decal. It seems… I dunno, a little too second dimensional for my tastes[:-^]
That was the exact kit that got me back into the hobby back in '95. I had always liked the Beaufighter as a youngster but had never encountered a model of it any where. The stores in my area always seemed to stock the same Monogram and Revell kits but I don’t recall ever seeing the Beaufighter. So in '95 when I saw it on a shelf at a KMart, I snapped it up (and threw in 5 other kits for good measure), and my journey to the Dark Side, er, wrong movie, my return to the hobby was complete.
Built that very kit not 4 months ago. I’d been carryin’ it around for 15 years in my various moves, finally decided to tackle it… It went together pretty well, the wings were a breeze with the locking tabs… The only real issue was the “removable” cowling panels…
I, too, super-detailed the cockpits, and am the only one who knows that… With the yoke in place, the panel is next to invisible except for a the small areas below the yoke on each side. I may yet pop it off and cut open the hatch… Can’t see anything in the rear cockpit…
If I had it to do over again, I’d still detail the front cockpit, but I’d re-do the seat-pan. The Beau didn’t have that “padded” seat, it had a pan-type seat that the seatpack parachute fit into with the pilot inserting a cushion between his ‘chute-pack and arse… Same with the R/O’s seat… I’d also convert it to an FAA “Torbeau” and vac a new rear “bubble” to mount the .303 “scare-gun”… Overall, the Revell Beau is a good kit (especially for 1974) that is a scratch-builder’s delight… Those radials and the great-big wheel bays are just beggin’ for it… One thing I found during it’s construction was that the gear is rather fragile, so watch out for that. Once they’re together and mounted and the cement is FULLY cured, they hold up well… Just make sure that the glue is SET before you put the plane on it’s feet…
Hammer, soooo what you’re saying is you’ve already completed it?
I’ve only got a photo opf my old one as the model is long gone now.
This is an Polaroid photo of mine on my parents driveway in front of some juniper bushes. Polariod’s were swell. Instant photography. (OMG from the olden’ days… HA!) I used to switch up the household vacuum cleaner and make it blow my propellors around for shots like these. Great fun.
When I built mine back in the '70s. (Revell 1/32) I cut the radar operator’s head off and reattached it so he was looking out the side. (my first modified figure!)
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! This is actually a fun and challenging build, giving me a good workout of my meager skills!
Frank, I agree with you on superdetailing, but I just can’t abide a 'pit with just a decal or worse, nothing at all, it’s like waving a red flag in front of a bull…
Sean, thanks for the pic, I have a color version of that view - man, that 'pit is sure COLORFUL…
Roger, thanks, bro, btw, is the Patrol stuck with that HH-60 now instead of the Hughes 600s and NOTARS?
Steven, apparently this is a very in-demand kit, so I guess I got lucky - only one other bidder and no “war” in the last minute. The kit cost less than the shipping $11 total!
Hans, I hear what you are saying, but you know the work is there, and that is what it’s all about to me. Having seen your work, I am very impressed and really appreciate your input - I never thought about the FAA version, just the RAF.
Trexx, that is acool idea for the prop spin, and it looks so great in a pic…I gotta try that!
If I’m not mistaken, the Patrol has nothing but the 600s. Ever since they created CBP, the -60s are flown by customs guys in blue uniform.
At least that’s what I understand. But don’t quote me on it[;)]
Either way, I’ll be getting my fill of the Blackhawk once I get back to drilling status with the Guard. But I have seen kits of the -60s in Customs markings. I’ve got the rolodex spinning in my mind on that one…
I vaguely remember coming across an AM site that sold generic instrument decals and bezels in various scales for cockpit scratchbuilders. But for the life of me, I can’t seem to find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Sounds like that would be just the thing for a project like this.
With the growing popularity of the 1/32 Revell Beaufighter, maybe someone will come up with a line of AM to add some much-needed detail to the cockpit. Here’s hoping!
When I left SDC for WRODDP, we had mostly 'Nam surplus OH-6As, two NOTARs, one A-Star and a couple of Hueys. No one wanted to fly the A-Star or NOTARs, and few liked the huey (too big for patrol duty), so I have nearly all my observer time in them…sure do miss flying up the canyons at night…
I think you might be remembering Waldron, or possibly Mike Grant (Excellent decal instruments). Waldron was bought out by Brookhurst Hobbies http://www.brookhursthobbies.com/, I believe, and Mike Grant is still in business and has a good website http://www.mikegrantdecals.com/
Keep an eye on Model Design Construction; a gentleman, by the name of Derek Bradshaw, is working on a Beaufighter interior (plus Spitfire 1/32nd 21/22/24 wings, and a 1/32nd Tempest V.)
I wouldn’t say completed, since it’s still got a diorama to go into, but it’s 99%… Needs new decals and the weathering needs to be completed, but yeah, the build is done…
