48 BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER M k.X
the fit was, a little clean-up was
still necessary. A tiny amount
of Gunze Mr. Surfacer was used
around the leading edges and
along the bottom of both wings...
just enough to make the join look
like the panel lines around it. On
one wing, the fairing was a touch
too proud towards the rear, which
required a little sanding to match
the other side. All of this assembly
had been made slightly easier
by not attaching the belly part
until this stage, and although it
might have sounded an involved
process, it actually only took
a few minutes. The belly panel
and nose cone were then added,
neither of which needed any more
than light sanding across the
glued join for a great finish. If
there has been one consistently
impressive aspect regarding new-
tool Airfix kits, it’s the ingenious
engineering solutions. The layout
of the tailplanes for this kit
was certainly that; looking like
refugees straight from the parts
catalogue of the real thing, they
slotted neatly into place. Despite
the very complicated-looking join
line of the fin in particular, the
layout of the tabs and fittings
meant that everything fell into
place beautifully.
The last major construction
concerned the interchangeable
Bristol Hercules engines and
nacelles, and here assembly
deviated from the instructions,
as the exhaust rings were kept
separate, to ease painting. It was
critical to ensure proper alignment
at this stage...and this
was made simple by
more of Airfix’s cleverAFTER-MARKET
AS IT SHOULD BE
Since this test shot was issued
too early to include kit decals,
Aviaeology’s 404 Squadron
Beaufighters sheet (AOD72010)
was used instead. The quality of
these was simply stunning, with
a depth of research that put
many a reference title to shame.
Detailed drawings and at least
one photo of the actual aircraft
were provided for each subject.
As if this wasn’t enough, further
notes detailed aerial fits, colours,
markings, armament and even a
potted history of the individual
aircraft. Thankfully the quality
of the decals themselves matched
the immaculate research, even
down to thoughtfully designed
carrier film outlines and tiny
stencils for the rocket rails!
http://www.aviaeology.comBristol Hercules engines and
nacelles, and here assembly
deviated from the instructions,
as the exhaust rings were kept
separate, to ease painting. It was
critical to ensure proper alignment
at this stage...and this
was made simple by
more of Airfix’s cleverAS IT SHOULD BE
was used instead. The quality of
these was simply stunning, withmany a reference title to shame.As if this wasn’t enough, further
notes detailed aerial fits, colours,of the decals themselves matchedCyanoacrylate was used as glue and filler combined to join the fuselage halves, as
this avoided any hairline seam issues. The separate belly section was test-fitted and
left off until after the wings were attached.Separate inserts were provided for the underside of the tailplane and these
assembled in a seamless manner. While the complex joins on the fin suggested
trouble, in fact they too fitted perfectly.The wings were simple two-
part affairs, with integral
wheel bays. Note that the
landing lamp was filled and
scribed, as this was plated
over in rocket-armed aircraft.http://www.aviaeology.com46-51_Beaufighter.CC.indd 48 19/03/2015 14:59