Colin Leighfield Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 It looks really good Robert, if ever there was a distinctive looking plane, this was it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wright Stuff Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Hi Robert, I've had a good read through this thread and I agree that this looks like a stunning build. I can't wait to see pictures of it in the air - a most underrated aircraft! I remember building the Airfix version well! Quick question you might know the answer to. Did any versions of the Beaufighter ever wear invasion stripes while deployed with RAF Fighter Command? Or had they all been transferred to Coastal Command by 1944? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 There is a photo here **LINK** of a Beaufighter Mk X - NT950 of 236 Sqd wearing Invasion Stripes..... Now going back to seething with jealously at the build....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 Hi Colin, It certainly is distinctive and coming along well, now it's down to the finer detailing, fuel proofing and fitting out. Hi The wright stuff, I'm afraid that I do not know is my simple answer. Hi Dave, Thank's for the photo, I did ponder on invasion strips but decided against them as some recent models of the Beaufighter had appeared in recent months and I like something a little different. There's no need being jealous, buy the plan and some balsa, not too difficult to build you know. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Hi All, Just a quick up date on a little that I have managed to do. I now have a crew of installed and a bit of cockpit detail, engines and fuel tanks fitted throttle throws checked and working together in harmony, retracts re-installed (the wing is getting heavy now) and all linkages fully working. cockpit panel. I have left out the section of floor to help position the flight pack in the nose Pilot finally in place, the cockpit is too open to leave it empty Navigator / gunner On order are the decals and the flight battery I've gone for 2no 6 volt packs to help with the retracts as well as a backup battery. I will finish her soon Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Price 2 Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Would fly with those guys anytime!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Hi All, I have balanced the beau and had to play about with the position of the battery pack and added 20 grams to the tail. This does not change with the gear raised or lowered and with or without the torpedo as I have mounted it on the C o G point The battery pack shown on the plans is right behind the nose block, as I have fitted a pair of "46"s instead of the .25's the battery pack is now attached to the bulkhead behind the pilot. After several tests on the undercarriage operation I am only using one of the 6 volt 2500mAH battery packs and after 20 cycles of the gear the battery pack still has loads of capacity left. Whilst testing all of the channels were plugged in and the sticks waggled to simulate flight conditions. Of course in actual flying, once up and once down per flight is the norm. I have made some decals and I am still waiting for the main decals to arrive, then I think were done and dusted with the build along with a final photo shoot before flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark a Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Should one of your main gears not fully retract the motor may well drain the flight battery in no time. If its got its own power supply you won't loose the model. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 It looks great Robert. The full size was difficult to hold straight on the ground and could ground loop easily, I don't know if your model might be sensitive that way, but might be worth bearing in mind for your first flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Hi Mark, The e-Flite units have a built in overload current protection system which if the unit is stalled it will shut down until the retracts are cycled again, where the unit will kick back into life. Hi Colin, Thank's for that I'll bear that in mind come the day. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 "V" for Victory, Finally finished the Beaufighter Here are the photos and a thank you to Tim from Model Markings who supplied me with the decals after I had been let down from my usual supplier. Yes I had to add weight to the tail 20g's to balance her I made the water slide decals Spring loaded torpedo drop is by servo on 7th channel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Walters Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Well done Robert! Can't beat a good Beaufighter! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Looks fabulous Robert, really well done. Fingers crossed for the maiden Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 beautiful Beaufighter sir. well smart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 first class model Robert well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 You must be proud of that. The Stirling will be worth waiting for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Todd Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Lovely job. Linds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hi all, Thank's for all of your comments it was a pleasure to build, just wished the weather could have been kinder for a better photo shoot plus I was pushed for time. Now I can make a start on the Short Stirling today Once again thank you all for your support and comments for my first build blog. Regards Robert Edited By Robert Parker on 09/11/2014 08:14:57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Stratton Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Well done Robert, you've done a magnificent job on the Beau, I like the little touches, weathering etc. Good luck with the maiden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willhappy Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 hi robert how did it fly????? will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 Hi Will, I haven't flown her yet, for the following reasons We share our flying field with a football and rugby pitches plus an adjoining trotting / speedway track and we lost a lot of flying time this year to sporting fixtures, in fact this has been the worst year ever for our club and we are trying to find a new field to fry from which has not been easy so far. When there have been no sporting fixtures the weather has not been very agreeable, plus factor in work and family time, I think I only managed to get to the field about half a dozen times this year which has meant I'm a little rusty on the sticks. And finally, my building skills are better than my flying skills and I want to get more time flying to improve my skills to a level where I think I could handle her. Next year, I want to get my "B" cert, once I have done that then I'll go for it. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Hi Robert, know you've been busy with other projects but any news on the first flight yet? Am considering one as a future build after the mosquito so I have a proper strike wing!! Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharpy1071 Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Hi Robert, just to give you some encouragement to fly your Beau here's some photos of my Flair Beau. I know how you feel about first flights and varous other things associated with flying but i'm sure yours will just as good if not better than mine to fly. these photos are first flight it was just a great big pussy cat. Beaus look great in the air, especially in attack mode, diving in and flying low and fast across the target. Good luck i'm sure it will fly as good as it looks. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 Hi Chris, I like the sound of your own strike wing, the Beaufighter builds great and if she flies as well as my TN Lancaster then I'm in for a treat. I have not maidened the Beaufighter as yet but I will. Having said that, I am at the present recovering from an operation to my left shoulder which being left handed has made life a little interesting these past few weeks.For instance, I've had to learn to use a mouse and keyboard with my right hand and by doing so I keep hitting a lot of wrong keys, so a short piece of text can get very frustrating to say the least. And secondly, I'm a bit reluctant to fly her after maidening my 12 year old my TN Lancaster and my own Short Sterling. Both of which I tried to fly back in November and both suffered undercarriage problems, as for the Beaufighter it also has the same own design of leg which bent very easily, the Lancaster came in to the most gentle landing and one of the 4mm piano wire pins between the u/c unit and the 1/2" sq steel bar holding the legs bent back so that was that for the day. Next I tried to maiden the Stirling, she swung towards the pits just after lift off, I cut the power and she rolled into the windsock post again bending the same pin. Beaufighter leg and Stirling drawing I have straightened out the leg but not confident about flying her as she is a few pounds heavier than the Lanc The Lancaster is sorted, I treated myself to a set of Tony's electric retracts for Xmas and will fit them when my recovery allows. As for the Beaufighter and Stirling, I need to look at trying to strengthen the pin, they are as short as they can go without fowling the retract unit. Anyone have any thoughts, how to resolve this issue? One that has crossed my mind is getting hold of a say 9mm bar and turning both ends down to 4mm, which is way beyond my personal capabilities and workshop tools. I have also incorporated the same design into my present design the FW200 Condor, I'm hoping by the time I get to building it I will have come up with a solution, hopefully. Regards Robert Edited By Robert Parker on 27/01/2017 16:48:04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 Hi Brian, Great photos of your beau, I will fly her but see my above post Regards Robert Edited By Robert Parker on 27/01/2017 16:49:12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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