chris meek 1 Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 So I’ve finally gotten around to starting the build…. Tony Nijhuis Bristol Beaufighter. I’ve used the part kit and additional wood pack from Belair, ribs/formers etc all nicely cut and go together well! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 It’s been just over two weeks into the build - so far the only hurdle to overcome was getting the thick fuselage sides to conform to fuselage former F2 - initially they weren’t having any of it but with patience and brushing plenty of Ammonia onto them I was able to get them to curve nicely around. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 love it. Watching with interest 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 Thanks Adrian - it looks better from a distance than it does up close! 🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted March 30 Author Share Posted March 30 More progress - little jobs done this week! Servo tray cut and fitted, elevator pushrod made up, elevator and rudder painted. I’m using the same techniques used on the fw190 and hawker tempest mass builds - brown paper covering and emulsion tester pots to paint! I don’t think it’ll be winning any awards for scale but as long as it flies and looks ‘close enough’ I’ll be happy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 Looking at the plan it was a castoring tail wheel, but I’d rather it was steerable… there’s not much room at the back but a I was able to hook the tail wheel to the rudder pushrod. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 Now that’s all sorted I can get on with sheeting the lower fuselage- it’s starting to feel like the fuselage is nearly finished! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 You're doing a grand job Chris - I particularly like the tail structure. 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I used a retractable one,, 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 1 hour ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: I used a retractable one,, Yeah I came close to it but in the end thought I’d try not to over complicate it for myself! Looks good with a retract though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 7 Author Share Posted April 7 Finally got the lower sheeting fitted and shaped. Some lightweight filler on a couple of gaps still to sand but I’d say fuselage is just about finished! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 7 Author Share Posted April 7 AUW should be 10lbs according to the plan.. I was starting to worry about weight so weighed the fuselage so far. I know it’s not covered, but under 1 1/2 lbs seems ok to me - hopefully the covering and paint won’t add masses of weight! Then I had to do the bit I’ve been dreading- cutting the fuselage for the wing to fit… doesn’t look as bad as I thought it might! it’s definitely looking like a Beaufighter to me now! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Nice work Chris. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew exton Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 looks good far better than my current 2nd effort andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 Finished covering the fuselage and have painted the horizontal stabilisers. now to adding the white base for the invasion stripes… I’ve not decided which particular aircraft I want to replicate yet other than it will be a coastal command aircraft, but the invasion stripes will help with seeing what is basically a blue and grey aircraft against a blue/grey sky! I’ve been researching it and the invasion stripes in one form or another stayed on surviving aircraft from June well into October/November 1944 so I’ve lots to choose from.. 🤔 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 This is what I’m thinking of at the moment…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 Like mine,, 😇 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 Haha yes, although now will find another one to do! 🤦♂️ plenty to choose from though…. yours looks really good though - how’s it fly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 A dream to fly with 2 Saito .45 Specials, 8 years old now. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 Fuselage is at a point where I’ll leave it while I get on with the wings…. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 Final piece done was to paint in the cockpit 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 Just a quick mention- I’m not a ‘builder’ - prior to this I’ve only built a galaxy models magician, top flite sea fury and dabbled with a Brian Taylor mosquito (gave up on that as too complicated at the time!). just want to show folk that with a bit of patience it’s possible to build something from a plan that even an inexperienced builder can be proud of. It may not win any awards at the nationals but I’m happy with it… I really like the brown paper method of covering - paper and all paints used (grey/blue/black/white) will have come to about £15 so it doesn’t break the bank! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 Does the pilot's canopy fit ? Mine was too small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 19 minutes ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Does the pilot's canopy fit ? Mine was too small. No, too small on mine as well - I need to try carving a plug and making my own, I want the navigators cupola to be the later shape as well. Still it’s another skill to learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 A shame here is my new mould with a couple of bigger ones. A shame that you are so far away,,, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.