On the Bench - Hasegawa 1/72 Beaufighter

Subject: Bristol Beaufighter X NV427 operated by 404 RCAF Squadron as EO-L. 404 Squadron was the only RCAF Beaufighter squadron in Costal Command. They specialized in RP (rocket projectile) attacks against surface shipping. Scheme is Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky. My subject is the first in this flight.

Kit: Hasegawa 1/72 Beaufighter VI. Beautiful molding and panel lines. Great engines. Almost no interior detail. Many inserts...hope they fit!

Intent: Marky Mark and his Tamigawaddie Bunch are always telling me to stop building the crappy old kits and build a nice newer kit. Since I'm burned out on WW2 single engine props, I thought the Hasegawa Beaufighter would fit both prongs and be a nice change. I'm going to do this one pretty much out of the box, but I'm going to try my best and not cut any corners. No Anti-AMS in this case. I'm also going to incorporate the new painting and wash techniques that Marky Mark has been instructing me in.

Engines: The kit has two piece engines with separate cylinders banks and crank cases. The crank cases were brush painted Gunze Metallic Black. The cylinders banks were brush painted with Humbrol Metalcoat Polished Steel. After they were dry they were given a quick polish with a Q-Tip. They were then washed with a Naptha lighter fluid/Lamp Black/Burnt Umber oil mix. Engines done!