I am definitely gonna follow this build! And definitely want to pick one up also whenever the local shops get one in...

This will be an amazing build to watch.  I have used the Big Ed set on my last build for the first time (GWH Black Widow) and had a great time assembling that kit.  

Toshi

Broke Sprue last night and started placing some of the Eduard PE.  And of course Murphy's Law struck, while gathering my paints I found that I am missing most needed for the project.  So another order to Sprue Bros.  Man, I miss my old hobby shop!

Question for you experts out there:  I'm not sure on some of the color call outs, particularly the wheel wells.  The Google machine was vague on reference pics that didn't involve the night fighter version.  I want to assume that the wheel wells are the same color as the underside.  Furthermore the landing gear struts are calling for flat black, which does match some color pics of museum restorations, but I'm not so sure about their accuracy.  Anyone out there have some solid sources that would answer these questions?

I'm continuing to work on adding the PE and other sub assemblies while I wait for my paints to arrive.  I replaced the kit barrels with metal ones from Master Models.  I really like the results:

Not that the kit ones are bad, in fact aside from the instrument panel, the detail on the kit is pretty good.  Not Tamiya good, but I didn't have to pay Tamiya prices for this kit so definitely great bang for the buck.

The gun barrels look really good!  Great start so far.

Toshi

stikpusher

I am definitely gonna follow this build! And definitely want to pick one up also whenever the local shops get one in...

 

I'll be dipped in fecal matter! When did Airfix come out with a BP Defiant?  I have a whole sub-stash of 1/48 BoB aircraft and without exception the Defiant was the most difficult to score, since the only prior offering was the limited run Classic Airframes (the day-light version of this kit would routinely sell on Ebay for $75 or more).  Can't wait to see this one.

Paints arrived yesterday so I can really get going on this one! 

This looks nice. I've always been amused by the Defiant, but hesitated to pull the trigger on this one because I've done a Hurricane, Spitfire and something else all in the same colors lately and I'm kind of tired of that scheme. But when they kit the nightfighter variant, I think that will be fun to do.

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

-BD-

This should be a fun build. I picked this kit up when it was first released after the nice experience I had with the new tool Hurricane. I thought the design was pretty neat. Looking forward to Airfix's new P-40 tool in 1/48.

Enjoy the build - I'll be watching with great interest.

Those gun barrels make all the difference. Looking forward to watching this come alive.

BK

I made a lot of progress over the weekend.  Most of the inerior bits and turret are set and drying.  Initial test-fits look good.  I'll post some pics once things have dried and I can weather them a bit.

Teaser

As a side, the other BoB A/C which are a challenge to find in 1/48 (at least quality) are the Do-17Z and the Ju 88A-1, that one requires some serious modifications, I know because I purchased all the surgical equipment

Let's go Stu!

Well if there is one thing for certain when it comes to my projects, it is that I can never leave well enough alone.  The defiant has been progressing nicely and aside from the PE and Master Model enhancements it has been OOB.  The Eduard Big Ed accessorys for this kit included PE for dropped flaps.  I originally dismissed using these.  However reference photos of the real Defiant sometimes show the flaps dropped so now I'm at a cross-roads:  To flap or not to flap.  Do I dare upset the flow of this build by risking major surgery just to add flaps?   I think I'm going to see if I can get all the PE flaps assembled correctly and then decide if I carve up the wings.  This way if I screw up folding the PE (Known to happen) I'm not faced with having to buy another kit.  Here goes.........

Well I'm back after a week's vacation to do the Disney thing with my family in the humid oven that is Florida.  I can't tell you how good it is to be back where being dry is actually a thing.  Before we left I managed to get the major assembly done on the defiant.  The Fuselage halves closed up with Tamiya-like precision and the softer plastic meant only a few swipes with the sanding stick eliminated any seams.  I do have a small gap just ahead of the cockpit, most likely due to the a eduard IP throwing things off a bit.  I'll post some pics shortly.  Needless to say I'm very impressed with this Airfix offering.

Sounds cool, I've got the old Classic Airframes kit, looking forward to seeing how this new kit turns out. 

Being an idiot I should have sold this CA kit before the AF one came out... 

Is it a fixed turret (the kit not the actual airplane), or can you pose it?  A diorama with a Bf-109 getting a face full of .303 comes to mind. 

seasick

Is it a fixed turret (the kit not the actual airplane), or can you pose it?  A diorama with a Bf-109 getting a face full of .303 comes to mind. 

 

Airfix does give you a lot of options.  You can pose the plane with the gear up and the turret is poseable.  There are various settings, if you will, on how to do the farings dependent on where the turret is traversing.  For mine I am doing it on the ground with the turret all the way to the right so the gunner's clamshell access is exposed.  I wanted to show off the detail of the turret. 

You could certainly pose the turret in any way you saw fit.  The only thing that may be tough is getting a gunner in there.  Tight fit.

Very odd..... Photobucket is giving me some grief.  No matter how many times I edit the picutre, it reverts back to the original when I post it.  I even tried editing the originals and re-uploading <Insert Twilight Zone Theme here>  Well, I guess turn your heads and ignore the mess.......

I've had problems with editor on photobucket. I've installed "GIMP 2" on my computer. Its an opensource photoshop type program. Real nice editor. cost $0.00. 

Reasoned

Teaser

As a side, the other BoB A/C which are a challenge to find in 1/48 (at least quality) are the Do-17Z and the Ju 88A-1, that one requires some serious modifications, I know because I purchased all the surgical equipment

Let's go Stu!

 

ICM recently released a new tool Do17Z-2. I have the kit in my stash but cannot speak to its quality.

I must get this Defiant.

The photos are sharp and clear, no worries about the editing. Very nice work on the cockpit, love what you've got going so far. 

Bit the bullet and did the canopy masking last night.  Up next priming!  Coming along nicely. 

One word of caution to anyone building this kit.  I opted to leave the turret off until I've completed painting, which you can do, but do not put the fairings in place if you wish to leave the turret off.  If you put the fairings in place before the turret you won't be able to fit the turret in.

I was inches away from applying cement before it occurred to me to test fit first!  *WHEW*

Home stretch.  Got paint, gloss, decals, clear and wash on over the weekend.  Next up some weathering.  I should be posting pictures soon. Thoroughly impressed with the kit and plan on buying another one to do the night-fighter version (All parts are already included).  If Airfix, or the AM manufacturers out there would actually listen to me I would make the following recommendations to improve the kit:

• Better wheels and tires.  The ones in the kit are OK, but are missing a lot of potential detail and the hub is just a flat cylinder. 
• Landing gear doors.  The kit's are molded as a single piece, which is great for building simplicity, but poor for detail and are overly thick.

My only other gripe would be that the clear parts for the landing lights are not shapped properly for both wings.  What you get is the same clear piece twice, which works great for one wing but is backwards for the other.  I chose not to make any major corrections to this kit, but when I do this one again, I will certainly take the time to correct the landing lights.

All-in-all this kit is highly, HIGHLY recommended and can be built quickly with little fuss.  To the AMS individuals out there, it is also a wonderful blank canvas that could make for a great diorama.  Great value for a low price compared to Airfix's contempararies.

I have been looking for this kit since I first saw your build post, to no avail.  It is listed as back-ordered on ScaleHobbyist and Out of Stock at SprueBrothers, and Squadron does not even list it in their inventory.  I am not sure why I am so impatient, given that when I do buy it, the kit will probably join my stash for an indeterminant amount of time before I actually get around to it.

Dang, Stu. This is a heck of a tease lol! I've always wanted to model this aircraft. Loved it since I was a wee lad. What you've done so far with this kit has only driven the need to build this kit. I'm definitely going to order this one when it shows up in stock at Sprue Bros.

....Eargerly waiting to see those pictures!....

Sorry for the delay, guys.  <Insert standard excuse> just kept me too busy lately.  Pics aren't the best, but when the only camera in the house is on a iPhone, I have to use what I have.  Hope you enjoy!  Highly recommended kit.

Oh my ... I want this kit. Beautifully done, Stu. Those MG barrels really made a huge difference in the way that turret looks. Really, really superb finish!  :)