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Are there any good 1/48 Beaufighters? I would love to build one but can only find the Tamiya. I have read that this kit is fairly old and light on details, I have never seen one myself. If anyone has built the Tamiya and can tell me about it or suggest some aftermarket items to spruce it up a little I would love to hear about it.
Chris
I don't build 48th myself, but a search showed that currently tamiya is the only option. But according to scalemates Revell are meant to be relkeaseing a new tooled TF.X this year. Whether that still goes ahead given the issues Revell have had this year is another matter.
A company called Accurate Minitures did 3 versions whyich are a couple of years older than the tamiya kits, but i am not familiar with this company and don't know if you could get the kits.
I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so
On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3
Yup, the Tamiya kits are the only game in town.
As far as I know, the Accurate Miniatures kits were announced but never made it to market.
As far as aftermarket goes, Eduard makes some pe for this (48215) but I cannot find anything out about it other than a black and white pic that doesnt help much. Has anyone seen this in person?
If you go on the Eduard website, youcan find the instructions to there sets. Fortunatly hannants links directly to them. Not sure which variant you are after, these are the instrcutions for the TF.X which looks to be an older set
https://www.eduard.com/store/out/media/48319.pdf
And this is the more recent set for the VI
https://www.eduard.com/store/out/media/49868.pdf
This is the hannants page which lists all the beaufighter aftermarket, should give you an idea.
https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?adv=1&product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=&product_type_id=all_aircraft_accessories&code=&scale_id=955&keyword_search=Beaufighter&setPerPage=100&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=
I built the Mk. VI Night Fighter version of the Tamiya kit. The kits goes together really well. I used no filler whatsoever. Yes, the kit is a bit light on exterior detail but it builds up very nicely out of the box. There is lots of interior detail but it is all lost and can't be seen once you close up the fuselage halves. There are decal seat belts that are somewhat satisfactory. A friend built the Mk. VI that is done up in Mediterranean theater camo and markings and is equipped with rockets and rails. He did it without any aftermarket and it turned out REALLY nice.
There is much aftermarket available for this kit at Sprue Brothers. Here's a link but it also includes 72nd and 32nd scale stuff as well.
http://store.spruebrothers.com/searchresults.asp?Search=beaufighter&Submit=
I really enjoyed this kit. It was a clean, easy build and it's a very good prepresentation right out of the box.
Hope this helps.
Mike
Retired and living the dream!
I've built the Tamiya kit and thoroughly enjoyed it. What do you mean by "light on details"?
I build 1/48 scale WW2 fighters.
Have fun.
Cdn Colin I've built the Tamiya kit and thoroughly enjoyed it. What do you mean by "light on details"?
As I wrote, I dont mean anything by it, I have never seen the kit or the finished model in person. I read it online.
Here's a few pictures of mine that might help you make your decision.
I drilled out the little intakes on the front of the exhausts.
I especially like the night fighter antennae and landing lights.
Ultracast has some detail parts as well.
https://www.ultracast.ca/category-s/171.htm
https://www.ultracast.ca/category-s/245.htm
Compressorman....the 1/48 Tamiya Beau is the only game in town - maybe a LITTLE underdetailed, especially the Hercules sleeve valve radials. The leading edge of the engine cowls is actually an exhaust collector ring - and the exhausts from the cylinders face towards the forward to feed the ring - they're not represented - there's also a 3 armed cowl brace on the front of the reduction gear housing that's missing - these ommissions make the engine look a little....bare.
But it's typical Tamiya - great fit, excellent surface detail, and a very easy build. I really enjoyed mine.
There are, as you've seen, LOTS of aftermarket bit to really dress one up.
Go for it! You'll like the build.
Cheers, LeeTree Remember, Safety Fast!!!
I put in the exhausts and bracing on mine, but it is pretty hard to see since it's all painted black.
John
To see build logs for my models: http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html
Very nice detailing on that engine! It really makes all the difference
In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)
Their is no match to take out tamiya.Hasegawa In 1/72 scale takes 2nd place.I myself took the the Revell 1/32 scale and rebuilt it w/ sceatch building and super detailed it and their is no match in the world to take it out..Try the revell 1:32 scale.
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