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Tom Cleaver
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Beaufighters – the Tamiya 1/48 kit in several versions

January 10, 2013 · in Aviation · · 1 · 2K

I have always liked the for its pugnacious looks. Here are three I did from the kit back about 1997-1999.

The first is a T.F.X flown by 27 "Elephants" Squadron in southeast Asia. 27 was the first squadron to equip with the Beaufighter in India in late 1942. Painted with Gunze-Sangyo paints (sadly no longer available in the US) and using markings from a Cutting Edge Sheet.

Second is the well-known ("famous for being famous" for an air-to-air photography session in 1944) Beaufighter VI.C "Torbeau," MB-T "T-for-Tommy" NT850 from the Banff Wing in June 1944, sporting D-Day stripes. Painted with Tamiya paints (RLM Grey substituting closely for Slate Grey) and using decals from an old Aeromaster sheet. There were at least two T-for-Tommies, the photos of this one clearly delineate two-color upper camouflage, identifying it as an earlier VI.C in Dark Slate Grey/Dark Sea Grey; The T.f.Xs were in Dark Sea Grey overall upper surfaces.

Third is a Beaufighter VI.F night fighter used by the USAAF 424th NFS in Italy in 1944, modified with the later centimetric radar in a thimble nose. Gunze paints again, with decals from a Cutting Edge sheet.

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23 additional images. Click to enlarge.


1 response

  1. Most of these photos are, brighter, sharper and crisper than usual, TC...better able to see your craftsmanship. Nice work.

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