1/48 Beaufighter TF.X

This is a Tamiya kit that I finally finished this week after starting it in 2011. It assembles wonderfully, with excellent fit. I painted it with Humbrol enamels and started to finish it with the kit decals. Unfortunately, the edges of the roundels refused to lay down and dried crinkled up. I use Future on decals more often then not and never had this happen before. I removed them with a lot of effort that included some sanding and re-painting. It was then that I realized that aftermarket decals for thimble-nosed TFX's were not easy to come by. The plane sat unfinished for over a year until I discovered the Southern Sky decals that you see on the model. The markings are for 455 Sq. RAAF, based at Dalachy, Scotland. These were some of the finest decals I've ever used. They truly look painted on.

I originally planned on arming it with a torpedo, but learned that 455 Sq. was rocket equipped. This one turned out a lot better then anticipated after the decal disaster, and I'm glad to have finished it.

4 additional images. Click to enlarge.