Classic Airframes 1:48: Boulton Paul Defiant Mk1, Hornchurch, 1940
The build:
I was never happy with the finish on this one so went for a complete respray as the real aircraft had a roughly applied demarcation line between upper/lower paint scheme on fuselage. Re-done weathering and added antennae wire. I opened up the turret and detailed the interior and added resin .303 barrels as the kit ones were awful. I also rebuilt the fairing aft of the turret which can be raised/lowered. Canopy was rebuilt from scratch.
History:
The crew of this Defiant, Flt Sgt E. R. Thorn and Sgt F. J. Barker were to become the most successful Defiant team of the war, destroying seven enemy aircraft plus a shared over France and five more during the Battle of Britain.
On August 24th 1940, the aircraft was in action again, piloted by another crew, Sqn Leader P. H. Hunter (pilot) and LAC F. H. King. Following an attack by Ju88's on Manston at 12.40pm, the crew intercepted but were reported missing and subsequently posted lost.
12 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Mike Knowles said on November 10, 2013
Really fine build of a rather crude kit!
You have inspired me to retry mine.
Charles Whall said on November 11, 2013
Go for it! But this kit is also a collector item now so might be worth hanging onto it! 🙂
Craig Abrahamson said on November 10, 2013
Nice build, Charles...and equally nice pics.
Ulrich Schütt said on November 10, 2013
Very nice job!
Seamus Boughe said on November 10, 2013
This one has been on my "To Do" list for quite a long time. I would not go as far as saying that this kit is "rather crude" especially when compared to the version Eduard released so many moons ago. This kit just needs a bit of work and a whole lot of patience to git 'er done. Nice build Charles...she looks the part.
AL HOFFMAN said on November 10, 2013
An aircraft you don't see modeled often & well done at that.
Frank Cronin said on November 10, 2013
Charles,
Very, very, nicely done.
Bill Koppos said on November 10, 2013
Great job. It was not a success but I think it is a "mean" looking aircraft, especially from thet front quarter view.
Mark Beckwith said on November 10, 2013
Yeah, what Frank said, very very nice work.
bob mack said on November 11, 2013
that's a beauty
George Williams said on November 11, 2013
I've always had a soft spot for the Defiant for some reason, I remember buying the Airfix 1/72 version when it first appeared many years ago (1950 something?). You've done a wonderful job on this one, it really looks the part.
Charles Whall said on November 11, 2013
Guys, thankyou all for your kind and encouraging comments!
Alan Rush said on November 12, 2013
It looks good and even more so with the added work you put into it. After all the pictures I have seen of this plane, I never realized that it had a belly-mounted anntena. With the turret it makes perfect sense but didn't know that. Thanks for the picture and the chance to learn something.