1/48 Airfix Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I
Model depicts an aircraft operating with 255 Squadron RAF, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, 1941. Note this plane has six stack exhausts for which I used Ultracast parts. Other aftermarket parts are Eduard cockpit set and Master gun barrels. Decals are from the Extradecal sheet 48157. Overall black finish was done by using various shades of black and dark gray. Brengun landing light bezels replaced the kit parts and clear cello tape was used for the landing light covers. This is a great kit and anyone with a few kits completed should be able to have a winner with this.
16 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Louis Gardner said on November 4, 2019
Nice one here Dale !!! I built one of these and it’s a very nice kit. The only addition (going from memory here) I did was to replace the kit supplied tires. You additions make it even better. Those are the bee’s knees !!!
Well done buddy !!!
“liked”
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thanks so much Louis!
Chuck A. Villanueva said on November 4, 2019
Dale that is the perfect way to get a black finish not to look so black. I used a similar technique while building the F-7F Tigercat as it may have had appeared in the harsh Korean environment in the early 50’s. Your technique is very well done. The Defiant has been a pleasant surprise kit from Airfix, and will pick one of them up in the near future, so many too choose these days, Lightnings, Invaders and He-111’s oh my!!!! Thanks for sharing.
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thanks Chuck. Yes overall black does present a challenge as not to make the model look too toy like. Different shades of black and dark gray seem to be the way to go. I’ve heard of mixing small amounts or red to black giving another variation to over all black schemes.
Tom Cleaver said on November 4, 2019
I’ve shied away from doing a Defiant in all black because it was a color and a paint that really didn’t seem (to me at least) to do the airplane a lot of good in the looks department. You’ve done a good job of proving me wrong. This looks great, and you have worked some real magic here painting-wise.
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thanks Tom. This was my first attempt at an all black scheme and the result didn’t come out too bad.
bob mack said on November 4, 2019
looks terrific as usual dale
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thanks for your kind reply
Pedro L. Rocha said on November 4, 2019
One of my favourites from Airfix, the painting looks good and the details even better. I also built one (NF) and presented it here sometime ago, and it’s visible the different approaches to the same model and camouflage. That’s what makes the social side of this hobby so interesting. Thanks for posting Dale!
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thanks Pedro. I saw your Defiant on your blog. It really looks good.
Robert Royes said on November 4, 2019
Looks great!
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thank you Robert.
Greg Kittinger said on November 4, 2019
I’m gonna ditto those who remarked on the black paint job – an excellent job making it really come alive with visual interest. A great-looking Defiant.
dale travis said on November 4, 2019
Thanks Greg. I’m glad you like it.