So, I got this kit shortly after I got the Beaufighter I I did as a IC. I did all the assembly of the wheel wells and the wing, then wasn't sure what I was going to do, so I collected aftermarket stuff, waiting for a critical mass and fission. Got the Eduard LOOK instrument panel and seatbelts, got some decals, finally Special Hobby announced a set of parts and decals to do a Beaufighter 21, and I knew the time had come.

That set arrived last week, and this afternoon I decided to proceed. Having done a kit already, I was familiar with what to do so things went easy, other than fitting the resin part on the nose for the autopilot so it would fit with the Look instrument panel. Had to do some carving out there to get the panel section deep enough (I think SH expects you to use the Eduard photo-etch instrument panel, which I had but didn't use.

I'll be using rails and rockets from an Eduard Tempest V. It's going to be done as "Flying Gremlin."

8 attached images. Click to enlarge.

G'day Tom (@tcinla),
It is good to see an Aussie Beau being built.

I should add my Beaufighter 21 to the build thread.
I have a Tamiya kit that has been on the SoD for nearly 20 years.
It stalled for a number of reasons, one being that I was going to build it in recognition of a family friend, now deceased, who served as ground crew with 22 SQN RAAF late in WW2 when they had converted to the Beaufighter. He could remember the aircraft code, DU-D, but not the aircraft number (I think he thought it was A8-38, but that ditched off Noemfoor while his aircraft survived the war to be scrapped just before he was discharged.). I haven't managed to work that out yet.
Probably the main reason is the fact that there were a number of significant differences for the Australian built aircraft.
I know that most of this is too late for you, but the cockpit was different, particularly the layout of the instrument panel. Also, I don't believe that they had the heating duct as this isn't in any photos or drawings that I have access to.
The most obvious difference is the shape of the observer's bubble canopy. I have a Red Roo vacuform replacement - RRR48165. I has two of the canopies, so if I mess one up...
Another difference is that the main gear covers were manufactured differently, I think they were pressed metal rather than riveted, but I'm not too fussed about that.
And the wingtip formation lights are only on the forward edge, but your kit has that (and they were clear with coloured bulbs.)
So, I paused part way through building the cockpit as I didn't have an easy solution to the instrument panel at the time - I should see what spare instrument decals I have in the stash.
There is also a lot of detail that could be added to the internal fuselage...
Otherwise, I have Cutting Edge engines with correct hedgehog exhausts these will take a lot of work) and Red Roo seats with belts, rockets and rails for under the wing (which I have mostly corrected).
I have an idea of a diorama with on of the engines exposed and being worked on by our friend - more work, particularly for an Aussie ground crew figure in tropical kit (or the lack of).

Your build may be the motivation I need.

Great subject, Tom. I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing to an Airfix 1/72 Beaufighter.

@michaelt - fortunately none of those changes in the Aussie Beau are things anyone on the rightside-up part of the planet will know. 🙂

I can however, change the linkages, thanks to my trusty #11.

Happy to help, Tom (@tcinla).

I assume your main colour was XF-27 Black Green (not XF-23, which is a light blue) which, as I recall is a good match for the variant of RAAF Foliage Green that was applied to Beaufighters (I'll have to find my reference for that). This was darker than the official shade and was close to RLM 70 (XF-27).

You mention XF-23 again "to fade it" - is this the original colour or a third one?

Regardless, the colour scheme looks good - I'll bookmark this for when I get back to my build.

Color looks great Tom, excellent tonal variation.

The model completed.

I used rockets and rails from the Eduard Tempest kit, suitably modified for attachment.

Full review in Modeling Madness on Thursday.

"Pistol-packin Gremlin" of 93 Squadron RAAFon Morotai, 1945,

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.