Thanks, Spiros(@fiveten). I'm hoping these parts will look better than I have have in mind if I have to do it by hand. We will see..

Here's a brief update to my Beaufighter project. Progress slowed down to a crawl as I focused my time on learning Blender (an open source 3D modeling and rendering software program). As you saw in an earlier posting, I managed to create a 3D model of the fuel dump ducts (still not sure if that is the correct term) and ship a file off to my local library for printing. Upon picking up the print, I discovered that my ducts were 1/10th the size I needed. Turns that Blender uses a scale base of 1 meter whereas I needed a base of 1 millimeter. After visiting a bunch of blender forums, I finally figured out how to set the scale to 1mm in Blender. Off to the library when the updated file, which I am scheduled to pickup in a few days. Everything SHOULD be ok, but being a retired IT guy, I'm skeptical. We will see...

In the meantime, I thought I would have a go at using Blender to generate a model of a portion of the landing gear, specifically the framing used to support the hydraulic ram for extending and retracting the undercarriage (see photo below).

It really stretched my Blender skills trying to replicate this part, but I think I managed it as you can see in this picture.

I had earlier constructed this structure using some Evergreen square dowels, but I wasn't satisfied with the scale. I'm hoping the printed version will be good enough to use in the model. It all depends upon how much supporting structure the library had to add to the object for effective printing. If it works, I have a dark and evil plan to create new cowl panels (the ones from the kit lack detail), perhaps the exhaust manifold, and the observer's station.

Excellent 3D creation, my friend @gwfabian!

@gblair, If these work, I'll probably upload them somewhere so others can use them.

@johnb, It took weeks to get it to this point and I've discovered there seems to be five different ways to make the same object in Blender. My biggest challenge is to know when to quit because there's only so much detail you can pack into a scaled-down version of a part before it becomes too small to be printed. Good thing I'm retired and have the time to fiddle with this stuff.

Detail of the 3D printed parts is excellent, my friend @gwfabian! Hopefully, once resubmitted with different orientation, will be easier to cleanup.

It's been a while since I posted about what I now call my "Never Ending Beaufighter Project." One of the main reasons why I'm not too concerned about this build taking so long is that, honestly, I've just about run out of display space for new models. By my calculation, I should have (with a little rearranging) enough room for the 1/32 'Beau once it's finished. When I have a hankering for model building, I turn to the NE Beau project, do some work, get bored, and let it sit on the bench for a week or two.

Much of the work lately has been focused on the undercarriage bays. After four attempts, I'm finally in a place where things are starting to come together for real. And that's a good thing because I almost ran out of materials and I don't want to receive "the look" from my wife when I tell her I need to order more supplies.

In addition to modifying the main struts, I added some copper wire for the brake lines. I also filed off the rods the landing gear doors slide against that run down the side of each strut. I've added a couple of brackets to each strut that will carry replacement rods made from stretched sprue.

I also got a little carried away and fabricated a couple of brackets for the hydraulic rams used to retract the main gear as the kit articles looked cheesy. You can see one of the brackets in the picture below.

The kit supplied hydraulic rams are also a joke, so I'm in the process of fabricating a couple of replacements, which you can see in this picture. Also in the picture is my failed attempt at 3D printing of parts. I've discovered that my prints are only as good as the local library help who tends to the printer. I've given my wife a couple of hints that I'm interested in getting a 3D printer for my birthday, but she hasn't taken the bait yet. As a result, I had to make the various brackets from scratch plastic.

I still have some more details to add to the gear bays, which I'm in the process of doing now.

Eventually all this will come together and a goodly amount of it will be visible, especially the landing gear struts and their brake lines.

Hope you are all enjoying the summer! (Or winter if you're in the southern hemisphere.)

This is really impressive, Greg @gwfabian
Your scratchbuilding skills are amazing.