Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk X (Tamiya 1/48 scale model)

[@markmalasics8413]

THANK YOU for being the only builder (that I can find, so far) that doesn't like to add all that weathering and damage BS to their models. The other guys all seem to think that the actual aircraft came from the factory looking like trash. Keep up the great work!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Mark

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day MN, I enjoyed your build on this Mk 10 and it did come up a treat, as most Tamiya kits tend to do. I'm of two minds about weathering. I served in the RAAF during a time of great transition in our squadrons from post WW2 types with many years flying time, which were then replaced with new aircraft. I got to see aircraft that had done a lot of hard work yet our airframe fitters and paint finishers did magnificent work and some of our old Neptunes and Dakotas at ARDU. The F4 Phantoms we got as a stop-gap until our F-111s arrived were quite a mess when they arrived but were soon up to RAAF standards. Even some Meteor 'Gate Guards' were maintained with respect and care. Some old types were given, from time to time, to the Apprentices at Wagga Wagga and part of their learning duties were to keep these old heroes of the skies in excellent condition. The RAAF was the first foreign air force to buy C-130 Hercules A and E Models. They were about 10 or 12 or more years old when I saw them for the first time. Most were all bare metal and from a distance of about 30 or 40 paces, on a sunny day, they looked much like they might have when rolled out of the factory. Of course, again, our ground staff looked after these 'Hercs' with great pride and they were immaculate on the inside, having the interior insulation replaced every so often. Up close was another matter altogether. One could see the variation in panel colours of bare metal and tell smaller panels that had been replaced etc. So, my early models of the Hercs were almost 'showroom' clean. But on, say, the Neptunes, one had to use a bit of weathering, like the exhaust marks on the wings which were 'ingrained' after decades of service. No amount of cleaning would restore them save replacement panels. My Neptune models had to reflect that, I thought. Many exhaust areas of the wings were painted matt black because this was how they were going to look anyway. But here's the problem with weathering. Most modellers these days, I've noticed, go overboard even on 1/72 models. One has to weather keeping in mind scale. For this reason, I quickly discarded 1/72 scale models unless they were of aircraft that were large in reality, like the 1/72 Lancaster or Liberator. A 1/32 Mk 1 or II Spitfire must have some weathering and wear and tear. These aircraft were used in wartime and the last thing on the hard-pressed ground crews' agendas was being spick and span. Bullet holes were quickly patched by the fitters and, if lucky maybe a lick of paint from a brush and a can. I have dozens of period photographs of ground staff painting on 'D-Day' stripes with 6-inch paint brushes, freehand. One can clearly see the rough edging between the black and white. It was all a last-minute thing. They certainly never came out of the factory with neat and sharp D-Day stripes and the paint finishers were busy doing essential jobs like re-painting roundels that had been shot away and patched up. This was especially true for Hurricanes that had huge rips in the fabric after-fuselage. Roundels were a priority to avoid friendly fire confusion, so a dirty set of panels would get new camo paint only if the crews had time, which was rare indeed. So, to finish this long ramble, weathering yes, but only when the size of the model can allow for logical markings and stains and patched panels or fabric. Tank models are a different topic. I've only referred to period aircraft which one has to be 'realistic' about. Cheers, and all the best. BH

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for your comment Bill. Interesting points for sure, definitely worth thinking about.

[@markfergerson2145]

I always liked the Beaufighter's relatively no-nonsense look. That's one reason I appreciate your approach to weathering- granted that planes don't get a lot of cleanup between missions in wartime but so many people take it too far. Your plane looks like it's been busy but not too busy if you see what I mean.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Mark, yes, I see what you mean. Much appreciated.

[@hammer6238]

Personally I like the “day one” look on my planes. Nice job on the Beau.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes, I prefer that look too.

[@kitbag9033]

I get what you say about excessive weathering, and of course if you are happy with it then everyone else can go swivel 😇. That said, the aircraft of Coastal Command did get very weather-beaten, especially the low level strike aircraft subject to some pretty intense conditions out over the North Sea and Atlantic. Really impressed with the choice of music; that one brings me joy all the time, and it wasn't intrusive like on some channels. All round, big 👍 from me.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Kitbag. My next aircraft is also going to be Coastal Command, and I think I'll add a touch more dirty and weathering on that one.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

My Great Uncle was a Beaufighter Pilot ( Rank Sgt P/O A ) for both RAAF 463 Sqd and RAF 108 Sqd in the North African/ Med campaign - one of 4 Australians in a Unit ... 108 flew Night Fighter patrols over Egypt, Libya, Malta, Greece and the Aegean generally. His personal file shows the destruction of Ships, Trains, motor vehicles and a Heinkel HE. 111 among other victims. The HE .111 would be fantastic to add to a 2 Plane Diorama! I have record of the specific colour camo scheme for his Night Fighter which is not provided for in any kit I have seen - these were Dark Earth - Middle Stone with Night beneath wings coming up in waves over the center line of the fuselage and above the dark red Squadron Markings towards the tail - I will need to add 108 Sqd Decals to the model as well. Through 1943-44, flying out of an airfield in Athens - after the HE. 111 was intercepted and destroyed - records state his Beau harassed a German retreat by strafing Railway and Motor Transport following this up with nightly 'Intruder Missions' over the wider Aegean ( Salonika, Crete, Rhodes, Melos, Leros and Cos ). Must have been one hell of a show. He lived well into his 90's and only recently passed away. Cheers for the great build! ( I have the Tamiya 1/48 Night Fighter Mk VI version of this Kit )

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for commenting - that's a really interesting story! I've never heard of that scheme before either. It'd look great on a kit though, I'm sure.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

@@ModelNerd The scheme was specific to the Egypt/Med Beaufighter Squadrons from late 43 onwards ... apparently Squadron markings were also a rarity on Night Fighter tasked Beaufighters in the North African and Med theater. The colour scheme is pictured in two well known books on the subject, though a rare scheme, very specific to the location and these Squadrons. Some of these Beau's often just had a single Call Sign on the fuselage. It's a great looking scheme as the Night Black comes up in a wave like a snake half way up the fuselage and runs towards the tail ... showing against the Dark Earth and Mid Stone. Very striking stuff.

[@thatfelladownunder9396]

I’ve just pulled this kit out of the stash for my next build, I was going to comment on the Aussies love of this, largely underrated, beast of a plane. But you beat me to it with your connection to the Beau. From memory there aren’t any aftermarket RAAF marking options for this kit so I was going to just build it OOB with some aftermarket rockets and fuel tank. Thanks for your great story though. Maybe I’ll do a bit more research before I start my build. 👍

[@deanmcbeth4140]

I like you’re clean look mate.. great build and paint work

[@kennethjames9416]

I prefer the clean look to my aircraft. Well tidy job on the Beau.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@jillobbeek7765]

I totally agree with your views on weathering. Them again, some aircraft lend themselves more toward weathering, but I've never liked excessive weathering either.Lovely job... I'm building the Mk VI ATM, and I'm doing the Mediterranean theatre colour scheme. Hope it looks as good as yours ! 😁

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Jill. Have fun with your build!

[@deanmcbeth4140]

Great build I like the clean look .. great paint job

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Dean. I find weathering aircraft quite difficult for some reason, so I'm glad the clean look is appreciated :)

[@mafmaf6417]

I also do not overly weather kits I build. I think sometimes we forget that weathering should also be in scale. Black pane lines, to me, are not the way to go. In scale panel lines should be very subtle, not so well defined that they look like you can stick your hand in them if it was a real aircraft. I built 2 of these kits and had the same problem with both. The left wing top and bottom would not match up. They were slightly off. I had to remove the locator pins to make them for properly. I also think Tamyia could have put a bit more details into the engines. I know these are older kits but even the Airfix 1/72 kits had better detailed engines. Your kit turned out great.

[@joeblow6852]

Beautiful work mate

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@Twirlyhead]

Excellent. The guy at the rear is a navigator.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@strontiumstargazer5096]

Great review thanks. Commentary clear, informative and helpful. Super camera work.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@lawrencereid9375]

BEAUTIFUL BEAU! Proof that some older kits -- particularly Tamiya and the like nearly are just as good or in some cases better than a fair amount of the newer offerings.

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely! Never had a bad Tamiya kit.

[@robbo1068]

Great job on the Beaufighter.....and I agree with you re weathering...some is ok but too much isn't (there are exceptions, though). Thanks for the teaser of future projects!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed the teasers :)

[@kianahmadi4757]

I love Tamiya kits and I love the beaufighter. keep up that good work of yours!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@jamesmaroon6161]

What a great build. Very nicely done.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you James

[@spruetherapy]

Nice clean build. I know what you mean, I've started weathering my aircraft so much that not to do it feels a bit weird now. I might give a cleaner build a try. Thanks for the vid!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Nice name by the way!

[@billmayo1094]

Great build video.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks 👍

[@piotrekszczepanski5125]

I was gonna get a draken, but after seeing this video, I'm definetely getting the beaufigter! I escpecially love the colour variation, even if it may be accidental.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@jetsofthecoldwar1149]

After watching this, I really need to try a Tamiya kit. The fit looks amazing. Your build and finish are great, thanks for sharing.

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely! I honestly don't think anyone has ever been disappointed with the quality of a Tamiya kit :)

[@vasili1207]

Looks great to me it will look great in you're collection, lots of people telling you how to weather your property makes me laugh 😂 they don't have to look at it forever. You keep building mate I'll keep watching Have fun

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Vasili

[@cygnusx10]

Great build and nice finish. Great vid thanks for sharing.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@PiperStart]

Excellent job.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@RA-dd5mg]

Yeah I agree on the weathering a lot of guys get carried away with it especially in the smaller scales if you’re working with 32nd or larger I can see it but in 48/72... the build looks good thanks

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@ovidiuschley3346]

Great Bristol bomber kit by Tamiya and at this scale the details are very great . Superb painting and decals , I like them very much on that model ! 🏆🥇👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@panzer-meister]

It's ice video. I know well what you done by your step by step modeling. I always enjoy your video. Thank you !!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you-I really appreciate your comments.

[@bobdyer422]

I've got the NF version of this kit. Very nice OoB build. This looks good, no weathering, no problem to me. Great job!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I wasn't sure which version of this to build, there are so many.

[@foreverplastickits138]

*Tamiya quality with a nice paint, well done! 👍*

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks a lot

[@mybluebelly]

Did the torbeaus also have rocket rails...with rockets? Or did they carry only the torpedo and the four 20mm cannons? Building mine now. I bought the Tamiya Mosquito kits back in the day, probably more than 20 years ago but sorry to say i neglected the Beaufighter even though it looks really well engineered and i am having a blast putting it together.

[@ModelNerd]

I'm not sure about the rockets to be honest - I seem to remember there was an option to include them. It is a nice kit though, I agree.

[@allangarant3907]

its more of a question re the instruction booklet. it indicates a number of times 3 colours for the instrument panel and figure is this correct and how do you go about measuring the correct amount of paint. this is the first Tamiya kit for me hopefully its not to much trouble to advise. regards.

[@ModelNerd]

Ah yes, I see the bit you mean. That is indicating '1' for each of those colours, so equal parts for each. However, some good news - looking at those colours (XF-65 Field Grey, XF-21 Sky, XF-5 Green), Tamiya are trying to get you to mix a light greenish colour for the cockpit. The good news is that since the release of this kit Tamiya have released XF-71, which is the exact colour you need for British cockpit interiors :) No need to mix any more!

[@allangarant3907]

@@ModelNerd great news thank you so much for the quick reply, greetings from Ontario Canada.

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Beautiful job!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate.

[@gta4ever3003]

Just one question: The wash should be done after colour and varnish or? Kind regards

[@ModelNerd]

I did it after the gloss varnish, after painting.

[@dkproductions3130]

Good job on the model it looks beautiful

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you mate

[@paulsheriff5733]

Nice job mate, thanks for sharing 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Paul

[@PeteCourtier]

A TFX and Holst. Nicely done sir🍺

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate.

[@PeteCourtier]

Model Nerd I have the Tamiya 1/48 Mosquito in the stash with aftermarket coastal command decals. It may be built soon so it’s your fault😂 Cheers mate🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@henrysanchez4810]

Great work, I built the Revell Beaufighter, that was also a great kit..

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Henry

[@danielwilliams3994]

Very nice build! In my humble opinion you should add muzzle smoke on the business end of the .303's!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Daniel. Yes, actually that is something I think I missed there.

[@eviltoast2981]

Nice, got my eye on one of these at a local shop.

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely worth getting one if you see it for a good price

[@peterderiemer3854]

Nice you have an open shop😠

[@eviltoast2981]

@@peterderiemer3854 we can, yes, but can't buy any alcohol or tobacco products. So yay I guess? :'(

[@BrushQuill]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing your build with us. :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - much appreciated.

[@leeroyjenkins7141]

Nice job! Do you have a link to the ak wash and the Vallejo putty? Thanks!

[@ModelNerd]

I purchase products like those from my local shop, but I'm sure online stores in your country would stock them (there are freight issues with enamels in some places).

[@leeroyjenkins7141]

@@ModelNerd thank you! Do you find the putty works well? Keep up the great work

[@ModelNerd]

@@leeroyjenkins7141 I really like it. Being water based it is really easy to use and clean up. It's a bit soft for larger work though.

[@TheGios88]

I love your videos, but I'd love to see even more F1 cars or competition cars in general

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for your comment. I've got an F1 car all filmed, built and photographed - I just need to edit the video now. And I've also got a XJR lined up to start this morning :)

[@melvynjones3904]

Built a couple of these, lovely kit and cheaper than the Revell. I’m reading” The Strike Wings “ at the moment, the cover has a painting MB T attacking a German cargo ship on 15 June ‘44. You may be able to find it on the net, it’s by Frank Wootton

[@ModelNerd]

Hi Melvyn. Yes, I think I've read it. Very interesting IIRC.

[@richardmumford2708]

Brilliant

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Richard

[@apebble9740]

Wow, after seeing this I might have to pick that kit up. Nice video man and nice job on the model! :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Pebble.

[@Ralle1968]

Very nice!Subcribed!👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@ploppysonofploppy6066]

A competent and inspirational build thank you. My only comment, panel lines on kits. Commendably narrow, but still too thick. Maybe 0.5 mm? In 1/48 scale that's approaching an inch on the full size aircraft (in old money🙂). Panel lines on real aircraft are overlapped over the adjacent panel. Seldom do we have a gap at all. I'd rather see a smooth finish.

[@ModelNerd]

Yep, you're completely right about the scale. I'm currently building the 1/144 Vulcan so you can imagine what the lines on that are like in terms of realism. But, that said, I think a totally smooth look doesn't quite look right to me.

[@ploppysonofploppy6066]

@@ModelNerd I've got the Revell Lancaster in my stash, and it's time is due! Going to try removing the lines and reinstating the overlap on the panels my masking off areas and applying undercoat. Panels were typically 3mm thick, so I want 3mm ÷ 72. A couple of coats might do it

[@ploppysonofploppy6066]

@@ModelNerd One final point. Maybe smooth doesn't look right because everyone does the same highlighting technique? Often very well but is it "Emperor's new clothes"?

[@ModelNerd]

That sounds like a really interesting plan. I certainly get 'paint steps' from masking when I don't want them sometimes, so I'm intrigued to see your results. You've also got me thinking about what it would look like to fill the panel lines and use very subtle colour differences to indicate individual panels. Good luck - I'd be very interested to see your results!

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

It's a lovely kit, considering the tooling is over 20 years old (I built the TF Mk.X when it was first released - eek!)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes, it really is.

[@jamessteale805]

What’s the song? Great build btw

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I can't remember the name of the song at the moment, and I'm away from my video editing computer, sorry.

[@kieranrichmond5864]

@@ModelNerd It's 'Jupiter' from Gustav Holst's Planets Suite - also used as the tune for 'I vow to thee my country...' often played in remembrance services in November

[@ModelNerd]

@@kieranrichmond5864 Thanks, you're right. Great piece of music.

[@gerryparker1390]

Weathering is not something I enjoy doing. In part it is because it involves a lot of free hand work and that is very difficult for me. I do not dismiss models that are weathered and admire them very much.

[@TheWGLOVER]

Rather nice.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks William

[@mattiascavero]

Nice and clean build🤔 not really My style😉 but fun to watch 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks 👍

[@harrymarwick2529]

I’ve one of these kits, but the decals are shot. They just disintegrated

[@ModelNerd]

Oh, sorry to hear that Harry. Maybe it is possible to get a replacement set either from Tamiya or a third party? It might even be possible to make up the decals from spares in other kits (assuming you have other RAF aircraft in this scale).

[@mathersdavid5113]

Definitely rockets OR torpedo on Coastal Command Beaufighters. The rockets are so poor on this kit it's best to go with the torpedo.

[@ModelNerd]

Good to know, thanks

[@juandulanto9650]

😊have same kit with aftermarket resin and photoetch eduard started soon follow your steps 😁😉

[@ModelNerd]

Awesome. Enjoy the build!

[@kennyraicherter1264]

I will buy Tamiya because they put pilots in there kits

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, good point. I don't always use them - but it is nice to have the option.

[@Pikilloification]

Maybe a bit more weathering around the engines, guns and especially the exhausts could be justified. No need to go overboard like some people do, but it kimd of looks too much like a toy otherwise.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes - good points.

[@Give0002]

Silents Video are better.... to mutch Talking. I can see wat do you make.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for the feedback.