Matchbox 1:72 Bristol Beaufighter Full Kit Review and Build plus Kit-Bash

I took the old classic Matchbox Beaufighter kit and stole some extra parts off my new release Airfix Bristol Beaufighter to bash together a model I am very proud of. In this video I show the full conversion and discuss the quality of the old Matchbox kit.
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[@ronaldbyrne3320]

Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together Harry. You put your heart and soul into it and it’s models like this that rise above the rest, even if they aren’t a product of modern manufacturing.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks for that Ronald… this build was a labour of love for me and I enjoyed every moment of it

[@alwoodsmodellingmayhem]

As a kid I built loads of Matchbox kits. Now, much older, I get them just to do what you said Harry, to have fun and recharge the mojo. You have done a wonderful job on this build Harry well done and thanks for showing us the process. Al

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Al... always happy to share my mad methods

[@briankirwan6958]

Nice one Harry nice old school modelling skills on display. Also like your stand ; you put an magnet in the fuselage before you buttoned it up me thinks ?

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I’m magnetic enough already Brian :)

[@schweinhund227]

Nice to see the end results Harry ! you have put in a lot of efforts and time on this little guy ! Well done mate !

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It was a labour of love... so much fun!

[@Raptor50mike]

Nice to see a fun build video of an old kit. I remember building that kit in my youth.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks mate.... I’d never made Matchbox kits back in the 60’s, so it was a lot of fun for me to experience it now.

[@kiwiruna9077]

Hi Harry, A brilliant build and great video. Best of all it was fun.Cheers from kiwiland

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Chris... I typed slowly ‘cause I know you guys don’t read fast! Hehe

[@a.g.6224]

Hats off to you sir!. One of the most fantastic build i have ever seen!.And from an old Matchbox kit!!!!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

You are too kind, Arve

[@767bob]

Nice, you did a great job on this kit. Kit bashing and some cutting/fitting are a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing on your video.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Bob

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Great video Harry, followed it on the FB group but was nice to see it as a vid all together, cracking result! 👍

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks matey

[@judebrad]

I built this back in 1975, it had a horrible colour scheme out of the box, tan brown instead of your green sprue. I never did like the Matchbox nose they picked. Your result is amazing to see.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Judebrad… it was a mojo restoring build for me which I thoroughly enjoyed.

[@MrMoosModels]

Very nicely done Harry! I did a 1/72 Matchbox Hurricane a while ago and it was a blast! Got to love the old Matchbox kits.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Mr Moo... I am becoming a fan of Matchbox myself now.

[@MrMoosModels]

Here is my little Hurricane, far from perfect but good fun: flic.kr/p/V55VXJ

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Very nice... I like the spinning prop and are those French rondels on it?

[@MrMoosModels]

Yes Harry they are. Got some stick for it due to the kit being a Mk.II with a metal wing but the decals were for a Mk.I with a fabric wing. Bloody rivet counters hey! Anyway I enjoyed it.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Came up great... Fokker the Rivet Counters!

[@MrRon6977]

Damn Harry, you took a crap kit and turned into a fantastic build. Its all about fun. Love what you do... And do what you love.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It’s all about the love man!

[@waynebrinker8095]

I built a Matchbox model of an Australian made Beaufighter Mk 21 and I weathered mine similarly. They were used hard and received a minimum of maintenance on rudimentary jungle airfields. I believe that often models are overly weathered, but not here. Now I really want to build a thimble nose, so when I saw you cutting it. ÷( Very nicely done! You are absolutely right about losing one's fear of f'ing up. I have an irrational fear of botching good kits and it's led to stashing them and building 40 year old ones. I'm turning over a new leaf right NOW....probably....I think.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Be daring and don’t have a care... you never know what you might accomplish.

[@philevans5390]

Great job Harry,great weathering.Have not made a matchbox kit since 1982.The Victor bomber.all the best Phil.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Phil... I never nade them as a teenager... Matchbox is now a new experience for me in my 6th decade

[@MrBMBuilder]

Very nice work Harry glad to see you could get out of bed to do it

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I needed to stretch my legs!

[@garyhicks9150]

Nice build Harry

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Gary, it was a lot of fun!

[@LawyerPapa]

"Lowering the expectations, and relieve yourself of pressure..." now, that's a word of wisdom. I came here to see what the size would be in 1/72nd scale as opposed to 1/48th scale. But I take away something good. Thank you for the wise words.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

For imagining size in scale think of 1/72 as about half the size (area) of 1/48 (The math shows it at 0.4444 less area) and if you compare 1:32 with 1:72 then it’s a factor of 5 in area (math is 0.1975). So plan for twice as much paint for 1/48 but 5 times much for 1/32. Amazing when you do the math.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Brilliant job, Dude! 👍🏻

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jurgenerikalex-hiron5167]

Congratulations ! Well done ! It looks gorgeously...

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Jurgen

[@plastikid1668]

Wow, cool. Well done!! I love the result.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks matey

[@militarymodellerpaul5932]

Looks great Harry’ its all about the fun.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Grinning from ear to bloody ear mate!

[@type2280303]

this one is absolutely stunning Harry, love how it turned out !!! and i love your videos always allot off fun, love the flight scene :p and always learning some things with you what can you ask more for ;-)

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

You want more! LOL thanks Jean

[@thomasdailey9280]

Great job Harry . Funny how that fun little build turned into a kitbash . But it looks great and you still have another Beaufighter to build .

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I know! Double the fun!

[@sergliver5845]

Привет !! Классно у Вас получилось перед вентилятором "лететь" 👍😅 Я смеялся над этой шуткой !!!! Хорошая модель и руки из того места растут ! Здорово ! 👏

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Glad you liked my joke

[@michaelvalenzuela2528]

Nice Job. Matchbox seemed to put more effort into some kits, less in others. they spanned the scale from 1 to 100 as far as quality.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks

[@markcrustbucket]

Some would say that this build has to much weathering but i think it looks great,it really made this Beaufighter look good without this much it would have looked boring, well done!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Actually I did my research and for a Beaufighter in the Pacific flying out of muddy airstrips in Port Moresby it’s probably not weathered enough!

[@SmallSoldier]

Good job on a dog of a kit Harry. It's always hard to say "now I'll stop" when your doing something simple.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It becomes addictive

[@johnmauldon2603]

Love it

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks John

[@johnmaddox7432]

A beautiful build and story as usual Harry. Maybe you could paint the base as the Australian roundel. Cheers from the US.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks John... that is a great idea for the base... I might just do it!

[@FineKits]

That looks great. Nice work

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks FineKits

[@jeanmarcgalzy7747]

Magnifique travail monsieur et de bonne explication Très beau modèle Je suis abonné de FRANCE 👍 Magnificent work sir and good explanation Very nice model I enjoy watching your video this is a pleasure for the eyes 😎👍 I am subscribed of France 🇫🇷👍 And I would be proud to have you as subscriber too 👍

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks matey

[@turtleneck9995]

Amazing

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Matey

[@TheFulcrum2010]

Overall a very good build although on a personal choice level I would have calmed the shine down a bit more and less chipping on the top colours. But you've managed to turn a pigs ear into a silk purse Harry.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Fulcrum... I matched the chipping to actual photos from the Pacific Arena.. the Australian Beaufighters did really get that worn and weathered.

[@wullieg7269]

I can't remember which maker...but..w.w.1 aircraft at 1/72 are great.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Roden make a lot of very nicely moulded 1:72 Great War aircraft kits

[@philevans5390]

I am the same Harry,,in my sixth decade,I try to model kits in bigger scale, eye's getting bad.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes this is a problem with age... I have sold all my 1:700 scale ships and only build 1:350 or larger now... rarely build 1:72 aircraft or armour unless it’s a largish kit like this Beaufighter

[@davidsirett5560]

The Airfix Bristol Beaufighter box top says 1/72 scale but the side says 1/48

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Hilarious!

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

Yes that was so comic !

[@kirovskiecrab1365]

I think they made a mistake on the side of the airfix beaufighter box.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Box counter! LOL... ok what was it?

[@kirovskiecrab1365]

Harry Houdini Models Its the fact it says 1/48 on the side.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Well I’ll be a Wombat’s uncle... look at that!

[@Bengineeringprojects]

great build and it looks great, i had a go at the tf 10 really enjoyed it kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3y1eZ6ohpqGn6s

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It’s a fun subject. I have the new tool Revell one in 1:48 to build one day

[@YAHUAHsgotmysix]

I thoroughly enjoyed that Harry! You did a great job. I really agree, that when the pressure's off, the confidence is up! Well done👍

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Mate I had a grin from ear to ear working on this kit.. no expectations... just creative imagination and no pressure. Loved it.