Firstly many thanks to you all for your kind comments about my Halifax. Glad you liked it.
Tony C you asked about the build, It was interesting to say the least but not beyond the means of anyone with average skills. It is actually the longest time (by far) that I have taken to complete a model at nearly 4 months on and off but I did have some other projects on the go too during glue and filler drying periods.
I didn’t go to any great lengths on the interior, one because its not very accurate and two because you cant see a great deal anyway. I replaced the cowlings, engines and props too and these came from the Tamiya Beaufighter. I got these from Hobbylink in Japan so as not to have to waste two kits. In my opinion these are much better and indeed rounder than the kit ones.
I also modified the canopy to more closely represent the way it is, namely deepening the port side by the pilot. Its not perfect but I think looks closer.
One major problem I did have was that when everything was assembled there was a definate bow on the port outer wing assy. After a failed attempt to straighten it I ended up cutting it off at the inner engine nacelle and borrowing another wing from a friends kit. The only problem now is that despite writing and emailing both FM and the importers (Hannants)to ask about purchasing a replacement for him neither of them have bothered to answer!! Good customer relations, I think not! Its not as though I wanted it for nothing either. Ho Hum…
As you can see I also squared off the wingtips as the rounded ones in the kit are not approriate for Friday 13th. No mention is made in the instructions about it either, (if you can call them that).I also re engraved all the panel lines and completely smoothed out all the rough texture of the plastic. The paint finish is Hannants Xtracrylix and other than the nose art decal new roundels and squadron codes were used as the kit ones are too bright.
So there we are thats basically it.
I don’t envy you either HP57 thats one hell of a project you’ve got there and I wish you every success with it.
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