Fighting the Beau

[lancfan]

That is just what it is Martin, this shows it fairly well.
http://yolo.net/~jeaton/fsmforum/heaterduct.jpg;

David.

[philp]

Love the build so far.

The Beau is one of my favorite British planes along with the Beaufort, Swordfish, Sunderland and Typhoon. Oh, and those Spits, Hurris and Mossies are ok too.

[Clashcityrocker]

Looking nice, but what is the long pipe in the cockpit?

Nigel

Nigel,

I think it's a heating duct. Somewhere in the mid fuselage there should be a vertical pipe, which takes air heated by the engine exhaust, ducted into the fuselage and transfers it to this one. One end goes to the observer, and the other ends in the cockpit (I think).

regards,

Martin

Cool, thanks for the information. That may have been my first guess, second was something to do with the call of nature

Nigel

[TobyC]

You're doing a fine job with this and the detail work is excellent. I often wonder why Beaufighters are seldom done. I think they're a great looking aircraft.

[TomW]

This is real top notch modelling right here Martin, the scratch built additions and reshaping are really paying off. I look forward to seeing it all come together.

Regards

Tom

[Martin R]

Thank you all for your kind comments. They were much appreciated.

So, I have done some desultory scribing of the fuselage - most on the upper section and on bits that have limited curvature. I have also now got the wings on, finishing the major airframe components. There were numerous gaps to fill, which have now had a thick application of filler:





So, there's plenty of sanding and scribing in my future . . .

Plenty to do after that but I hope to at least get to the painting stage before the end of the GB.

regards,

Martin

[PaulBradley]

Looking god, Martin.

[Martin R]

Looking god, Martin.

Thanks, Paul, although I make no claims of Deity.

regards,

Martin

[Jagewa]

Martin, some fantastic filler whittling there, you'll have to try a plastic kitset one day.

[Martin R]

Martin, some fantastic filler whittling there, you'll have to try a plastic kitset one day.

Yeah, that'd be a novelty, wouldn't it?

So, after some sanding, I was mulling what to do about scribing the curved line across the wing root which represents the edge of the wing root fairing, when I thought: it's a fairing, so it should be a raised line not a recessed one! One quick rummage in the "useful materials" box turned up some wine bottle top foil, which after some pressing into shape was trimmed to form some wing root fairings, thus:



It's my first time trying that, so I'm calling that a success!

And, as you will no doubt already have noticed, I got tired of waiting and stuck on the Aeroclub engines:



So, it's beginning to look like a Beau. I figure I should now just go for broke and whack on a coat of primer. That'll at least show what I still have to do with filling, sanding and the like.

regards,

Martin

[Clashcityrocker]

Drink up Beaufighter builders. Nice work with the foil.

Nigel

[Jagewa]

Looking real nice Martin, those replacement Bristols make a real difference. ( as the preacher said to the actress..)

The foil fairings are a great idea, and those Maverick oil coolers have turned out great.

[PaulBradley]

Really neat idea for the fairings.

[Martin R]

Thanks, chaps!

However, what with the Farnborough show and my daughter's birthday today, no further progress has been made.

I hope to return to the build tomorrow and butcher some Aeroclub Halifax supercharger intakes to fit my bird. Also, a closer inspection of the cowling join has enlightened me that even more filling will be required behind the cowl flaps <sigh!>

If I can get that lot squared away, I don't reckon I'm far from applying the first (of many, probably) coats of primer. More anon.

regards,

Martin

[Molly-new]

Coming together nicely now Martin, and a neat trick with the wine bottle top foil.