R.A.A.F. Bristol Beaufort MKVIII (Special Hobby 1/72)

R.A.A.F. BRISTOL BEAUFORT MK VIII

No. 6 Squadron, Goodenough Island, circa 1943/44

Flight Lieutenant William "Bill" McRae Wood, DFC

(Special Hobby 1/72)

Hi all!

I usually don't build models under commission, but in this case it was a especial request and a favor to a fellow member of my modelling club (SAPMA).

Dudley Hokings is a senior member of the club and due his age he no longer is able to build a model. It doesn't mean he is present in our meetings and he loves a good chat.

Anyway! One day he approached me and asked if Ifould do hem a favor. He was a very close friend with a veteran who used to fly the Beaufort during the world war 2. He has now passed away, but Dudley is still friend with his wife Trish. He said he had a kit and decals do make the exactly version flew by his friend Bill Wood. Of course I said Yes!

Here are some reference photos:

Dudley gave me some valuable information that he had been gathering along the years for this dreamed project. It has precious war photos from the pilot private collection and also the pilot's accounting regarding the correct serial number for his aircraft. The nose art consists of a representation of Diana "The Goddess of Hunt", some bombs representing the missions and "Trish" Bill Wood's wife name.

The kit

The kit he had available was not the RAAF version but another British original version of the Beaufort. However, it has most of the parts necessary to convert to Australian built Beaufort (Pratt Whitney engines, antennas etc), but not the essential part to convert the dorsal turret (I had to scratchbuilt it).

The kit was airbrushed using Gunze acrylics:

1. Sky Blue underside: H323
2. Light Green camouflage: (H302)
3. Light Earth camouflage: (10% H47 + 90% H72)

Weathered using a combination of techniques like oils, pigments and water colours.

A final coat of Gunze H20 Flat Clear was sprayed overall.

The antenna wire is made of EZLine.

The model:

Here we are Dudley and I when I did present him with the finished model during our last
SAPMA monthly meeting.