1:48 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VI - PE Set for Revell

Photo-etched accessories for the Beaufighter Mk.VI in 1:48 scale

A set of photo-etched parts for a model of the Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VI. It is prepared for the kit from Revell in 1:48 scale, so the shapes and spacings of the parts match that plastic. Photo-etch replaces elements that cannot be made thin enough in injection-molded plastic and moves a model a step up in the small details.

The real subject

The Bristol Beaufighter was a British twin-engine, two-seat heavy fighter of the Second World War. It came about by reworking the Beaufort torpedo bomber and became famous for its exceptionally heavy armament concentrated in the nose. It served as a night fighter equipped with radar and as an attack aircraft against ships and ground targets. The crew consisted of the pilot and a second man in a separate cabin behind the wing. The Mk.VI version was among the most widespread and served in several roles at once.

Working with photo-etch

• Cut the parts out with a sharp blade on a surface rather than snapping them off in your hand.
• Make the bends over the edge of a bending tool or at least over a straight metal ruler, so that they stay sharp.
• They are glued with cyanoacrylate applied in minute drops; liquid cement for plastic will not hold here.
• Degrease the faces before painting and lay down a primer, otherwise the paint will rub off the metal.
• Fit the small parts with tweezers and over a tray, from which they can be found after they spring away.

Who the set is for

For the modeler who already has the basic build in hand and wants to see fine detail on the Beaufighter. Working with photo-etch calls for patience and a steady hand, but the result changes the look of a finished model more than most other accessories. A kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.