Computer rendered 3D image showing the late model Beaufighter Mk.X
A great many modellers will have been delighted to see that this year's Airfix catalogue included details of a newly tooled example of the mighty Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X, which was arguably the most effective heavy fighter/strike aircraft of the war. As is often the case with these new projects, the catalogue included computer rendered 3D images of the new model, which really raised the excitement levels as it highlighted the impressive levels of detail that had been incorporated into this new 1/72nd scale tooling.
Although the Bristol Beaufighter actually entered RAF service as the Battle of Britain was just beginning and it was originally intended as a heavy fighter, it was to blossom as a long range maritime strike fighter for Coastal Command. The Mk. X version of the Beaufighter was the last major development of the aircraft and armed with rockets and torpedoes, it took a heavy toll of Axis shipping, operating in large formations and developing aggressive tactics which proved so effective, that shipping movements were restricted to night sailings only.
Beaufighter Mk.X Tooling Updates
The darker areas of this computer rendered 3D image show the new, alternative parts for the late model aircraft
Although still a Mk. X version of the Bristol Beaufighter, the later production aircraft of this series included a number of improvements and alterations which gave the aircraft a very different appearance. The most distinctive of these was the addition of a large dorsal fin fillet, which greatly increased the directional stability of the aircraft. There was also a ‘thimble’ nose A.1 Mk.VIII radar, which gave the aircraft much enhanced target acquisition capabilities.
Other improvements associated with this version of the aircraft included new rocket rails, which carried the projectiles in two banks of two, one rocket above the other and increased the accuracy of rocket attacks. There was also an additional 200-gallon drop tank, a new tail wheel suspension system and large spinners on the propeller hubs. A re-positioning of the gun camera to a new position high on the fuselage, just behind the cockpit canopy was the final improvement which visually altered the appearance of the late mark Beaufighter X aircraft – each one of these modifications has been faithfully produced by the Airfix designers to allow this distinctive version of the Beaufighter to be modelled. This beautiful collection of computer rendered 3D model images clearly highlights the newly tooled pieces for this version of the Beaufighter and will have modellers desperate to get their hands on this attractive new kit.
Test sprue image details of the Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X kit
Test sprue image, showing the alternative parts for the late mark version
Although the decal options for the new Beaufighter kit have not been finalised yet, we know that one of the options will be for an RAF aircraft which was involved in Operation Firedog – between 1948 and 1960, the RAF were involved in mounting strike operations to counter a Guerrilla uprising in Malaya, which involved a number of late mark Beaufighter Mk.X aircraft. Again, as we are sharing this information with you rather early in the production process, we hope to bring you a number of project updates in future editions of Workbench, before the model is released towards the middle of 2016. Until then, these rather appealing CAD images will have to keep us going!
Stunning computer rendered 3D image detailing the alternative parts for the late Mk. X version of the Beaufighter