Bristol Beaufighter T.F.X.
27 Squadron, SEAC, RAF - Burma 1944

The campaign in Burma was fought between 1942-44 and the forces there were often outnumbered by the Japanese forces. Throughout the Burma campaign, Beaufighters were used as long-range low-level strike aircraft against Japanese railroads, lines of communication, airfields and shipping, operating alone or in formations of two up to 500 miles from base. The silence of the Bristol Hercules engines, which gave the Beau the nickname “Whispering Death” served them well, since they would be virtually on top of the target before being heard on the ground. During 15 months of operations between December 1942-March 1944, 27 Squadron flew 397 missions - 337 in daylight and 60 at night, during which they destroyed over 200 locomotives, virtually ending Japanese use of the Burma railroads while destroying over 60 Japanese aircraft during airfield strikes.

This was a vintage Airfix kit with all the problems that come with a 1960's kit. However, the shape looks good and with a little TLC you can build a nice model. The worse fit was the cockpits. I replaced the crew with more modern figures and I am glad I did as you can see them clearly in the cockpit. I used scrap decals to piece together the SEAC insignia and painted the white stripes. These aircraft saw intense combat so I weathered my aircraft heavily with both airbrushed lightened shades of the base paint and washes.