Geoffs Airfix 1/72 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IVF

[Geoffers]

Thanks to Ian for sorting this GB, should be interesting to see the varied entries 😀

This will be my entry,
I’ll be doing it in the black scheme (obviously 😅) which just so happens to be an aircraft which was stationed at RAF High Ercall which is just up the road from where I live 😊

Geoff.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I do like this aircraft Geoff. I think I have one in my stash somewhere.

[Geoffers]

Here are the obligatory pictures of the frames etc 😊

It all looks ok, it’s Airfix’s newer crisper type plastic. It will be a mainly OOB build apart from some additional seatbelts, I thought the canopy masks would help me stay sane 😂

Thanks for looking, I probably won’t be able to start it until next week so look out for further updates then 👍

Geoff.

[Geoffers]

Managed some time at the bench yesterday so got the build under way 😊

Surprisingly for an aircraft the instructions do not start with the cockpit but instead it is the wings and fuselage first.

The lower wing spars in the picture first followed by the undercarriage parts with the top wingspan glued into place in place to add rigidity to the whole thing.



I had a go at dry fitting it and it all seems to go together reasonably well.

All the internal parts need painting before I can join it all together.

Next up was the cockpit which is a bit of a complicated affair, excluding the internal parts it is made up of two grey plastic parts and four clear parts so a lot of room for error 😳.

Firstly all the internal parts needed adding, these includ a four piece pilots seat, control column, bomb timers position and other bits and bobs.

This will all be painted before I join it together with the clear parts.

The kit includes a transfer for the instrument panel, I wasn’t keen on how it looked so have ordered a replacement plus some seatbelts which I am waiting to arrive.

So painting next, thanks for looking 👍

Geoff.

[colin m]

Good choice Geoff. I built the same model a while back and Airfix made a really good job of this one. I remember the cockpit being a bit 'funny' but at least you get to see the detail through the 'greenhouse'.

[Geoffers]

Thanks Colin, yes I think the build will hinge around how the cockpit goes together and joins to the fuselage. There’s a lot to go wrong 😨

[Richard48]

Great start Geoff."I see a Blenheim and i want it paint it black",Get me coat doors open hehe

[Geoffers]

😂😂 thank you Steve 👍

[flyjoe180]

Great choice Geoff, looks good so far. It’s not a’sexy’ aeroplane but definitely purposeful

[Geoffers]

Cheers Joe 👍 You’re right, it’s often overlooked but it was an absolutely vital asset for the RAF in the early stages of WW2

[Geoffers]

Hello chaps,

I’ve managed to push on with the build a bit.

Cockpit has been painted and I’ve added a Yahu instrument panel and 3d decal seatbelts.


The seats were added to the port side and once they had settled I added the clear side panels to both sides before the rest of the clear parts were added.
It was a bit of a faff trying to get all the parts together, the fit isn’t great unfortunately and may need a bit of filler in a couple of areas.

While this was all setting I built up the wings and added to the fuselage. They all went together without any problems.

The cockpit could now be glued into place.


A bit more to do but starting to look like a Blenheim now 😊.

Another update soon, thanks for looking 👍

Geoff.

[Jim R]

Great choice. A vital part of the RAF bomber offensive early in WW2. Very wise to buy the masks with all that glazing. The 3D Yahu stuff is good. Cockpit is looking very good.

[stillp]

Those IP and seats look good. Where did you buy the Yahu extras?
Pete

[Geoffers]

Great choice. A vital part of the RAF bomber offensive early in WW2. Very wise to buy the masks with all that glazing. The 3D Yahu stuff is good. Cockpit is looking very good.

Cheers Jim 👍

Yes I chickened out and got the mask set, I couldn’t face all that masking 😂

Geoff.

[Geoffers]

Those IP and seats look good. Where did you buy the Yahu extras?
Pete

Thank you Pete 😊

I got the seatbelt set and instrument panel from Hannants.

Geoff.

[colin m]

Good work Geoff, it looks like you beat the fwd fuselage and got it fitted quite nicely.

[Geoffers]

Good work Geoff, it looks like you beat the fwd fuselage and got it fitted quite nicely.

Thanks Colin, yes I was worried how it would work out but think I’ve got away with it 😅

Geoff.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

lovely work on the office area Geoff. Great progress