DAP Beaufort Mk.V / VI
Conversion Set

to suit Airfix 1/72 kit

High Planes Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Beaufort became the RAAF aircraft of choice for its bomber requirement in 1938, and was the basis for the largest production order up to that time in Australia, with aircraft slated not only for the RAAF, but also as a source for the RAF.

The original Brisol design was slightly modified, with different wheel wells and engines, and the first 50 were designated as the Mk V. These had P&W R-1830 Twin Wasp engines with 2 speed superchargers. The next version, the Mk VI, was identical except that the engines were only fitted with single speed superchargers. Although some saw combat use, the majority served in the training role.

The next production variants, the Mk. VII & Mk. VIII saw extensive combat use by the RAAF in anti-shipping and light bombing roles.*

As may be seen above, Australian manufactured Beauforts departed from their British built counterparts with different engines, nacelles, landing gear doors and enlarged fin.

High Planes Models has now produced a conversion to deliver a Mk.V or Mk.VI early Australian production Beaufort in 1/72 scale.

High Planes Models' 1/72 scale Beaufort Mk.VI / VI conversion comprises 38 parts in pale grey coloured resin; two 3D printed grey parts, and instructions and notes on two double-sided A4 sheets.

Contents are:

• Twin Wasp Engines, Cowls & Gills (Resin)

• DAP pattern Nacelles (3D Print)

• DAP pattern Undercarriage Doors, Intakes & Exhausts (Resin)

• Curtis Electric C532 -D-F20 11' 6" dia Propellers and Hubs (Resin)

• DAP pattern Tail Fin (Resin)

The resin parts are very nicely cast with no serious imperfections that I could see. Details are crisp and fine. There is some wafer-thin resin flash that will be easy and fast to clean up with a sharp hobby knife and a sanding stick.

The majority of the parts have been designed in CAD with the masters 3D printed, which have then been cleaned up and cast conventionally in pale grey resin.

The parts have been packed as sub-assemblies in separate plastic bags. Where appropriate, the bags are clearly labelled Port and Starboard.

The handed DAP-pattern nacelles are 3D printed.

These are very impressive with detail inside and out and only the faintest hint of striations on the outside rear of the nacelles. These will easily be smoothed with a sanding stick.

The two-piece resin Twin Wasp engines are little gems. The simple breakdown does not compromise detail. These will look great when painted up.

The propellers are delicate but perfectly straight in my sample. The blades and hubs are separate parts. The locating points are keyed so the correct pitch should be assured.

The only surgery required is the removal of the Taurus upper rear engine cowl fairing from kit parts B4 and B8. Everything else is a replacement.

The instructions are excellent, with text and illustrations detailing each step of the conversion.

The instructions also include a colour guide with Beaufort paint cross-references to Gunze, Humbrol, SMS, Revell, Tamiya, Xtracolor and Alclad.

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Thumbnail panels:

I think this would be a relatively straightforward conversion for the modeller who mght be considering their first step into mutimedia conversions.

Also now available on High Planes' website is the same conversion with decals for seven Mk.V / VI subjects. The price for this one is AUD$30.06.

This is a comprehensive conversion for the Australian produced Beaufort Mk.V and VI.

The quality of the resin and 3D parts is very good and there will is minimal surgery required to accommodate the new parts.

This is a great way to get yourself an accurate early Australian-production Beaufort Mk.V or VI.

* Historical text courtesy of High Planes Models website

Purchased by the reviewer from High Planes Models

Review Text & Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 1 September, 2021
Last updated 1 September, 2021

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