Hasegawa 1/72 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VI

HASEGAWA 1:72 BEAUFIGHTER MK.VI

Reviewer: Paul Wherran (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 27 October 2001

The Kit:
When the Hasegawa kit was released it was a real boon for the modeller because until this time only crude Frog and Airfix offerings were available, or the High Planes kit which was accurate was limited run technology and required a lot of effort from the modeller to build. Breakdown of the parts is logical with plenty of surface detail scribed on the individual pieces on two major sprues and clear parts for the windscreen and glazing components. Wings are upper and lower halves and everything looks typical of Hasegawa inside the box. As with many of other first up releases of major types for Hasegawa (in this case the Beaufighter Mk.VI) the breakdown of parts suggest that future versions will also be covered in forthcoming releases. I picked up this kit not long after it hit the shelves and as a result missed out on the later release that also included some white metal replacement parts for the exhaust stacks, which are poorly replicated in this kit.

Construction:
The cockpit is fitted out with only a seat, stick and instrument panel that features no console detail in the moldings - that is about as sparse as you can get. However, decals are provided for the instrument and side panels if you want to use them. The seat is very basic and unrealistic, not at all representative of the wooden structure the pilots had to sit on in the Beau!

The kit practically falls together by itself as it is truly well engineered as we have come to expect from this great modelling company! There really is nothing to report on construction other than a few areas that needed a little bit of attention. Of course the seam lines needed sanding and wing joints needed a touch of filler, which is the obligatory task in just about every aircraft kit. The engines fit well with locating pins provided to ensure they are positioned correctly - obviously you need to pay attention onto which wing you are placing the cowling as they can only be placed one way. Again, locating pins and lugs by Hasegawa almost make it impossible to put the cowling on the wrong wing.

The exhaust stacks are very basic pieces of molding and quite incorrect in overall appearance and outline. Thankfully Hasegawa realised this and released later kits with white metal replacement parts - but unfortunately not when I bought mine! This problem didn't surprise me as I would suspect they would be difficult to represent in this scale anyway.

This kit provides the type of wing representation that was affixed to Fighter Command aircraft with .303 calibre machine guns in the leading edges. However, to represent these better the muzzle holes need drilling out and a bit of work to give the underside shell ejection chutes some detail. The tailplanes are also represented with a sharp dihedral although the Mk.VI could be represented with straight tailplanes - but the versions the kit covers are correct in having the dihedral for Fighter Command.

Versions & Decals:
Only two RAF versions are provided for in the kit with a day fighter and night fighter as the options. Both wear the upper Dark Earth and Pale Stone camouflage scheme but Sky Blue and Matt Black on the undersides for the respective versions. As with all Hasegawa kits the decals are a bit on the thick and glossy side but when applied to a smooth gloss surface they conform really well and settle on the model with very little hint of excess carrier film.

Other Mk.VI varieties can also be produced in either the Fighter Command version "Mk.VIF" or Coastal Command version "Mk.VIC". The main difference between the two versions is the wing armament with the VIF-wing discussed above, whereas the VIC wing had the gun muzzles removed and replaced with fuel storage and were thus able to carry rockets as armament as well. Many VIC variants also had straight tailplanes, but obviously you are best advised to check reference material to be sure.

Overall:
You can't really go wrong with this kit - it goes together very well and in my opinion catches the lines and shape of the Mk.VI Beaufighter accurately, other than the exhaust stacks as highlighted above. The level of detail befits the standard Hasegawa offering we have come to expect and very few will be disappointed with this project other than the very discerning Beaufighter fan who might find a rivet or two out of place. Highly recommended.

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