Introduction
This introduction is as supplied by ICM:
The supply of Bristol Beaufort Mk.I torpedo bombers to the Coastal Command of the RAF began in November 1939. They were immediately utilized in combat operations during the early stages of World War II. In addition to their primary role of torpedo attacks against enemy warships and transports, the aircraft were also employed for bombing raids on land targets, such as the strike on Hamburg oil storage facilities in May 1940 or targets along the western coast of France. Standard armaments for such bombing raids included 250-pound and 500-pound high-explosive bombs. Until April 1941, the Bristol Beaufort remained the sole aircraft capable of carrying the entire range of British aviation ordnance. Following the fall of France, RAF combat aircraft continued to conduct bombing raids against Wehrmacht forces in occupied territory. Air attacks against ground targets – ports and airfields – were carried out by units of Bristol Beaufort until 1942.
This offering from ICM arrives in a sturdy flip-top cardboard tray with a separate card lid showing the artwork. Inside the model parts are packaged in a single plastic bag, with the instruction booklet loose in the box with the decals inside. There are no obvious issues with the mouldings, beyond ejector pin marks that will need to be addressed in some cases. Access for removal of parts is good throughout, there are some plastic shavings which can be seen in some of the photographs, but these do not appear to have come from the models mouldings. This is the 5th Bristol Beaufort release, and again lists new parts. I will be totally honest, my memory is not good enough to know what these are.
The interior of the model is very nicely detailed throughout where needed, but my first critique starts with the floor of the cockpit, where you will need to drill a number of 0.8mm holes. No marks are provided and instead you are expected to use measurements that are in 100th of a millimetre - which disappoints me. The interior walls of the fuselage are detailed with fuselage frame, and this includes fillets for the interior of the wing root. I suspect that some filling will be required in this area. ICM has the usual issue of not tackling the harnesses for the seats, which I feel is a shame as this is required in this scale. I do appreciate that decals are provided to imitate the instrument clusters in the aircraft. The interior detail in the fuselage finishes at the gun turret and I believe that that covers the essentials in the model.
The exterior surfaces of the model have very nicely detailed recessed panel lines. However, I have come up against the same issue as with the cockpit floor in that you need to drill holes using measurements provided in 100th of a millimetre. I do appreciate that ICM has provided the size of the drill bit required to make the hole. The large glazed areas of the model have been nicely tackled, and I have heard no complaints concerning the glazing in any way. The flight control surfaces have been provided as separate parts, and so can be positioned as the modeller wishes within reason. Regarding the inboard flaps on the main wings you do need to make a decision as to which offering you intend to complete the model as, as the 2 optional parts are very different.
The engine nacelles have reasonable interior and exterior detail, where the wheel bays are concerned. I quite like the fact that the main wheel struts are assembled away from the model, and then installed as this gives you good access for positioning finely moulded parts so that you do not knock off of the model. To that end, I suggest you consider not adding the wheels and the doors until the end of construction. The engines have twin banks of pistons in a radial configuration. The gearbox at the front is reasonably detailed. The exhausts from the engine are also nicely detailed, and all in all I feel this is one of the high points of this release. The engine cowling's are not configured to be left open, so far as I can tell.
Defensive weaponry on this aircraft is restricted to twin Vickers machine guns, I believe they are Vickers K with drum magazines. Another Vickers K is mounted through a side port on the left of the fuselage. A rear facing machine gun sits in a gondola under the nose and has been replicated well. The offensive weaponry is provided in 3 options as regards what attaches to the 6 hard points for mounting the bomb load. You have the option of:
GP 250lb Bomb
GP 500lb B0mb
SAP 250lb Bomb
ICM has gone to the trouble of covering the locations for these bomb loads being utilised. It is the addition of the bombs in the bomb bay that you have the requirement to drill holes in the fuselage floor and in the underside of the wings, and so you may wish to remove the connector from the parts and position them manually. Something that ICM should be congratulated on is the inclusion of a mask template for cutting your own masked for use on the glazed areas of the model when painting.
ICM has provided 3 finishing options for this release:
Bristol Beaufort Mk 1, L4449 OA-H, No 22 Squadron, Summer 1940
Bristol Beaufort Mk 1, L4516 OA-W, No 22 Squadron, December 1940
Bristol Beaufort Mk 1, L9878 MW-R, No 217 Squadron, Autumn 1941
Before I finish the review, I like the fact that ICM has provided painting details for the bomb load and included optional colour finishes for them, and also have also provided decals to give the bomb load that extra touch.
Conclusion
This Bristol Beaufort release from ICM is another nice addition to an aircraft line that I do not believe that any of us expected to see. My complaints on this release is the fact that you have to drill holes using 100th of a millimetre measurements. Where as I feel drill marks could have been provided and so making the task much easier. Also the lack of harness detail is something that I feel should have been included and ICM should be looking to cover this in their kit releases. On the plus side, I appreciate the mix of identified finishing options, a generally pleasing interior to the model and great panel line details outside. The effort that has gone into the bomb load and the engines and undercarriage which I feel are particularly nicely detailed areas.