The established publisher’s latest softback is ideal if you’re building new-tool Bristol Beaufort kits by Airfix and/or ICM.
Valiant Wings’ Airframe Detail series is highly useful for modellers. It offers a mix of period photos and factory drawings, museum walk-rounds, camouflage and markings notes and a modelling section. On that last subject, this, the tenth in the range, provides not just kit/accessory/decal listings, but also full build features. In this instance the modelling effort has been put into the new toolings from Airfix (1/72) and ICM (1/48). While both kits are splendid, such is the detail in Valiant’s book that super-detailers can add so much more to both, to produce show-stopping builds.
See a full build of Airfix's 1/72 new-tool Bristol Beaufort
Beaufort nuances
There are excellent black-and-white photos throughout the opening Brief History and Technical Description chapters, the former section also featuring full statistics for major Beaufort sub-types. And besides wartime shots and revealing factory drawings, the latter chapter also supplies handy studies of restored aircraft. The cockpit views are particularly good, but all facets of the Beaufort are investigated visually… undercarriage, turrets, the lot.
Modellers contemplating colour schemes have much to employ in the Camouflage & Markings section. Along with the ample, informative text there are 30-plus colour profiles and two small plan illustrations. It’s here that (especially if you don’t know the subject well) that you come to appreciate the variety of camouflage applied to the Beaufort. There are various fuselage codes you can opt for on Dark Earth and Dark Green machines, and different examples in maritime shades can be replicated. The possibility of airframes in desert tones, Coastal Command high-sided white and Australian Foliage Green add extra spice. The colour profiles offer much in this regard, serving to inspire and providing valuable notes on camouflage.
The two builds by Libor Jekl and Steve Evans are of great quality, with clear in-progress photographs exhibiting good depth of field. Full descriptions of all stages are present, including any aftermarket additions. You’ll also be amazed at the number of such products now available for the Beaufort. Valiant’s book closes with a list of RAF/Commonwealth user squadrons. And all this for just £18.95, on high-grade paper and wrapped in a pleasingly thick cover. This book is invaluable even if you’re tackling just one Beaufort, but build several on a theme and it will truly come into its own. It’s available direct from Valiant Wings.
Airframe Detail No 10
The Bristol Beaufort A Technical Guide
By: Richard A Franks
Format: A4, perfect bound
ISBN: 978-1-912932-21-4
