Bristol Beaufighter X (oz3258)

About this Plan

Bristol Beaufighter. Scale control line twin-engined WWII fighter.

Quote: "How to build a 39 in span of the twin-engined fighter that was tagged Whispering Death. Bristol Beaufighter, by Brian Fry.

MULTI-ENGINED C/L scale models have a fascination all their own, both for modellers and the public, and the purposeful lines of this 39 in span Beaufighter are guaranteed to draw the crowds anywhere. If you like your models with 'bits and pieces' stuck on, then the Beaufighter can provide the lot - guns, bombs, rockets, torpedoes and what have you! Construction is fairly straightforward although not for the absolute novice.

Wing Centre-section: The wing centre-section should be made up first so that it can be put aside to set thoroughly. Cut out and assemble the two 1/4 in ply main wing spars and engine bearers, using Durofix or a good Hardwood glue. Make a point of using oak or a really hard wood for the bearers, and your engines will never leave the 'plane 'till it is matchwood!

Make up the undercarriage units from 12 swg wire and bolt in place. This is a good time to install the fuel tanks permanently, it may save no end of chopping later! Test them for leaks now and when satisfactory, seal up the vents from dust. Put the whole assembly aside to set.

Fuselage: Pin the 1/4 in sq balsa spine and keel to the plan and add the left-hand halves of formers F1-F7. Cement in the 1/4 in sq tailplane support, chamfering it at the rear to 1/8 thick. The rear should be supported off the plan with a scrap of 1/8 balsa so that then the right-hand T/P support is added, the total width of the fuselage is 1/4 in, later the 3/32 planking will bring this up to 7/16 wide.

Make up the bellcrank assembly with two 1/8 in ply platforms, add lead outs, and after removing the framework from the plan, firmly cement into the slots in formers F2 and F3. The right-hand half formers are then cemented in place together with the right half of the tailplane support.

In order to facilitate the next step, cement a strip of 3/32 planking along each side of the fuselage (from F1 to tail) to run flush with the lower edge of the cockpit; this will prevent the fuselage distorting when the 1/4 in sq keel is cut. This is done to allow the wing centre-section to be glued (Durofix) to F2 and F3. Do this now, before the fuselage is planked. Cut the keel at an angle to give a better join when cementing the pieces back in place. The position of the main wing spars should have been marked on F2 and T3 to ensure accuracy in lining up, but sight along the fuselage as a double check.

Make up the tailplane from two laminations of in. sheet, sandwich-ing in between cloth hinges and separate control horns of 18 swg wire. Chamfer for dihedral, pre-cement, then cement together and put aside to set..."

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