My farther flew with 217 Squadron from September 1939 to April 1941. He was involved in a number of bombing raids on the French coast attacking shipping and shore installations. After his tour he was posted to RAF Millom as a wireless instructor and ended his service at RAF Skebrae in the Orkneys where he was a W.O. In charge of a comms. section. Incidentally, 217 Squadron was posted to Malta en route to the far east where they carried out attacks on convoys crossing the Mediterranean from Italy to supply Rommel’s army in North Africa. Losses soon mounted dramatically as most, if not all of these attacks, were carried out by Beauforts carrying torpedoes. I have the Airfix 1/48 scale Anson Mk1 and after your great video, will look into the ICM Beaufort kit.
@@garys_stuffGary, I have his log book and his complete Irvin flying suit. I also have an Aircraft W.T. Operating signals book - Air Publication 982 that my father has annotated. Like many of his generation, he did not talk much about his wartime experiences, though I do have a letter he wrote to a researcher who was writing about 217 Squadron. Here are a few sentences that vividly describe midair combat. “The first operational flight in a Beaufort was on 29th November 1940 which ended when L9807 (A Flight) was severely damaged by a couple of ME 109’s. We fortunately had self sealing fuel tanks or I don’t think I would be writing this letter today. The rear turret was virtually blown away yet the air gunner, Sgt. Enticknapp survived. The aircraft was riddled and was not repaired until January 1941. My father joined the R.A.F in 1938 and would have definitely stayed in after the war, if he had not had a major back operation (ruptured discs) in 1945. If personnel were deemed not A1 and fit for flying they were demobbed. I remember my father saying that during the war, aircrew could suffer from all sorts of medical complications and still be available for operational flying.
The trick with those leafing edge gates is to leave plenty on, build the wing halves together and then address the cutting and fettling. Much better than trying to do each half separately.
Hi Gary, that looks to be a great kit, if I was not down sizing my stash, I would seriously consider getting this kit, thanks for this excellent review, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia, Les
It looks a really nice kit. I note that ICM usually get the builder to drill out locating pin holes dependent on what version or weapons load you want. Often I don't want to decide that at the beginning of the build so I drill all the holes out 0.5mm then later I can decide on what I want and it is really easy to fill unwanted holes with a tiny bit of CA glue on the end of a pin.
Hello Gary, I'm always fascinated that ICM is committed to manufacturing such quality, variety and volume in their current environment. I appreciate their courage combined with the fact they are a family owned business. This is not a criticism however, I've noticed on that last few kit reviews there is definitely a very noticeable but fine texture to the larger surfaces . It would seem a primer is definitely needed.. Next this may be a sin in modeling, however, I rarely use those super fine decals marking access points, they require a lot of handing of the finished model, not sure that is critical to other builders but it could reduce kit cost.They do make a difference on some aircraft over 1/48, definitely useless on 1/72. Same goes for instrument panel decals. Last, do you use the ICM PAINTS? I'm not sure where I would get them in the colonies, but it would be nice to have colors matching the instructions . Thanks for a great box review, Cheers Bob
My farther flew with 217 Squadron from September 1939 to April 1941. He was involved in a number of bombing raids on the French coast attacking shipping and shore installations. After his tour he was posted to RAF Millom as a wireless instructor and ended his service at RAF Skebrae in the Orkneys where he was a W.O. In charge of a comms. section. Incidentally, 217 Squadron was posted to Malta en route to the far east where they carried out attacks on convoys crossing the Mediterranean from Italy to supply Rommel’s army in North Africa. Losses soon mounted dramatically as most, if not all of these attacks, were carried out by Beauforts carrying torpedoes. I have the Airfix 1/48 scale Anson Mk1 and after your great video, will look into the ICM Beaufort kit.
Keith, your father was a hero. Great to hear his story, do you have his log books anywhere? You could tailor the kit to his kite!
...and did he go the extra mile?
@@garys_stuffGary, I have his log book and his complete Irvin flying suit. I also have an Aircraft W.T. Operating signals book - Air Publication 982 that my father has annotated. Like many of his generation, he did not talk much about his wartime experiences, though I do have a letter he wrote to a researcher who was writing about 217 Squadron. Here are a few sentences that vividly describe midair combat. “The first operational flight in a Beaufort was on 29th November 1940 which ended when L9807 (A Flight) was severely damaged by a couple of ME 109’s. We fortunately had self sealing fuel tanks or I don’t think I would be writing this letter today. The rear turret was virtually blown away yet the air gunner, Sgt. Enticknapp survived. The aircraft was riddled and was not repaired until January 1941. My father joined the R.A.F in 1938 and would have definitely stayed in after the war, if he had not had a major back operation (ruptured discs) in 1945. If personnel were deemed not A1 and fit for flying they were demobbed. I remember my father saying that during the war, aircrew could suffer from all sorts of medical complications and still be available for operational flying.
ICM do make some gorgeous looking kits.
Cheers Gary.
The trick with those leafing edge gates is to leave plenty on, build the wing halves together and then address the cutting and fettling. Much better than trying to do each half separately.
Excellent kit now i wish icm would do beaufighters.
Bloody hell Gary I was thinking about one of these kits today and then you turn up with this review…….might just have to get one now!
Thanks Gary. Hope it helps. Everything you do is very much appreciated.
Thanks so much Rob, very kind of you mate.
Hi Gary, that looks to be a great kit, if I was not down sizing my stash, I would seriously consider getting this kit, thanks for this excellent review, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia, Les
Gary you have a hornet on your right shoulder lol
Hope it hasn't got the 50mm gun 😂😂😂.
Take care
Looks like a decent kit Gary
Thanks Gary..Looking forward to the hampden next year possibly.
It looks a really nice kit. I note that ICM usually get the builder to drill out locating pin holes dependent on what version or weapons load you want. Often I don't want to decide that at the beginning of the build so I drill all the holes out 0.5mm then later I can decide on what I want and it is really easy to fill unwanted holes with a tiny bit of CA glue on the end of a pin.
Nice review Gary. Thanks.
Such a nice model it looks like. Will have to build one. Thanks Gary.
ICM really do do nice models and subjects 😊
Hello Gary, I'm always fascinated that ICM is committed to manufacturing such quality, variety and volume in their current environment. I appreciate their courage combined with the fact they are a family owned business. This is not a criticism however, I've noticed on that last few kit reviews there is definitely a very noticeable but fine texture to the larger surfaces . It would seem a primer is definitely needed.. Next this may be a sin in modeling, however, I rarely use those super fine decals marking access points, they require a lot of handing of the finished model, not sure that is critical to other builders but it could reduce kit cost.They do make a difference on some aircraft over 1/48, definitely useless on 1/72. Same goes for instrument panel decals. Last, do you use the ICM PAINTS? I'm not sure where I would get them in the colonies, but it would be nice to have colors matching the instructions . Thanks for a great box review, Cheers Bob
I'm currently working on the B-26 and using just ICM paint and primer.
Hey , I see you have some stuff
Nice to see this in 1/48 ,but for this scale there is not enough detail for me. Maybe it will be better with more aftermarket.