1/48 scale Aircraft Series No.53 plastic model kit of the WWII British RAF Bristol Beaufighter VI night fighter plane.

Tamiya re-issues their superb Beaufighter kit in a “night fighter version,” though the only differences between this and their earlier release is that it's molded in black instead of gray plastic, and the decals differ.

This is easily the best 1/48 kit of the Beaufighter yet produced. Parts are perfectly crisp with no signs of flash anywhere. The radar antennas are extremely fine – they'll require careful handling. Pilot/gunner figure is nicely molded, too (same guy twice). Clear parts, too, are very transparent and not overly thick. Instrument panel detail is raised and good-looking, as is the rest of the modestly-detailed interior. Canopy can be open or closed. There are no separate flap parts.

Most importantly, you're given all the parts necessary to build a night fighter version, with loads of antennas, or an attack bomber version, with loads of rockets. Overall, this kit has quite a few more parts that other recent Tamiya aircraft kits due to the nature of the Beaufighter and all the stuff sticking out from it. Decals are included for aircraft from 600th Squadron and 29th Squadron.

• Markings included for 3 different aircraft.
• Interior detail includes cockpit, observer/gunners seat and instruments, fuselage rib and stringer detail.
• Cockpit detail includes instrument panel with decal for instrument faces, seat with seatbelt decal, control stick and side consoles.
• Detailed Bristol Hercules sleeve valve engines with poly bushing which allows props to spin and be added after the kit has been assembled and painted avoiding breakage.
• Detailed landing gear with enclosed wheel wells.

This plastic kitset requires assembly, paints and glue to complete.

Wingspan: 14–1/2" (37cm)
Fuselage Length: 10–1/2" (27cm)
Tamiya Product Number: 61053
Scale: 1:48

Bristrol's “Beaufighter” was one of the most successful and widely used twin engines fighter types during WW2. The first series production Beaufighter MK.1 entered service in September 1940. With its four nose-mounted 20mm cannons and six 7.7mm machine guns in the wings, this stub-nosed fighter became the most heavily armed aircraft in service with the RAF during the war.

As the German Luftwaffe eventually turned to night bombing in autumn of 1940, priority was put on night fighters and the first operational Beaufighters were fitted with the Airborne Interception (AI) radar, which designated the Mk.1F (F was suffix for Fighter Command). Meanwhile, its rugged construction was thought ideal for long range fighting and escort duties, and the Mk.1C under the Coastal Command became ready for initial operations in late March 1941. Introduction of the more powerful, 1,670hp Hercules VI engines by late 1941 resulted in the Mk.VI. A 7.7mm machine gun being added in the observers canopy for rearward defense, and the horizontal tail plane was modified to have a 12 degree of dihedral, to eliminate the unstable characteristics observed on the preceding types.

The Beaufighters saw active service not only above Europe but also in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Middle East and Pacific area. More than 5,900 Beaufighters of various types were produced.