Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[ModelMonkey]

Here's the 1/32 scale Bristol Beaufighter cockpit design at about 85% complete. Some of what you see here will change.

[ModelMonkey]

Closer...

Let's call the Beaufighter cockpit upgrade design 90% complete. Some of what you see here will change.

[ModelMonkey]

Here's the completed design for the TR 9D radio transmitter-receiver which will be included with the 1/32 scale Beaufighter cockpit. It will also be made available separately, and in 1/24 scale. This radio is suitable for other Royal Air Force aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, etc. This is the radio fit to many Royal Air Force fighters during the Battle of Britain.

[ModelMonkey]

Added one more set of screws.

[ModelMonkey]

Test prints for the TR 9D radio are complete in 1/48 scale, 1/32 scale and 1/24 scale. Models in all three scales have been added to the gray resin catalog. Images below are the model in 1/32 scale.

Now it's back to completing the Beaufighter cockpit.

[ModelMonkey]

The 1/32 scale Bristol Beaufighter cockpit design is nearly complete. Some of what you see here will change.

[ModelMonkey]

A bit more good news: the excellent "Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell has a fully dimensioned drawing of�the British 18 inch Mk.XII torpedo.� According to Mr. Campbell, this was "the standard airborne torpedo for the first half of the war and was still in use later in aircraft and to a limited extent in MTBs."��

If there is demand, I can design an accurate 3D-printed�torpedo for your 1/32 scale Beaufighter�and Swordfish models.

For fans of Beaufighters in US service, the aircraft was also known to carry the US-made 21 inch Mk.13 torpedo. I can design a Mk.13 in 1/32 scale if there is sufficient demand for it.

[ModelMonkey]

Released within the next day or so is an accurately sized, shaped and detailed P-51D Mustang upper cowling for 1/24 scale Airfix Mustang kits. Otherwise an excellent model, the Airfix kits' upper cowling is noticeably inaccurate in profile and shape.

This 3D-printed cowling was designed from scans of original North American Aviation blueprints for a precise shape and profile.

[ModelMonkey]

Regarding the new 1/32 scale Beaufighter cockpit, the model should be ready by the weekend.

The last bit of research is to confirm the radio location and radio rack configurations for typical Mk.I, Mk.VI and Mk.X aircraft. Otherwise, the last cockpit features have been designed. Here are left- and right-side canopy sill instruments. These features are to�be fixed to the interior of the Revell kit's fuselage sides. They are depicted in the renderings below in their approximate positions in relation to the�other cockpit parts.

[Joe Simon]

I have to get some Pennsy and Arizona items in the coming months. 1/350 Arizona and 1/700 Pennsylvania.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Joe!

The first Beaufighter cockpit is now printing. It takes about 15 hours to print all of the parts. Here are photos of the pilot seat, instrument panel, and some of the instruments and controls.

[ModelMonkey]

And a few more.

[ModelMonkey]

Here are some renderings of the completed cockpit. More photos of the actual 3D-printed parts will be posted shortly.

[ModelMonkey]

Here is the aileron trimming tab control. The small post on top is the pilot's oxygen supply socket.

[ModelMonkey]

The Beaufighter Mk.IF / Mk.II cockpit is now available.

A Beaufighter Mk.VI / TF.X cockpit will be ready soon. Here's a rendering to show one of the most conspicuous differences, the radio, the radio rack, and their position. References indicate that radios could be installed either on the port or starboard side. This is a port side installation of a TR.5043 radio, the same type used in P-51D and K Mustangs (called an SCR-522-A in US service).

[ModelMonkey]

Good news: the first pair of 1/32 scale Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VI / TF Mk.X cockpits are in the printer. This model differs from the Mk.IF / Mk.II cockpit, already available, in instrumentation, radio type and radio rack configuration.

The cockpits are very large and include several parts. They take an extraordinarily long time to print, about 14 hours. Customers can specific the type of radio to come with their kit, either a TR.1133 (of UK design) or a TR.5043 (of US design).

While we wait for actual models to finish their printing, here are some renderings of the design.

[ModelMonkey]

1/32 scale Beaufighter TF Mk.X "Torbeau" tailplanes at 50% complete. Some of what you see here will change.

[ModelMonkey]

Closer. Some of what you see here will change.

[ModelMonkey]

A bit of a setback for the tailplanes. I designed the trailing edges of the elevators so thin that the printer failed to produce the edge properly.

Stay tuned for tailplanes 2.0.

[ModelMonkey]

1/32 Bristol Beaufighter dihedral tailplanes stabilizer fit check.