ICM Bristol Beaufort Mk.I 1:48 – build review

Full Review with Dai Williams
Kit ref: 48310

Just before we get started, here’s a look at how it all turned out…

The Ukrainian manufacturer ICM’s new Bristol Beaufort kit had been anticipated for some time. Given the current awful situation in Ukraine, I was both surprised and extremely pleased to see it finally arrive.

This is quite a complex kit with no less than 79 steps in the instruction booklet!

The main parts of the kit are held on seven sprues in medium grey plastic. There are finely recessed panel lines on the outer surfaces.

There is no rivet detail on the outer surfaces and while some modellers will be very happy with this, those that are not could always add it for themselves.

There is sharp detail on the fuselage interior with a representation of the internal structure.

The Beaufort had extensive glazing around the cockpit areas and so I thought that the fuselage interior would benefit from careful painting and perhaps some shading and dry-brushing to bring out the detail.

There are a few ejector pin marks on the inside surfaces which would be visible on the completed model. These needed to be filled and sanded away. However, if you don’t like the idea of doing this because of the risk of damaging the surrounding rib detail, they could probably be covered over easily with thin card or foil.

There is a feature in the Techniques Bank area of Scale Modelling Now showing how to do this. The link to this is shown below.
Getting rid of mould ejector pin and sink marks – Scale Modelling Now

There is also rib detail in the tailwheel well which I think is a nice touch.

The overall fit of the major kit components is good. The photo below shows dry-fitting of some of the main interior parts.

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