So the premise is...., what if the RAF wanted their own version of a heavily armed bomber escort? The idea being that they transmit a `signal`, not too obvious, to lure the Luftwaffe night fighters close to them to be engaged by either themselves or Mosquito night fighters working in tandum?
Ok, so the backstory will need a little more work but first I needed an aircraft that was heavily armed, up gunned and had the range.
Back to my old friend, the Privateer.
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/007-8.jpg)
Been working on this for a few days and so far have done some work on the cockpit and sprayed the main fuselage parts black.
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/004-15.jpg)
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/001-16.jpg)
Some bad memories are starting to flood back to me with this kit, Massive trench line in the waist gun panel so that was dealt with first.
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/002-78.jpg)
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/003-76.jpg)
Wait for that to dry and then smooth off later.
Next was the need to answer how this aircraft would deal with upward firing weaponary a used by the Luftwaffe night fighters towards the second half of the war.
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/005-14.jpg)
The kean eyed amoung you will notice that the ball turret mount is upside down. Yep, thats right, the turret is gonna be where the bomb aimer would sit. That way he can train his guns down and slightly forward which is where the ideal German night fighter attack would commence allowing for deflection.
Next I needed to cut a hole just behind where the bomb bays are so that I can fit a barbette with two .50 cals which is controlled by an gunner looking downwards through a glass dome towards the rear.
![](http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/tc2324/006-20.jpg)
Much to do, so little time.