Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on April 02, 2017, 08:18:02 AM
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(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_000.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_000.jpg.html)
The Bristol Blenheim is one of the most notable multi-role aircraft of W.W. II.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bristol%20Blenheims%201n4.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bristol%20Blenheims%201n4.jpg.html)
Less well-known is a night-fighter derivative, the Bristol Brenheim.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_001.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_001.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_002.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_002.jpg.html)
It all started after His Majesty George VI was given an opportunity to test-fire the famous Bren Gun.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/HM%20and%20Bren.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/HM%20and%20Bren.jpg.html)
The King became an instant fan of the weapon and vigorously advocated for its wider deployment.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bren%20gun.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bren%20gun.jpg.html)
Early in the war, the R.A.F. saw the Bren as a potential answer to a chronic shortage of guns for their aircraft. Thus the Bren Aero Gun Mk. I was born.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bren%20aero%20gun%20mk%201.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bren%20aero%20gun%20mk%201.jpg.html)
As luck would have it, at the time Bristol was working on modified versions of the Blenheim. The Blitz gave their nascent night-fighter program a boost and a platform to make use of the new Bren Aero Gun Mk. I took flight in record time.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_003.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_003.jpg.html)
The aircraft performed reasonably well and seemed capable of protecting the night skies over England. Due to its unique armament, it was called the Brenheim.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_004.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_004.jpg.html)
Pilots were universal in their praise of the new night-fighter's flight characteristics.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_005.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_005.jpg.html)
They also appreciated the Brenheim's performance as a powerful gun platform, able to bring withering destructive fire to enemy bombers.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_006.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_006.jpg.html)
Their only complaint was the limited ammo capacity of the Bren guns. Unfortunately, a memo written early in the test stage ordering a fix took a while to make it out of the Air Ministry.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/buried%20in%20paperwork.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/buried%20in%20paperwork.jpg.html)
However, a quick and dirty answer was found when Bristol fabricated a ventral gun tray holding four more Brens.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_008.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_008.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_007.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_007.jpg.html)
While this doubled the available rounds from 120 to 240, after 30 seconds of firing, crews were left with nothing but insults to hurl at the enemy.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_009.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_009.jpg.html)
An answer had to be found and engineers burned the midnight oil attempting to increase the Bren Aero Gun's ammo capacity.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bren%20aero%20gun%20mk%202.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Bren%20aero%20gun%20mk%202.jpg.html)
Unfortunately, by the time a workable solution worthy of mass-production was found, the gun shortage was over and newer, more capable aircraft than the Brenheim were entering service.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_011.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_011.jpg.html)
This uniquely armed night-fighter would slip silently into the darkness of ignominy, barely remembered even by those that briefly flew it. Nothing remains of this once proud aircraft today except a rather crude Cutting Hedge conversion set that is so seldom seen it may well be apocryphal.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_010.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_010.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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Interesting. I wonder why they didn't use the belt feed for the Bren? Alternatively, the drum magazine could have worked...
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This all started with a classic 1/72 Airfix Blenheim IV that showed up recently (thanks a million, hamsterman!). Your box art may vary.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Airfix%20Blenheim%20IV%20box.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Airfix%20Blenheim%20IV%20box.jpg.html)
What's inside is pure, vintage Airfix, mad riveter and all.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Airfix%20Blenheim%20IV%20sprues.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Airfix%20Blenheim%20IV%20sprues.jpg.html)
With a name like Airfix you know it'll build fine if you trim the flash carefully and make sure things line up. Of course, mine would be a little different.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_02.jpg.html)
One thing that always bugged me about the Mk IV was that scoop in the nose so the pilot could see. I understand why this was needed, but it just kills the aesthetics for me. Luckily, when it comes to 1/72 scale models, having the pilot being able to see well enough to land the thing isn't a concern. After some careful cutting a Mosquito nose was grafted on along with a new canopy cut from blister pack.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_01.jpg.html)
Of course, I couldn't stop there. Those awful Bristol Mercury engines and cowlings along with the toy-like kit props had to be replaced with something sleeker. Fortunately, the parts from a Williams Bros. B-10 were a good fit.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_03.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_03.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_04.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_04.jpg.html)
I also added the tip of a drop-tank as a nice, aerodynamic fairing for the gun turret.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_05.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_05.jpg.html)
I had to wait until the end to add the ventral gun tray, but this shows how I plugged a few gaps with card on the underside and the fit of the retracted gear.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_07.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_07.jpg.html)
And here's how things looked top-side before paint:
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_06.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_06.jpg.html)
Speaking of paint, a bottle mixed from left-overs of gloss, semi-gloss and flat black acrylic was used to cover most of the model via the old hairy stick.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_00_upper.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_00_upper.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_00_under.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_00_under.jpg.html)
I was trying to be frugal and use up as much of this paint as I could. Since it covered poorly, it took multiple coats so I guess that's some measure of success.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_012.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_012.jpg.html)
Kit decals were used for the most part and they went on astonishingly well considering they must be over 30 years old if not more.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_013.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_013.jpg.html)
The only exception were the fuselage codes. I knew the kit ones would silver terribly over all those rivets so a smaller set was swiped from a sheet for a 1/144 B-17.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_015.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_015.jpg.html)
Kit parts were used for those scary looking guns but oddly enough, none of the ones in the nose were actual gun parts.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_016.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_016.jpg.html)
Since I went with building it gear-up, I had a bunch of left-over struts, etc. to choose from.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_018.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_018.jpg.html)
The ventral tray guns were kit parts. Here's a close-up.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_017.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_017.jpg.html)
I had a blast building this model which took about a week but posting was delayed because I was down with an awful cold.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_020.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_020.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_019.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_019.jpg.html)
I'd like to thank Bill for sending me the kit and Jeff for his invaluable contribution to the back story.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_021.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_021.jpg.html)
I hope you enjoyed the Brenheim and reading a little more aircraft history that's become lost in the darkness of the past.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_022.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_022.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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That certainly makes the old Blenheim look different Brian :) :) :)
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I really, really like the new nose on that one Brian! Bravo!
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Brian, great work as always. The BrenHeim looks rather intimidating in the black paint. :)
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Standing ovation here !
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I was thinking your friend Brian Johnson might have a few words to say about your build Brian:
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2kfgOhqqdek/maxresdefault.jpg)
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Very interesting invention! :-*
(I am speaking of the shape, not of the guns, I dislike killing tools, sorry) ??? :-\
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Really well done, so real looking and sounding, I can think of many people that would totally believe the whole thing. (It is a whiff, isn't it?)
Another Basher beauty.
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Same as pigflyer commented !