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)
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)
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)
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)
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://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_04.jpg)
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)
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)
And here's how things looked top-side before paint:
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_xprog_06.jpg)
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://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_00_under.jpg)
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)
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)
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)
Kit parts were used for those scary looking guns but oddly enough, none of the ones in the nose were actual gun parts.
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)
The ventral tray guns were kit parts. Here's a close-up.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_017.jpg)
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://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Bristol%20Brenheim/Brenh_019.jpg)
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)
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)
Brian da Basher