1/48 Tamiya Beaufighter TF Mk.X

Gallery Article by Ahmet Cagri Acikgoz on Oct 29 2003

  Republic Day in Turkey 

 

Turkey purchased a number of Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk.X's from the UK during 1947, along with other aircraft like the Mosquito and Spitfire Mk.X. These replaced the Beauforts and Blenheims that were being used for anti-shipping attack and torpedo bombing in Kosekoy; and they were quietly retired after several years.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

The Beaufighter TF Mk.X has a special place in Turkish military aviation history: As far as we know, no photographs of Turkish Beaufighter TF Mk.X's exist. Even the most obscure types that served in Turkey(e.g. Henriot 182, Fw-58 Weihe) were photographed, but for some reason there simply are no photographs of Torbeaus in Turkish markings. (The Imperial War Museum collection contains a photograph of a RAF Beaufighter that was quickly painted over with Turkish markings after it landed in Turkey during WW II. It never flew in Turkish service, and is not a TF Mk.X)

I built the excellent Tamiya kit and chose to paint the model in late war RAF Coastal Command colors, based on an old profile in Insignia magazine.

Ahmet Cagri Acikgoz

      

Photos and text © by Ahmet Cagri Acikgoz