1:72 Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I – the British turret fighter, 1:72, Airfix

This injection-molded plastic kit in 1:72 scale from the manufacturer Airfix depicts the British two-seat Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I fighter with its characteristic rotating gun turret behind the pilot's cockpit. The package contains plastic parts, clear parts for the glazing of the cockpit and the turret and decals for several marking options. The exact number of parts is given in the instructions in the package.

The real subject

The Defiant was the only turret fighter introduced in the RAF. It brought an unconventional tactical concept: a two-seat machine with no fixed forward-firing weapons, on which all the armament – four .303 caliber machine guns – was concentrated in a rotating turret worked by the second crew member. At first it surprised the enemy, but once the concept was seen through it suffered heavy losses as a day fighter, while it proved itself as a night fighter during the Blitz, when it shot down a number of enemy aircraft.

Building and painting tips

Finish and paint the cockpit, the turret and the interior before closing the fuselage; the turret can be glued so that it stays on view. Use liquid modeling cement on the plastic and glue the clear parts with a cement for canopies. Apply a primer before airbrushing. British schemes (the day finish and the dark night one alike) show to advantage with the panel lines picked out with a wash and discreet weathering of the exhaust streaks.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of British fighters of the Second World War
• Anyone interested in the unusual concept of the turret fighter
• Modelers interested in the Battle of Britain and the night fighters of the Blitz
• Builders in the practical 1:72 scale

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.