History
The DAP (Department of Aircraft Production) Beaufighter was an Australian made version of the Bristol Beaufighter. They were flown by the Royal Australian Air Force against Japanese forces late in the Pacific War.
In 1942 the RAAF began using British built Beaufighters against Japanese forces in New Guinea.
They were so effective that the Australian government decided to build more for local use.
The resulting improved version was similar to the British Beaufighter TFX and first flew in May 1944.
A total of 364 were built and served with five RAAF Squadrons throughout New Guinea, the Celebes and the Phillipines.
After they war they were used mainly as target tugs and several remained in service with the RAAF until 1957.
This model represents A8-124 of No 93 Squadron, RAAF, at Labuan, North Borneo, in August 1945..
Data: two-seat strike fighter. Engines two Bristol Hercules radial engines of 1,200kW each. Wing span 17.65m. Length 12.60m. Maximum take-off weight 11,521kg. Maximum speed 515km/h. Range 2816km. Armament four 20mm cannon, four 0.5in and one .3in machine guns and eight rockets or two 112kg bombs. Crew 2.
Tamiya 1/48 kit completed by Wayne Eagles in 1989.