Bristol Bullet (aka Kitbasher's bid for SMW 2013 glory)

[kitbasher]

The Bristol Bullet was selected by the RAF as the successor to the Bristol Bulldog biplane fighter, entering service in 1935. The name 'Bullet' echoed that of the Bristol M.1C monoplane fighter used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War One. Powered by a Bristol Mercury engine, the Bullet was RAF's first monoplane fighter, first all-metal fighter and the first with an enclosed cockpit.
Although a radical departure from the RAF's biplane fighters, the Bullet was soon eclipsed by the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, being passed on to freshly formed units as their first equipment to allow then to gain training before receiving more modern fighters. Bullets were also shipped to the Middle East, equipping three RAF squadrons until late 1940.

I have always fancied the idea of building the old Revel Peashooter and I took advantage of the Modelzone clearance to treat myself to one.  Not OOB, of course.  I always saw it as an opportunity to Anglicize the P-26 with a Mercury.  I was convinced from the start of the Bristol parentage simply by coming to the conclusion that the fin and rudder were similar to the Bristol Bulldog's.  Thus was born the Bullet.  Taken a couple of steps further (naturally - nothing like a bit of modelling 'mission creep' and we've all been there) through the addition of acanopy ad replacement tailplaanes to make the back end look lot less Boeing than it otherwise have looked).

Model: Revell Boeing P-26 with Matchbox Gladiator engine, propeller, guns, canopy cockpit fairing and squadron markings.  All other markings: Airfix Gladiator.  Tailplane: Airfix Supermarine S.6b

[crudebuteffective]

very nice   

[PR19_Kit]

You'd have a job figuring out that it started off as a Peashooter, it looks so VERY Bristol. Nice one. 

[TallEng]

That's nice 
Although the spats don't do it many favors do they?
They look like those baggy trousers from the 30's and 40's
Regards
Keith

[Captain Canada]

Holy wow that is gorgeous ! I love the look, especially the side shot. Looks perfect. Great idea and very believeable !

[deathjester]

Really nice - well done!!

It looks like it was meant to be 

[Father Ennis]

Way Kool !!!  I love it !!!   

[The Wooksta!]

Nice.  It doesn't look too far from the real Bristol 133 either.  Did I give you a set of drawings for that one?

[NARSES2]

It does look right, doesn't it 

[63cpe]

Well that just great work! looks absolutly believable. I could help staring at those spats.....
Simply magnificent!

I thought the engine nacelle was from an PZL Karas or Los... looks similar but whithout "the bulbs".

Thanks for sharing.
63CPE

[lancer]

That is anazing...

[CSMO]

Well done, sir! Beware the Hun in the sun. Squadron Leader Whiffer to the rescue. Adios, Larry.

[kitbasher]

Nice.  It doesn't look too far from the real Bristol 133 either.  Did I give you a set of drawings for that one?

Thanks Lee, and no you didn't.  I've drawings in Shacklady & Morgan's Spitfire tome though and totally did not recall the 133.

But I compared it to the Mitsubishi A5M, Ki-18 and Ki-33 (and the P-26, natch!)

[Mike Wren]

lovely little model