When ICM started to release its family of B-26 models and variants, it was well received by modelers the world over as the old Monogram’s kit was released in 1978, 47 years ago. And at some point, they were going to release Flak Bait and they did and I jumped on the opportunity to review it. A little background on Flak Bait- it was given the name by its first pilot, James Farrell who adapted the nick name from his dog, flea bait. It then ran 202 bombing missions over France, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium and survived the war intact and holds the record for number of bombing missions survived. And not one crew member was killed during that time and only one was injured even though it landed on one engine twice, lost its electrical and hydraulic systems twice and ended up with over 1000 holes that needed patched. Currently, Flak Bait is in the hands of the Smithsonian and being restored.

Being half English, I have an affinity for English aircraft. I have loved the Bristol Beaufort ever since reading Torpedo Bomber by Ralph Barker many decades ago.

The Beaufort was developed from the Blenheim bomber to meet a tendered specification for a land-based, twin-engine torpedo bomber. Later on the wings and tail of the Beaufort were used to develop the Beaufighter. Decent mileage, in my opinion.

The Beaufort saw stellar service operating from the Home Islands, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Far East.

Airframe Detail No.10 follows the standard format Valiant Wings uses for this series, starting with a brief history which covers the areas of operations, the different countries who flew it, survivors and serial numbers.