Procopius Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 So the other day, @TheBaron, speaking in jest, mentioned this on the Lancaster: 22 hours ago, TheBaron said: You mean Screaming Face Mod.59367 ? Whatever it actually is, it appears to be a pair of googly eyes, and I was wondering what it really is, actually. Do any aftermarket firms make it, or are there detailed photos of it to allow one to fabricate it? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Hi these ? cheers jerry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrp Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Its called Code named Z. The eyes were pair of lenses that could pick up radar signals from the rear turret of another Lancaster. This was part of the "Village Inn"defensive system, also know as the AGLT- Automatic Gun Laying Turret. A number of Lancaster rear turrets were converted to this system. A small radar transmitter was positioned below the turret and pivoted around as the turret traversed. I am not sure how many squadrons were actually equipped with these turrets, but it does appear that lots of Lancasters were fitted with the lenses, even though, they may not have actually had any AGLT's in their squadron. They were certainly retrofitted at MU's in the course of upgrades and new radios being fitted, as you can see, when you look at the centarian Lancasters. The only set, I have seen in 1/72, is with the Flightpath etch set for the Airfix Lancaster. The set provides the two circles to apply to the bomb aimer's blister. I used Future to attach. I didn't bother with the internal cups, Depending on the Lancaster, you are building, it can also have the shallower, early nose blister, with code Z attached. mrp 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 1 minute ago, mrp said: Its called Code named Z. The eyes were pair of lenses that could pick up radar signals from the rear turret of another Lancaster. This was part of the "Village Inn"defensive system, also know as the AGLT- Automatic Gun Laying Turret. A number of Lancaster rear turrets were converted to this system. A small radar transmitter was positioned below the turret and pivoted around as the turret traversed. I am not sure how many squadrons were actually equipped with these turrets, but it does appear that lots of Lancasters were fitted with the lenses, even though, they may not have actually had any AGLT's in their squadron. They were certainly retrofitted at MU's in the course of upgrades and new radios being fitted, as you can see, when you look at the centarian Lancasters. The only set, I have seen in 1/72, is with the Flightpath etch set for the Airfix Lancaster. The set provides the two circles to apply to the bomb aimer's blister. I used Future to attach. I didn't bother with the internal cups, Depending on the Lancaster, you are building, it can also have the shallower, early nose blister, with code Z attached. mrp Thank you so much! I've heard a bit about Village Inn -- any further reading you particularly recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Also seen on 100 group's Fortresses as per the new Airfix kit, see Tony O'Toole's post linked here 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 8 minutes ago, Dave Swindell said: Also seen on 100 group's Fortresses as per the new Airfix kit, see Tony O'Toole's post linked here Whoa, neat! I'm reading A Thousand Shall Fall right now, so that's rather germane to my interests -- don't suppose the kit represents that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrp Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I think you may have some information in your library, given your recent Bomber Command purchases." Aircraft of 100 Group, a historical guide for the modeller" by Martin Streetly has some information on it. I think there maybe some more in "Confoundi and Destroy",, which I see you may have. There maybe also some in the Randall Wakeman book, about the science of Bomber Command, but I am not in front of my library at the moment, so I am going off memory. Certainly, I recommend the "Aircraft of the 100 Group", which is geared to modellers . Sorry to add to your wants/needs list ! mrp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 The two "Z" Equipment were Infra Red lamps that were designed to identify the aircraft as Friendly to the "Village Inn" equipped Lancasters. Bit of detail here: http://www.49squadron.co.uk/assets/pdf/village_inn.pdf 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, mrp said: I think you may have some information in your library, given your recent Bomber Command purchases." Aircraft of 100 Group, a historical guide for the modeller" by Martin Streetly has some information on it. I think there maybe some more in "Confoundi and Destroy",, which I see you may have. There maybe also some in the Randall Wakeman book, about the science of Bomber Command, but I am not in front of my library at the moment, so I am going off memory. Certainly, I recommend the "Aircraft of the 100 Group", which is geared to modellers . Sorry to add to your wants/needs list ! mrp Only one book, mercifully, as Wakeman's The Science of Bombing: Operational Research in RAF Bomber Command turned up "mysteriously" (to my wife) at our front door yesterday, and I do indeed have Confound and Destroy. So I just need Aircraft of 100 Group. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, Procopius said: Whoa, neat! I'm reading A Thousand Shall Fall right now, so that's rather germane to my interests -- don't suppose the kit represents that? No, and it's not in the Eduard set for the Fortress III nose either 10 minutes ago, mrp said: I think you may have some information in your library, given your recent Bomber Command purchases." Aircraft of 100 Group, a historical guide for the modeller" by Martin Streetly has some information on it. I think there maybe some more in "Confoundi and Destroy",, which I see you may have. There maybe also some in the Randall Wakeman book, about the science of Bomber Command, but I am not in front of my library at the moment, so I am going off memory. Certainly, I recommend the "Aircraft of the 100 Group", which is geared to modellers . Sorry to add to your wants/needs list ! mrp Shown in Aircraft of 100 Group p74 and id'd as infra red source. Haven't spotted a mention in confound and destroy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Even I'm tempted by a 100 Group Fortress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 30 minutes ago, Sgt.Squarehead said: Even I'm tempted by a 100 Group Fortress. As you should be. And re: the IR lights, a use for my tiny punch and die set finally presents itself. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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