Jump to content

Lancaster PA474 Mickey the Moocher BBMF


Recommended Posts

Hi

I plan to complete two Lancs for this GB to complete my BBMF collection as seen here. The first will be a "from the box" build of the Airfix kit of PA474 "Mickey the Moocher" as she appeared from 2000 until her major service with Air Atlantique in 2006-07. I know that she is not going to be accurate, but I like my builds to be quick and simple!

I plan to get started this afternoon.

Here is what inspired me...

BBMF79.jpg

BBMF69.jpg

and here is what I have to work with...

bbmfbox.jpg

lanccontents.jpg

Edited by Alpha Delta 210
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I have made a start by painting the interior parts on the sprues. There are fewer parts than I expected (mind you, that suits me, as I like a quickie!)

Here are some of my references, but I will also be using some of the hundreds, if not thousands of my own digital images!

lancbooks.jpg

Here are the clear parts, after a bath in Klear. The plastic tubs come courtesy of the Indian takeaway!

lancclearparts.jpg

And finally, the sprues.

lancsprues.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a great pic of Stu Reid driving and the F.E pulling up the undercart(not literally by himself of course :lol: )

BTW,474 used to have the legs and feet of a Shackleton and she still has the tailwheel of a Lincoln(there's a story to that)

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a great pic of Stu Reid driving and the F.E pulling up the undercart(not literally by himself of course :lol: )

BTW,474 used to have the legs and feet of a Shackleton and she still has the tailwheel of a Lincoln(there's a story to that)

Mark

Hi Mark. Glad you like the picture and thanks for the information.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A good start, is the Haynes manual any good? I know it isn't a manual but more a reference book but have never looked at one

Antony

Hi Antony

The Haynes books are full of very detailed colour photographs plus diagrams which make them perfect for modellers. I have them all! Amazon usually sell them at very appealing prices.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

I wasn't planning to use the supplied crew, but as there is not much internal detail I have changed my mind. I have painted the flying suits black and the helmets and gloves have been painted white. The wheels are constructed and as I don't have an airbrush, I have sprayed the large parts with Halfords Satin Black over Halfords Grey Plastic Primer.

I am a bit disappointed that there are no separate exhaust stacks, as Airfix supply them with the 1/72 fighters. I will make do with what I have, as this is to be a from the box build.

I hope to make some good progress today!

lancblack1.jpg

lancblack.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't made as much progress this afternoon as I would have hoped. I seemed to spend most of the afternoon on my hands and knees looking for a tiny piece of glazing! I found it in the end. I have fixed the very basic cockpit and fuselage glazing and stuck the wing halves together, which were a surprisingly good fit.

I am going to take a break to be sociable and then resume during "Dancing on Ice".

lancintandwings.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

I have sewn the old girl up, and she now looks like a U-boat...

lancfuselage.jpg

lancfuselage1.jpg

Despite my best efforts and countless dry-runs, I ended up with a slight step on top. I think it needs a bit more attention. Because I am impatient, I temporarily pushed the wings into their slots, and now she looks like a bat...

lancfuselage2.jpg

lancfuselage3.jpg

I plan to mask and paint the camouflage on the top of the fuselage before fixing the wings. Any views or advice on that idea?

Oh, and i managed to break off two of the machine guns from the tail turret.

Edited by Alpha Delta 210
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Oh, and i managed to break off two of the machine guns from the tail turret."

For that very reason I always plan my builds so that any fragile or "sticky-out bits" are added at the final stages. I'm not bothered about props rotating or turrets moving so these are glued in place towards the end of the build/painting process.

Max

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your comments, guys.

The first brush-painted camo coat is on. I tried to make the pattern accurate, but I know it is not quite right. The Airfix painting instructions are flawed in several areas, so I used my own pictures and books as my references. The canopy is just resting in place and awaits my first attempt of applying painted decal strip..

lancfirstcoat.jpg

Edited by Alpha Delta 210
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

Being an impatient soul, I wanted to see what she looked like with the wings and horizontal stabilisors in place, but not glued! The canopy is also unglued and awaiting my first attempt at painted decal strips - gulp!

I was pleased with my masking - only one area to touch up on the LHS just behind the nose turret, plus I seem to have missed the second coat of brown on the starboard wing - too much Pinot Grigio at lunchtime, perhaps?!

She's starting to look the part now!

lanccamo.jpg

lanccamo1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's coming along really well!

Antony

Thanks, Antony. They say that the camera never lies, but in this case, the pictures are HUGE porkies!! The Airfix kit is not bad for it's age, but I am struggling to make a decent Lancaster - to the extent that I had considered giving up on her and using one of my M&S Revell kits with the Airfix decals. However, I have now reached the point of no return and WILL finish her as "Mickey the Moocher"!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

I have attached the engines to the wings and despite my best efforts, I was left with a large gap on the top of each engine. I know that there is a panel line there, so I decided to fill the gaps with PVA to avoid sanding. The vertical stabilisers, the engine fronts and the bomb aimer's bubble are presently held in place with Blu Tack. I still need to attach the bomb bay doors (closed) and the gear doors.

lancengines.jpg

lancengines1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

Everything is now stuck on, but I need to touch up some of the paintwork. Despite my earlier misgivings, I am now quite pleased with the way she is turning out.

I still need to paint the decal strips for the cockpit glass and stick the tail guns back on.

I think that I will take a break and resume tomorrow.

lancprops.jpg

lancprops1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

I used Microscale Black Trim Film purchased from Hannants for the princely sum of £2.03 for the canopy framing. I had not used trimmed decal strip before, but I am converted. On this model the strips are too thick and should be painted green and brown, so please forgive me! I applied a little Klear to the piece if frame that I was tackling and then just moved the strip into place. I had been planning to use the Experts Choice Clear Decal Film from Hannants, but it was out of stock. I thought that the black Trim Film would be suitable as the internal framing on the real aircraft is black. I had no problem applying the Humbrol enamel, to the decal sheet which of course did not require sealing before immersing in water.

I still need to stick down the canopy.

I have applied two coats of Klear to the model and plan to apply the decals tomorrow.

lancklear1.jpg

lancklear.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...