Mancunian airman

Its going to be epic !! . . . .

Using the Lancaster wings, I cut out sections to get the 90ft span . . . the engines were totally scratched . .. I must have had a good time as I built three this way, one even being a 'What If' they had replaced the Vultures for two Merlins . .. One of the engines . .

Is that amount of chipping weathering the norm for a desert vehicle ? I'm just curious . . . . Excellent work and the chipping is really effective, the only way I can achieve chipping is with acrylic paints . . . I look forward to seeing the end result Ian

It on the home straight now. I am in the process of fixing the mud flaps and adding a small amount of PE which I'm not overly keen on . . . The hip hatch is waiting a suitable colour for the cover . . . Marking will be RAF when I get the chance to apply the decals . . .

Thats an excellent article concerning the build of two Retriever, well worth looking into . . . Thanks for sharing it . . . Ian

I have been home for a couple of days and got a little bit more done. I have secured the rear body as well as the cab . . . things such as the mirrors and headlights will be the last things going on but the next items will be the under body lockers and rear mudguards. It going to be an RAF version so I'm looking for a suitable camouflage scheme in keeping with the period for around May 1943 . . . Thanks for looking in Ian

I too have this kit, the early version, so will be following with interest. I really wanted the later version with the windscreen . . . . Nice to see that the chassis appears to have gone together relatively easy (?) I shall incorporated the mods noticed by your good self. I shall make mine an RAF Stores supply vehicle; they must have used then within a maintenance unit here in the UK ?? Good luck with the build rgds Ian

I understand that the Airfix kit of the farmhouse isnt accurate, did/have you modified it ?? Very interesting painting of the figures, you must have a steady hand and an eye for the detail, well done

The Watch office looks nice in the brick work and the photo of the tractor in the Bicester album wants saving . . .

Most of the flying was done at other airfields (kirton Lindsey and Hemswell) so pretty much the same in appearance as far as background buildings seen . . .

I remember an airshow at RAF Waddington where a certain Canberra was painted up as the prototype, was that VN799 ? Colour was Blue with a few marking on it . . .

How did you get on with this Martin ??

Just found this, how did the build turn out ? This is my scratch built effort . . .

My attempt at a wartime airfield technical site Plans for 4mm scale accurate buildings are available if you would like to send me your email via the Messages tab. . . Good luck with your project . . . Ian

Lots of building similar to Scampton (Expansion Period design) are to be seen at a number of airfields built during the Expansion Period so you should be able to gain access to several . . . I have recently visited the bomb storage area at Driffield . . .

I like the Lancaster name 'Creaking door' from Deightons book . . . .

Some small progress . . . Hope to be completing the cab pretty soon to marry up that and the rear body . . . see you soon

As previously mentioned, I am building an RAF version of this lorry and one of the differences is that there was a 'hip-ring' on the cab roof for RAF vehicles . . . . A small bit of square rod lifts the base flat off the cab roof . . . a ring of 20 thou around it will give the impression its through the roof . . . other bits done, the cab floor has been 'chipped', the load has been painted and the PE for the radiator has been put in place . . . I'm away again for a few day so until the next time . . . . Thanks for looking in Ian

It comes as a second option with the kit, other option is as per the box artwork showing the tilt frame . . .

Having been working away from home, I am back doing a little bit at a time . .. I do tend to work sub-assemblies and to paint here and there, how you guys build an entire model and spray it is beyond me, however, another view showing the interior of the rear body . . . Next thing is the entire cab . . . rgds Ian .. .- -.

Latest update probably for a few days Tonight I shall paint the tyres and look at sub-assembling the rear body before turning to the cab . . . Ian .. .- -.

An example of how close-knit the parts are and the thick sprue fret . . . I have been using a scalpel knife to cut away but its difficult to cut the 'tab' as many parts have raised detail. I understand about cutting parts of the sprue away before detaching the smaller parts but I dont it possible at the start of the build with there being so many parts within the fret. Still, I shall preserve and get there in the end, who doesnt like a challenge ? ( I have the Gecko Bedford MW in the stash aswell) Ian .. .- -.

A few hours later . . . I have to confess to breaking certain small parts as I tried to snip them off so they havent been added in their entirety (not that you can spot them) This being the first Gecko kit attempted I have to say that the sprue gates are quite heavy around the small and delicate parts such as the suspension dampers (Da15) & (C51 + 52) and securing brackets ( G10 +11 & Ka2). Cant imagine that many modellers would remove them without some damage ?? I shall start some painting this evening, particularly the engine, and think about assembling the rear body once I have figured out which option I shall run with .. .- -.

Gecko's recent kit following on from their 'Katy' ambulance . . . I intend to start slowly as its been a while since I did any modelling . . . Starting with the chassis as the norm and I also put the wheels together An issue that a few others have mentioned is that on the same fret (C) there are parts that are numbered the same but it can be obvious which are the parts required for C16 & C51 although the parts numbered Da13 are nothing like the drawing and as such haven't found them yet !! More to come rgds Ian

I have just come across this and I am intrigued by your determination to build three such iconic aircraft in one attempt . . . . I also note that you are going to build some vehicles and even a Watch office; all in the large scale. Converted the Tamiya Austin to a Hillman Bedford QL as a crew transport OIL bowser scratch built Engine trestles scratch built Ground crew Nissen scratch built Compressor trailer scratch built Also converted the AFV Matador 4x4 to the 6x6 refueller Completed and modified the IconicAir David Brown tractor along with scratch built the bomb trolleys The Watch Office that was at Scampton at the time of the Dams attack, (1959/34) was the pre-war design(see photo) whereas the Watch Office at Woodhall Spa (later home to 617) had a design of Watch office similar to the Bomber satellite type ; somebody has attempted the latter model of it at the 'Thorpe Camp' museum at Woodhall Spa. I have a 4mm plan of the 1959/34 which you could easily scale up to 32nd (9.5mm ). No internal detail although I have some photos of the central spiral staircase. Carry on the great work Ian