scotmid

White Ensign Models do a PE set for the Mirage/Airfix kit. You can also get weapons and a number of other 1/400 3D printed parts from Black Cat Models in France.

Thanks alt 92 . I addition to trying to work out what mods if any I need to make to the main undercarriage structure I have also been enjoying myself trying to distinguish between the camouflage schemes of the B1 Specials. Yours Alasdair

Many thanks for everybody's kind assistance. I am grateful. I will do a quick check of my references tonight and check out on the radio aerial issue. I imagine I was simply wrong, thanks to Don's information on whip aerials. I could only find direct reference to the Lincoln wheels/tyres being used but the use of the undercarriage as a unit would seem logical. I think the MAP book on the Lancaster shows the Lincoln undercarriage, then a case of trying to check out a photo.

I am looking at modelling one of these aircraft. The references I have cover the weight reduction process, including the removal of the armour from the pilots seat, a wicker chair for the navigator the deletion of the dorsal turret and the crew being cut to 5 . In addition there is mention of the undercarriage requiring strengthening. Did this involve noticeable changes to the standard undercarriage? I have seen mention of Lincoln wheels being fitted. I gather from the PD130 site that the radios were removed. I appreciate they will not be visible but I assume VHF radio would have been used with an aerial on the starboard nose. Does this sound right? Regards Alasdair

I had understood that the company that produced the RR turret had production difficulties. Is anyone able to confirm this is correct? How did the FN82 turret and the BPE turret both with the same armament as the RR turret compare? They seem to have been produced on a larger scale .

I hope the moderator does not object to a further point on the issue of service hearing loss. Claims for hearing loss caused by service before April 2005 can be submitted under the war pensions scheme run by Veterans UK for MOD. If you go to rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/benefits/war-pensions-scheme it gives you information on how to apply. Although it is called the war pensions scheme it is not limited to wartime service. There is now another scheme in operation but this covers the earlier period people are talking about here. Go through the official system if you consider making a claim. I can't comment on the likelihood of success. Alasdair

Bullbasket, Hope your hearing damage was picked up in your medial when you left the Service.

My understanding was Glowworm's captain did indeed understand the German destroyers were trying to lead him towards a heavy German warship. When he was engaged by the Admiral Hipper he made smoke but the cruiser had recently been equipped with radar and so maintained contact. He then carried out a torpedo attack on the Hipper that was nearly successful. I believe Capt Heye, the captain of Hipper informed the British authorities of Lt Cdr Roopes courage . No doubt one of the sites experts will be able to give much more detail. Regards Alasdair

Having got the Starling Alynbank for Christmas I have been running quickly through the readily available references. Photos of her, and the other Bank line conversions, seem limited. Having dipped my toe in the impressive Sovereign Hobbies Paints website are any of the experts here able to say if in the course of the conversion her deck planking would have been likely untouched, darkened, or one of the anti slip compounds used on RN warships applied? Grateful for any thoughts. I appreciate a merchant ship conversion is subject to the need to get her to sea with the minimum necessary work and this might well mean the decking was left as was. Yours aye, Alasdair

As always I think it depends on how much you want/are able to spend. I appreciate I am in practical terms a novice modeller having been away from the hobby for more than 40 years but the Mini Art British tank crew although plastic seem respectable enough based on my abilities. Resin figures made and painted by an expert modeller can certainly be tremendous.

American football ball is the same shape as in Rugby football

I don't know about metal casting but I'm just trying using blue stuff to cast small green stuff or epoxy putty castings. I am a newbie to the process but could you reinforce your casting with fine section metal rod? Cheers Alasdair

EwenS Thanks for the information Scotmid

Dear Das Abteilung, Many thanks for your very helpful answer. I have now ordered the No 19 radio in light of your comment. Looking at one or two pictures it looks like the aerial mounts were above the drivers position. Regards Scotmid

Were British M7 Priests 105mm howitzers fitted with the usual American telescopic sight or was this replaced by a standard British sight? As an occasional AFV modeller I was wondering if someone more knowledgeable could help out?