Roland Pulfrew Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 Well I see we are off and quite a few builds are already in progress so here goes: The kit: I've chosen one of the Lancasters in my stash (I wonder if I will, one day, complete any of the others), in this case Airfix's 1/72 Lancaster from the BBMF gift set (also might give me an excuse to do the 2 Spitfires as well ). The aircraft: as mentioned in the GB Chat I plan to do Lancaster RF181 PH-G of 12 Squadron based at RAF Wickenby. The history: RF181 was, according to my references, one of a batch of Lancasters built by Armstrong Whitworth and was delivered to 12 Sqn at RAF Wickenby and was one of 12 Lancasters to carry the markings PH-G with 12 Sqn. At 17:16 on 16 Mar 45, PH-G lifted off from Wickenby on a mission to Nurnburg and was one of 24 Lancasters shot down that night. The pilot, Fg Off D Dickey, was one of two of the crew to survive after the aircraft exploded; both he and the bomb aimer F/S Henry were captured and became prisoners of war. After the war Fg Off Dickey went on to be an English master at a school in Bedford where he taught an impressionable Pulfrew (Jnr). If anyone has any photos of RF181 (highly unlikely I'm guessing) or of any PH marked Lancasters of 12 Sqn from the 44/45 era, that would really help with trying to make my build look authentic. I know 12 used some non-standard markings earlier in the war but I think this was over by the end of the war. Thanks in advance. The obligatory parts photos: Oo'er there are lots of bits!! Now all I need is some time to start building; I'm off on holiday for a week first!! 1
Roland Pulfrew Posted September 12, 2014 Author Posted September 12, 2014 So whilst the car is in being serviced and I have a day off I thought I would start on some preparation. Today has been mostly spraying stuff black. Lots of black! I've used 1 whole jar of XF1 already and I haven't even started on the large black bits!! Also remembered to turn the page on my calendar in the "Cave" - seemed somehow appropriate; maybe a good omen?! But that's it for a while, I'm off for a few days away from home ; back soon. 1
Roland Pulfrew Posted September 25, 2014 Author Posted September 25, 2014 OK, back from a relaxing break in the sun so time to crack on. Little progress so far, but I have made a start on the bomb bay. And this arrived in the post today
Chris Jephcott Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 Good start Roland - I like the look of the Eduard PE set. I might have to invest in a couple for my Lancs.
Roland Pulfrew Posted September 29, 2014 Author Posted September 29, 2014 I like the way the Eduard photo-etched parts go together (although I really do need to speed things up)!! 2
Fritag Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Wow - those eduard panels really are good beyond the abilities of mere mortal modellers to do at home...... Looking forward t watching this........ 1
Roland Pulfrew Posted October 21, 2014 Author Posted October 21, 2014 And slowly coming together, getting ready for a bit of weathering 4
FZ6 Posted October 24, 2014 Posted October 24, 2014 The etched set really finishes of that lovely cockpit nicely doesn't it? I'm glad I purchased this set for mine now.
Roland Pulfrew Posted November 6, 2014 Author Posted November 6, 2014 Finally I've managed to crack on a bit with my Lanc. Have to say I've been a little disappointed with the fit of the fuselage. Probably my fault for not dry fitting the fuselage halves first but it has been frustrating to get a good join. That and, as has already been mentioned in one of the other topics, the danger of snapping the ends from the ''main spars". Still it is coming together..........slowly!! 2
bigbadbadge Posted November 7, 2014 Posted November 7, 2014 Looking good fella. Keep up the good work All the best Chris
Roland Pulfrew Posted November 10, 2014 Author Posted November 10, 2014 Wings now going on and fuselage seams with a second coat of filler. Have to say I am very impressed with the join between wing and fuselage which will not require any filler, but getting the wing leading edges to come together has been a challenge! I recommend plenty of dry fitting, patience and sandpaper! Sadly I've run out of one of the three!!
Roland Pulfrew Posted November 18, 2014 Author Posted November 18, 2014 Engines and tail plane now fitted. I think that this Airfix kit is one of the better Lancs I have built. Detailing is very well done and the fit of parts is refreshingly slick. There is a little bit of cleaning up on the seams on some of the parts, but most just require a quick rub with some sandpaper. 1
tonyot Posted November 18, 2014 Posted November 18, 2014 Its coming along well,...keep up the good work. When I built mine I had a lot of trouble with the seam along the top of the fuselage as it kept opening up so be careful and I hope it doesn`t happen to you. I`m looking forward to seeing this one done,....are you doing the full set of codes behind the roundel in the 12 Sqn style? Xtradecal have released a 12 Sqn sheet which includes a Lanc but it probably isn`t the one that you are building. It also has a couple of Wimpeys, a Bucc and a Tornado. Cheers Tony
Roland Pulfrew Posted November 19, 2014 Author Posted November 19, 2014 Looking back through this thread I realise I have been very remiss in responding to the comments from others; for this I apologise! So to Chris J and FZ6: yes the Eduard cockpit bits are well worth the investment. They add a nice touch of accuracy, colour and detail which really add to the cockpit. To Fritag: thank you and yes they do make modelling easy for us mere mortals (or who do not have the time and patience to match the skills displayed on your Chippie and JPs)! To BBB: thanks. To Tony: thanks as well and the top seam seems to be holding up so far; I did split the lower rear fuselage seam though! To answer your question, I was aware of the non-standard placement of the aircraft markings on 12 Sqn Lancs but believe that this had stopped by the time this particular Lanc entered service at the back end of the war. 1
tonyot Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 No worries as long as you were aware that is OK,.....but are correct in saying that the unit reverted to a standard code arrangement later in the war,..so I`ll wind my neck in! Cheers Tony
Roland Pulfrew Posted December 9, 2014 Author Posted December 9, 2014 OK, so I have a day off work with a bit of man flu so I thought I might try and get some work done on my Lanc between sleeps on the sofa! First coat is on so I'm now a bit stuck till that cures; maybe time to break out the canopy masks 😞 2
bigbadbadge Posted December 9, 2014 Posted December 9, 2014 Looking good fella, keep up the good work All the best Chris
Roland Pulfrew Posted December 15, 2014 Author Posted December 15, 2014 Next step with the Lanc covered in sticky tack and masking fluid ready for the green 1
Roland Pulfrew Posted December 15, 2014 Author Posted December 15, 2014 And now with the sticky tack and masking fluid removed 4
Roland Pulfrew Posted December 15, 2014 Author Posted December 15, 2014 And whilst waiting for the paint to dry I thought I would have a go with the canopy masks. I know these are a bit of a cop out but the speed that I managed to mask up the whole canopy (rather than using tape) was well worth the cost. These ones are by Montex and went on really well. Nicely grippy but with enough movement to allow repositioning 1
Fritag Posted December 16, 2014 Posted December 16, 2014 Nice work on the painting Roland. I for one see no cop out on those canopy masks. I reckon masking that canopy with strips of tamiya tape is the sort of chore that I'd just never get around to starting.......... 1
Roland Pulfrew Posted January 3, 2015 Author Posted January 3, 2015 As the deadline rapidly approaches I've tried to crack on. Decals applied to top and bottom surfaces which should now allow a little weathering to be done before final assembly! 1
AdrianMF Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 This is flying along! Looking forward to seeing the finished article tomorrow! Regards, Adrian
Roland Pulfrew Posted January 4, 2015 Author Posted January 4, 2015 Decalling pretty much complete. Bomb bay done. Gear and flaps on. Still quite a way to go and I think I may have upset SWMBO by focussing on my Lanc rather than the last day of Christmas leave Still here is the latest update:
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