Halifax GRII Series 1A

[Graham T]

Building the Revell kit as this version but having issues with the instructions & the optional parts/steps. Step 15 suggests that the holes in the lower wing for the fuel dump pipes (3/side) are OPTIONAL as are the three holes in the upper wing for parts 155 & 156 that are attached at step 98/99 - I have NO idea what these are! As per the title it's a GRII Series 1A. Did this version have the pipes? Did it have the other parts I cannot identify? What are they anyway?

[Graham Boak]

The fuel jettison pipes had been removed before the GR Mk.II Ser.1a. I believe that parts 155-156 were part of the fuel system, but had been cleared away as part of the drag reduction programme. At least, I can't see them on the photos of the CC aircraft I've looked at, whereas they are visible on equivalent views of earlier aircraft. A quick look at my instruction sheet shows that I crossed them out. (Like many of the other non-optional parts! If you are not already aware, there is a lot of work that can be done to this model to improve it, particularly outboard of the wing roots.)

[Graham T]

Thanks Graham, I was leaning towards omitting them as, like you, I couldn't find any photos of GRII with them. Re improvements, I bought the AMLA set for this kit which offers replacement galley radiators & cowlings along with three blade props. However it appears they are not suitable for the GRII. Will keep for a future BII project!

[Graham Boak]

There were GR Mk.IIs with the Gallay radiators: this was the standard of the early deliveries to 58 Sq in May 1943, that were still seen in use in mid-1944. Examples include the well-known HR744/O1 and one possibly identified as JD178/V. Both have 3-blade propellers and saxophone exhausts. See photos in Merrick's "HP Halifax. From Hell to Victory and Beyond."

I don't know what else comes with this conversion, but replacement wheels help and there are a lot of possible sources for a better 0.5 mg for the nose

[Junchan]

The parts 155 and 156 are the fuel tank vents (breathers) for releasing pressure due to vaporizing of fuel inside the tank.

Jun in Tokyo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/

[tonyot]

Hiya Graham,

If it helps, here is my Coastal Command Halifax model with Gallay radiators;

and the thread is here;

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234937251-revell-halifax-mkii-freightdog-update-set-coastal-command-scheme/?hl=halifax

The real aircraft appears in a photo inside the Sqn/Sig Halifax book which is quite good.

Good luck with your model,

Cheers

Tony

Edited June 22, 2016 by tonyot

[Graham T]

Hiya Graham,

If it helps, here is my Coastal Command Halifax model with Gallay radiators;

and the thread is here;

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234937251-revell-halifax-mkii-freightdog-update-set-coastal-command-scheme/?hl=halifax

The real aircraft appears in a photo inside the Sqn/Sig Halifax book which is quite good.

Good luck with your model,

Cheers

Tony

Beauty!

I'm building JP165/g which is one of the kit options & a photo in Merrick's book on the Halifax shows it with saxophone exhausts & the nose mounted .303 (according to the caption)gun, however the kit provides no gun, 0.303 or 0.5"! It doesn't seem to have the galley radiators. The photo caption states that the code letter was red whereas the decal provided in the kit is grey.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Graham T

[Graham Boak]

Photo found, but even Homer nods? The long barrel makes it look like a 0.5 Browning to me - the nose glazing shows the additional supports for this gun whereas the normal glazing is much clearer. It's also a very late serial - by this time the bigger gun would have been standard.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Graham Boak

[Junchan]

Here are three photos of the GR.II Series 1a of 58 Suqadron with a 0.5 Browning nose gun.

HR744/G

JD178

Serial unknown, with the Morris Block radiators and-4 blade props. Note ammunition belt.

Jun in Tokyo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/