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Source: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/wellington-vc-and-royal-navy-phantom-unveiling

 

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Wellington VC

Published 11/05/2018

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We are extremely pleased to be bringing you this latest edition of Workbench and all the news, updates and exclusive announcements from the fascinating world of Airfix modelling. One of the most rewarding aspects of producing our regular Airfix blogs is the opportunity to bring our readers exclusive information announcing the production of new model toolings and to follow these projects right through until their impending release dates. We are pleased to confirm that this latest edition features the final update and therefore the imminent release of a new 1/72nd scale kit, which has proved to be exceptionally popular since it was first announced and also marks one of the most important British bombers in this RAF centenary year, the Vickers Wellington. You can look forward to the exclusive first reveal of the magnificent box artwork which will accompany the release of this beautiful new model, along with the incredible story behind the lead scheme option available with this fantastic kit.

If that were not reason enough to have you reading on, we also have an exclusive report from a recent high profile event in Northern Ireland and one aviation society’s determination not only to expand their impressive collection, but also to present their latest acquisition in a beautiful new authentic livery and commemorate one of Britain’s most striking combat aircraft. We have a report from the event, including the moment this fantastic aircraft was unveiled to a specially invited audience in the hangar at Maze Long Kesh, near Lisburn and how the beautiful new artwork has something of a link to the recently released 1/72nd scale Airfix Phantom kit. With so much exclusive content available in this latest edition, we had better not delay matters any longer and make a start straight away.

 

Bomber Commands only Wellington VC

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Test build model image featuring the impressive new Airfix Vickers Wellington kit, which will be a fine addition to our 1/72nd scale range

 

During the early months of the Second World War, the importance of the Vickers Wellington long range medium bomber to Britain’s war effort cannot be overstated. Tasked with carrying out early bombing raids against German targets in conjunction with around 300 strike aircraft in service with Bomber Command at that time, including Hampdens, Whitleys and Blenheims, the Wellington was Britain’s most effective means of striking back at Germany and helped to establish a concerted bombing campaign which would rage throughout the conflict. In the month in which we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the famous ‘Dambusters Raid’, it is significant to note that the Wellington was another product of the brilliant mind of ‘bouncing bomb’ inventor Barnes Wallis and utilised his geodetic construction method, which endowed the aircraft with great strength and impressive combat survivability. This inherent strength would be called upon in dramatic fashion on the night of 7th/8th July 1941, when a brave Wellington crew battled to save their burning bomber and resulted in one of the most extraordinary aviation related incidents of the Second World War.

Workbench readers will probably recall that the 68th edition of our blog included an interesting look at the history behind the second scheme option to be included in the impending release of our newly tooled 1/72nd scale Vickers Wellington 1C (A08019), the Brooklands Museum’s ‘Lady of the Loch’ N2980 ‘R for Robert’. Adding to this initial feature, we are now pleased to bring you full details of the lead scheme to be included with the kit , a scheme which is equally appealing as the one already covered and will probably ensure that most of us will be building at least two examples of this magnificent new model.

 

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The geodetic construction of the Wellington can clearly be seen on this picture of the RAF Museum ‘Wimpy’ undergoing renovation at Cosford

When the Vickers Wellington entered RAF service in October 1938, it was undoubtedly one of the most advanced medium bombers in the world, possessing heavy defensive armament and capable of carrying a significant bomb load over a relatively long distance. One of its most distinctive design features was its adoption of the geodetic construction method developed and designed by British engineer and inventor Barnes Wallis, used previously on the R100 airship and Vickers Wellesley light bomber. The design employed a Duralumin W-beam lattice framework, onto which wooden battens could be screwed, which in turn allowed a doped fabric outer skin to envelope the entire aircraft. Whilst this method of construction was considered relatively complex and posed challenges for manufacturing companies engaged in Wellington production, the resultant aircraft was relatively light, yet possessed great inherent strength, attributes which would prove crucial once the aircraft was thrust into combat. Capable of withstanding significant battle damage, many Wellingtons were able to bring their crews home from operations where other bombers would have failed to do so, quickly earning the respect of the brave men flying them in combat. This Geodetic method of construction was to prove significant to the crew of Wellington Mk.IC L7818 (AA-R) on the night of 7th/8th July 1941, as they were forced to endure a frantic battle to save their aircraft following the night’s bombing raid.

 

A new ‘Wimpy’ arrives

 

Aware that they were scheduled to take part in the coming nights operation, a young Wellington bomber crew made up of men from Canada, New Zealand, Wales and England waited patiently at RAF Feltwell for their new Vickers Wellington to arrive, knowing they would have little time to familiarise themselves with the aircraft, before taking it to war. When they eventually took off from their home base, along with nine other 75 Squadron Wellingtons just after 11pm on 7th July 1941, they had only managed a fifteen minute test flight in L7818 during the afternoon, an aircraft which was now taking part in its first operational mission. With the Squadron’s aircraft taking their place in an attacking force of 41 Wellingtons sent to bomb targets around the German city of Munster, every man involved would have been hoping to arrive back at their home bases following the successful completion of a particularly uneventful mission and having avoided the attentions of Luftwaffe air and ground units.

The crew of Wellington L7818 arrived over the target area with the city already ablaze and with little in the way of defensive flak to contend with, they had no difficulty releasing their bombs over their primary target – in fact, they could hardly believe how little opposition they had encountered during the entire mission, as the mighty bomber turned for home. As the pilot Sqn Ldr Widdowson took a course over the Zuider Zee in Holland, his second in command Sgt James Allen Ward, who he had flown with on five previous missions, was positioned in the astrodome on top of the fuselage, keeping a watch for enemy aircraft. With the bombs dropped and the mission proving relatively uneventful, the crew must have started thinking about the breakfast waiting for them on their return to Feltwell and some well-earned rest following another successful mission. Suddenly, Sgt Ward noticed a shape silhouetted against the glinting sea in the distance, which he quickly recognised as a Messerschmitt Bf 110 nightfighter, which by now was positioning to make an attack run. With the intercom system inoperative and no guns with which to engage the enemy fighter, Ward watched helplessly as the Luftwaffe fighter passed underneath the bomber and unleashed a hail of cannon and machine gun fire, inflicting significant damage on the aircraft and injuring the tail gunner who, like the rest of the crew, was completely unaware of the predators presence. Startled by the sudden noise (and pain from his wound), the rear gunner scanned the night sky for signs of the attacker, to be met with the sight of a Bf 110 appearing from underneath his position and diving away following its onslaught – revealing its undersides as it made its escape, he quickly positioned his turret to enable him to bring the full fury of all four machine guns to bear against the enemy. He reported multiple strikes on the fighter, which he saw smoking and burning as it headed towards the ground.

 

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Full scheme details of Vickers Wellington Mk.IC L7818 AA-R in which Sergeant James Allen Ward performed his heroic action during the night of 7th/8th July 1941

 

The attack had left the bomber severely damaged, with no hydraulics or communications, the bomb doors involuntarily lowered and the undercarriage stuck half way deployed, both due to the loss of hydraulic pressure. More significantly, fuel lines to one of the engines had been ruptured and a fire had broken out on the starboard wing, centred around the engine but threatening to burn through the wing. Illuminating the aircraft in an otherwise dark night sky, Ward informed the pilot of the extent of the damage, who in turn instructed Ward to prepare the crew to abandon the aircraft – as a throw-away comment and illustrating the dark humour often present in people involved in potentially dangerous work, he also said, ‘and see what you can do about that damned fire!’ Once back in the mid fuselage of the bomber, Ward and two crewmates immediately cut a hole in the side of the bomber and used their extinguishers to attempt to put out the flames, however the slipstream simply dissipated the liquid before it could have any effect whatsoever. In desperation, they even threw their remaining coffee from their flasks at the inferno, but with similar ineffective results. Ward did notice that the fire appeared to be remaining fairly stable and was not spreading rapidly, therefore not placing any immediate danger to the structural integrity of the wing – again, he reported his findings to his pilot.

Widdowson had been flying a course parallel to the North Sea since the incident, in the hope of allowing his crew to bail out over land but on hearing this latest update, he immediately set a course for home, thinking that a cold night spent in a dingy in the North Sea was a better option than spending the rest of the war as guests of the Wehrmacht. Thinking that every extra mile he could nurse his aircraft away from enemy occupied Europe would give his crew a better chance of escaping this situation whilst avoiding capture, he could not have imagined the drama which was taking place just a few feet behind him. Fearing for the safely of his fellow crewmates and desperate to put out the fire which was threatening the aircraft, James Ward had an idea – he would climb out of the astrodome hatch and attempt to damp down the flames with a canvas cockpit cover. Astonished at the idea, his wide-eyed crewmates thought he had lost his mind, but were soon convinced by his insistence and determination to take action. Hoping to provide Ward with a modicum of protection during his perilous journey, they fitted a parachute on his chest and tied one end of the dingy rope around his waist, with the other anchored around the waist of one of his crewmates and removed the astrodome panel. Wriggling through the opening, Ward was immediately buffeted by the strong slipstream, which would surely rip him from the aircraft and into the dark night sky behind the Wellington. Unperturbed, Ward kicked through the fabric covering the geodetic structure of the aircraft, using the exposed metal framework as hand and foot holds, inching his way towards the burning wing. Trying to lie as flat as possible on the wing to avoid the effects of the slipstream, the chest mounted parachute made this impossible and he was almost ripped from the wing on several occasions, as the wind got underneath his body and flung him about in the air.

 

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Exclusive Workbench reveal of the dramatic artwork which will adorn the box of our impending new Vickers Wellington Mk.IC release, featuring the incredible actions of Sergeant James Allen Ward

 

Using all his strength to hold on, Ward stuffed the canvas sheet into a hole he found in the wing, which was spewing flames and appeared to be the most significant fire – in what must have seemed like hours but actually only took a couple of minutes, he fought to hold on to the aircraft with his left hand and work to dampen the fire with his right, whilst all the time being subjected to the unrelenting force of the slipstream. Exhausted, he was unable to keep hold of the canopy cover any longer and it disappeared into the dark abyss of the night sky, but incredibly, he had managed to stem the spread of the fire. Aided by his fellow airmen, he slowly crawled back along the wing using the holes he had already made in the aircraft and was eventually bundled back inside the astrodome hatch completely exhausted. Astonished at his achievement, the situation was relayed to the pilot, who actually stood up from his seat to look at the wing in total disbelief and even though the flames continued to appear throughout the remainder of the flight back to England, they quickly died down again as a result of Wards heroic actions.

As Wellington L7818 made its approach to RAF Newmarket at around 4.30am on 8th July 1941, the crew still had much work to do. With no hydraulic power available, the half deployed undercarriage had to be manually hand cranked down for landing and the pilot would not have the benefit of either flaps or brakes during this critical phase of flight. On touching down and having already used the entire length of the runway, the Wellington continued on to plough through a hedge and finally came to rest against a reinforced security fence, which surrounded the airfield. There are conflicting reports as to what the eventual fate of L7818 was, some stating that it never flew again, with this incredible flight being its one and only mission, whilst others report it was repaired and used in a training capacity, only to be destroyed in a tragic mid air collision with a Spitfire during poor weather in April the following year. One thing which we can say with absolute certainty, Vickers Wellington Mk.IC L7818 played a significant role in one of the most incredible stories of wartime airborne bravery and helps to illustrate both the unique construction of this famous bomber and the international contribution to Bomber Command’s operations during WWII.

For his unimaginable courage and selfless bravery, Sergeant James Allen Ward was awarded the Victoria Cross, becoming the first New Zealander to be so decorated and the only airman to be awarded the VC whilst flying a Vickers Wellington during WWII. A shy and unassuming man, it is reported that when he met Winston Churchill at his award ceremony, Churchill said to him, ‘You must feel very humble and awkward in my presence’, to which Ward quietly replied, ‘Yes Sir’. Churchill immediately went on to say, ‘Then you can imagine how humble and awkward I feel in yours’, which he must have genuinely felt on numerous occasions when meeting the many ordinary men and women who performed so many extraordinary deeds during the Second World War.

 

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Last year’s IPMS Telford show saw the debut of the new 1/72nd scale Vickers Wellington tooling

As modellers, we take inspiration from many things when deciding on the subject of our next build project, but hearing amazing aviation incidents such as the one described above can make that job much more straightforward. With the impending release of our new 1/72nd scale Vickers Wellington tooling, it is fitting that such a high profile release should include the option to finish our models in the markings of the aircraft which was involved in this incredible wartime story and further helps to increase awareness of the heroic actions of Sergeant James Allen Ward on the night of 7th/8th July 1941. Vickers Wellington Mk.IC A08019 is scheduled for a June release and this could be your final opportunity to reserve your example of this fabulous new model in advance of its arrival.

 

V.P.

Edited by Homebee
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FWIW, I really like the idea of a little 'dit' on the front cover explaining what is being portrayed; it emphasises how these aircraft were real  things with real  people in a real world  history.

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7 hours ago, Meatbox8 said:

After looking at all that I'm even more desperate to get my dirty mitts on this kit. 

Well, maybe not desperate, but it does incline me to buying one

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That does look nice, and I shall certainly be buying one, it will be interesting to compare it with the Trumpy kit I have in the stash.

 

I did notice something regarding the rear turret in the write up about Sgt Ward's aircraft, viz: 'he quickly positioned his turret to enable him to bring the full fury of all four machine guns to bear against the enemy'.  The Mk lc had two guns in the rear turret  :oops:

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15 hours ago, Dave Fleming said:

I think the new Airfix trend for that is inspired by the classic Matchbox boxes

It would be great if it was a trend, but I'd only noticed it before on their 1/48 Spitfire.  (Homage to Matchbox acknowledged, it was a real innovation, though bells are ringing with Frog's Trailblazers series).

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On 5/12/2018 at 6:11 PM, 593jones said:

That does look nice, and I shall certainly be buying one, it will be interesting to compare it with the Trumpy kit I have in the stash.

 

Unless the tool-makers made a howler as obvious and difficult to fix as the too-narrow wheels/undercarriage legs/wheel bays/nacelles in the Trumpeter kit, it's hard to see the Airfix coming out the loser! The Trumpeter kit has rather overdone fabric detail as well, I think. To be honest with a Wellington kit the fabric representation is the critical point...

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46 minutes ago, JamesP said:

Despite the wing being on fire it really doesn't look that dramatic. Looks like they could be having a BBQ

Upper lips were stiffer in those days.

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Aerocraft Models DWI Wellington conversion set released & Wellington High altitude Mk.VI conversion set in progress - https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/products

Sources:

https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/product/dwi-wellington-conversion-for-1-72-airfix-wellington-mk-1a-c

http://www.hyperscale.com/2018/reviews/accessories/aerocraftdwiwellingtonpreview_1.htm

 

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DWI Wellington Conversion for 1/72 Airfix Wellington Mk.IA/C

 

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This is a interesting conversion for the Wellington, with only 15 entering service they are quite a rare version of the aircraft. Basically these were used for mine sweeping and detonating sea mines, using a magnetic charge that was developed within the ring suspended below the fuselage. the electronic force to produce a magnetic field was produced by a engine installed within the fuselage. I have tried to create a good representation of all the external features, the ring is in quarters and is assembled with over lapping joints. the yoke at the front is one piece brass casting and brass rod is supplied to be cut to length to make the underwing and rear fuselage supports.

 

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A small plastic strip is supplied to make the sliding rails for the original hatch on the top fuselage.

Note Vokes filters are included as most if not all of these aircraft operated in the middle east at some point, however if you can find references check them or make up your own mind. Note all parts are shown in black or in brass on assembled model.

 

Retail price is £18.00 plus shipping

You can order these and see some more details at the website.www.aerocraftmodels.com

 

Wellington High Altitude Mk.VI 

Another Wellington conversion that is not quite ready as yet, but did attract a lot of interest at the show was a Wellington High altitude Mk.VI.

This will have the Merlin inline engines and the 4 bladed propeller, it should be noted that the cockpit 'bubble' for the pilot needs to be altered and will be done using a new 3D printed master, as can be seen the current part is 3D drawn and printed, other parts will be a mixture of CAD and hand developed.

I hope to have the Mk.VI available for sale early in 2019. Price not confirmed as yet.

 

V.P.

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New boxing -  ref. A08020 - Vickers Wellington Mk.VIII

Sources:

https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/vickers-wellington-mk-viii-1-72.html

https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/wimpy-u-boat-hunter

 

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Wimpy U-boat hunter

 

Welcome to this latest edition of Workbench and all the news, updates and exclusive announcements from the fascinating world of Airfix modelling. How do you follow the excitement of our centenary blog edition and all those details from the development of our magnificent 1/24th scale Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat? The only way we know how, with more Airfix exclusives and just a little more Hellcat action. In this 101st edition of Workbench, we begin by looking at the latest new kit announcement from our newly tooled 1/72nd scale Vickers Wellington, including an exclusive first look at the additional part frames to be included with this model and a closer look at the two scheme options featured in the kit. We return to the subject of our new Grumman Hellcat just prior to its release date, in order to feature the remaining three scheme and decal options included with the kit, details which were not covered in our previous edition, before ending with a modelling tribute to the magnificent North American Mustang, an aircraft type which continues to fascinate modellers, no matter which scale the kit is produced in. First though, let’s look at how one of Britain’s most famous wartime bombers was pressed into service as a U-Boat hunter, in a relatively unsung battle to protect Allied shipping from these unseen raiders.

 

New role for a British aviation classic

 

Although the Spitfires and Hurricanes of the Battle of Britain are usually regarded by most people as the most important British aircraft during the early months of the Second World War, there are other aircraft types which also qualify for inclusion in this group, with the Vickers Wellington being perhaps the most notable. Britain’s bomber force at the beginning of WWII only consisted of around 300 aircraft in total and was made up of both light and medium bomber squadrons. The most capable medium bomber in service at that time was the twin-engined Vickers Wellington, an aircraft which first flew 1936 and entered RAF service with No.99 Squadron at Mildenhall in October 1938. These early production aircraft bore little resemblance to the prototype machine, which was in truth, a rather unusual looking aeroplane and one which did not appear to display any future military usage, however, further development would give the Wellington a much more aggressive appearance. Compared to contemporary medium bombers already in service, the Wellington gave the impression of being a much more advanced bomber and an aircraft to be feared by any potential enemy. Its sleek monoplane design and heavy defensive armament placed the new Wellington as one of the most advanced and capable medium bombers in the world and it would go on to play a significant role in the conflict to come.

 

Perhaps the most significant feature of the Wellington’s design was the adoption of a geodetic construction method, which was developed by famous British engineer and inventor Barnes Wallis. Duralumin W-beams were used to form a metal lattice-work construction on to which wooden battens would be screwed, which would then allow the doped fabric outer skin of the aircraft to be attached. The resultant fuselage was relatively light in weight but possessed great strength and whilst this method of construction posed challenges for companies engaged in manufacturing Wellington bombers, the inherent strength of the design would prove crucial when the aircraft was thrust into the flames of conflict. Capable of withstanding significant battle damage, it has been reported that numerous RAF Wellingtons managed to bring their crews back home safely, despite having sustained heavy punishment, damage which would have resulted in the destruction of most other bomber types.

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Only a relatively small number of Coastal Command Wellingtons were modified to carry both the ASV Mk.II radar and Leigh Lights, however, they would force a change in tactics for German U-boats charging their batteries and made a significant contribution to the Allied war effort

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Involved in bombing strikes against enemy targets from the first day of the Second World War, the Wellington would go on to form the backbone of Bomber Command, taking the fight to Germany, even after the introduction of the first British four engined heavy bomber types. It would also be pressed into service around Britain’s coastline, with the Wellington’s size, endurance and adaptability making it the only suitable aircraft at that time to undertake these crucial missions. Initially employed in both laying and destroying anti-shipping mines, Wellingtons would go on to help fight one of the most crucial battles of the Second World War, the Battle of the Atlantic. The struggle to keep Britain’s sea lanes open was a battle the country had to win, as the alternative would have seen the nation starved into submission and the Germans further tightening their grip on Europe. Entering service in the April 1942, the Wellington GR Mk.VIII was a development of the RAF’s Mk.IC, specifically built for Coastal Command duties and equipped with new equipment designed to detect and destroy U-Boats. Distinctive by the addition of an array of fuselage mounted aerials, these Wellingtons were equipped with ASV Mk.II radar, an Air-to-surface (vessel) system carried to help the aircraft detect the presence of U-Boats, which would be attacked straight away. These long ocean patrols proved to be incredibly successful against the U-Boat menace, specifically as the submarines could no longer hunt with the relative impunity they initially enjoyed and were force to completely re-evaluate how they operated – in effect, the hunters had become the hunted.

 

Some of Coastal Command’s Wellington Mk. VIII aircraft were modified to carry a Leigh Light, which was designed to help with the night detection of surfaced U-Boats. An essential weapon in the battle against the U-Boats, the Leigh Light was a powerful 22 million candlepower carbon arc searchlight which was carried in a cradle, which could be lowered from the fuselage of the aircraft, behind the wing root. Used in conjunction with the radar unit, the crew of the aircraft would have already detected the U-boat, however, it would have been difficult to attack their target in the dark without the aid of this powerful light. Used from June 1942 onwards, the light allowed Coastal Command crews to attack German submarines which had surfaced to re-charge their batteries, with the cloak of darkness having previously made them safe from attack by enemy aircraft. With the presence of the U-Boat already detected, the light would only be switched on during the final moments of the Wellington’s attack, not giving the vessel enough time to take evasive action and giving them the best chance of success. This attack method proved to be so successful that U-boats were forced to carry out their battery re-charging during daylight hours, clearly making them much more vulnerable to enemy attack, but allowing their look-outs more time to react to the presence of aircraft. Crucially, the use of Leigh Light equipped Wellingtons brought about a significant reduction in shipping losses due to U-boat operations, falling from 600,000 tons per month to 200,00 tons.

 

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These 3d CAD screenshots show the installation of some of the additional parts included with the forthcoming release of the Coastal Command Wellington GR Mk.VIII

 

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An exclusive first look at the new part frames which will allow the unusual GR Mk.VIII variant of the Vickers Wellington to be constructed

 

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The installation of Leigh Lights is a fascinating aspect of the air war during WWII and one which made a significant contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic. There was a wide variation in the type of installations used to attach these lights to Coastal Command aircraft, with most fitted in a fuselage lowered cradle, but others installed under the wings of aircraft and when used in conjunction with the increasingly effective airborne radar units, this rather innocuous looking device proved to be a decisive weapon in combatting the U-boat menace.

 

The latest release from our popular 1/72nd scale Vickers Wellington tooling is scheduled for September and will include additional part frames to allow the modeller to produce the GR Mk.VIII variant of the aircraft, which was employed in maritime operations both at home and overseas. The exclusive pictures of the frame components we have included above clearly show that two different versions of this mark of Wellington can be built and as both display some distinct differences, it could be a difficult choice in selecting which one to model. The lead scheme presents a Wellington equipped with the powerful Leigh Light, which proved so effective in disrupting U-Boat operations from the middle of 1942, whilst also representing a significant technological advancement in the capabilities of Coastal Command. Wellington HX379 has the full antenna array which was a feature of the ASV Mk.II radar equipment installation and has the front turret removed and glazed over. As most modellers tend to display their finished models on their undercarriage and the Leigh Light had to be retracted before a Wellington could land, this is how the design team decided to represent this particular aircraft. WN-A is also presented wearing a distinctive Coastal Command scheme.

 

The second build option is to produce a Wellington GR Mk.VIII wearing a typical RAF Desert Air Force scheme and whilst the aircraft still displays the full ASV Mk.II radar antenna array, it still retains its front turret. Both options are equally appealing and it will be something of a challenge choosing one over the other. Let’s take a closer look at both of these scheme options.

 

Vickers Wellington GR Mk.VIII, HX379 WN-A, No.172 Squadron, Royal Air Force Chivenor, Devon, England, October 1942.

 

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Full scheme details featuring a Leigh Light equipped Wellington GR Mk.VIII of No.172 Squadron, a beautiful new representation of this famous bomber and a little known feature of its wartime use

 

A Maritime version of the Wellington Mk.IC used so successfully by the Royal Air Force, the GR Mk.VIII was produced in three distinct variants, the most distinctive of which were the 58 aircraft equipped with both ASV Mk.II radar and a powerful Leigh Light, intended for use in night time operations against surfaced U-boats. The first RAF Squadron to be equipped with the Leigh Light Wellington was No.172 Squadron, formed at Chivenor on 4th April 1942, having initially been designated No.1417 (Leigh Light) Flight. On its first patrol, a Wellington from the squadron detected and attacked the Italian submarine Luigi Torelli – piloted by Squadron Leader Jeaffreson Greswell, his Wellington detected and illuminated the Italian vessel, which remained surfaced and even fired identification flares, assuming the aircraft was friendly. The Wellington made two attack runs on the submarine, dropping depth charges and badly damaging the vessel, forcing it to make for port in Spain, but also proving the effectiveness of the radar/Leigh Light detection system. The squadron’s first confirmed submarine kill occurred on 5th July 1942, when U-502 was destroyed in the Bay of Biscay, west of La Rochelle.

 

With the ability to either destroy or significantly disrupt enemy U-boat activity, the Leigh Light equipped Wellingtons of Coastal Command were in great demand and wherever U-boats posed a particular threat, the aircraft would be dispatched to deal with them. This would see the Wellingtons flying from various airfields, both in the UK and the Mediterranean, as the essential work of maintaining Britain’s sea lanes continued throughout the war. After serving with No.172 Squadron and helping to establish the operational credentials of these unusual anti-submarine aircraft, Wellington GR Mk.VIII HX379 transferred to No.179 Squadron, where it would fly similar operations from RAF Gibraltar. On the night of 2nd/3rd June 1943, it was one of four aircraft sent to patrol the approaches of the Mediterranean against enemy U-boat activity. After the aircraft had been patrolling for some time, the crew reported that one engine had failed and they were immediately returning to base. Little is known about what happened next, but the aircraft was later reported as having ditched in the sea, some 19 miles west of Gibraltar. In what must have been a particularly heavy ditching, some of the crew sustained significant injuries and with their life raft damaged in the incident, they were all left clinging to debris floating on the sea. Two men decided to try and swim to the Spanish coast to raise the alarm and were fortunate to be picked up by a fishing boat when they were on the point of exhaustion – tragically, nothing more was heard of the crew mates they were forced to leave behind.

 

Vickers Wellington GR Mk.VIII, HX485 ‘N’, No.38 Squadron, Royal Air Force Gambut, Libya, late 1942.

 

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Wearing a Desert Air Force night bomber scheme, this extremely unusual Wellington scheme retains the front turret, but includes the radar antenna which mark this as a shipping strike machine

 

Although the Wellington is more readily associated with Bomber Command operations against German targets in Europe, the aircraft also made a significant contribution to Allied maritime operations during WWII. RAF No.38 Squadron had a relatively uneventful start to the Second World War, mounting long patrols out into the North Sea, but avoiding the costly early raids into Germany and occupied Europe, however, all this would change when they were sent to Egypt in November 1940 and operations against German and Italian forces in the region. They would spend the next year attacking Axis bases in the Mediterranean, supporting Allied advances and disrupting the enemy’s ability to fight, with the Wellington serving as the main attack bomber of the Middle East night bomber force. At the beginning of 1942, the squadron received their new Wellington GR Mk.VIII radar equipped bombers and were re-trained to launch night attacks against Axis shipping in the Mediterranean, a role at which the aircraft excelled, making a significant contribution to Allied fortunes in the region. Radar equipped Wellingtons, which were colloquially referred to as ‘Snoopingtons’, would patrol the shipping lanes in search of Axis shipping convoys at night and once detected, they would report their position to torpedo equipped Wellingtons, or ‘Torpingtons’. With their attacks needing to be made at heights of only 70 feet above the waves in the dead of night, the torpedo equipped Wellington crews would need all the help they could get and their radar equipped counterparts would either shoot flares over the target, or if equipped with the powerful Light Lights, could provide a more stable illimitation of the target.

 

These dangerous operations were essential in reducing the enemy’s ability to re-supply and re-deploy their forces and played a significant role in reducing the effectiveness of Axis operations in the Mediterranean Theatre. Indeed, as enemy shipping losses continued to mount, it became more difficult for these maritime Wellingtons to find targets and their patrol areas were expanded for this reason, making their already dangerous missions even more hazardous. The scheme worn by Wellington GR Mk.VIII HX485 ‘N’ represents a machine in standard RAF Middle Eastern night bombing colours, even though it is equipped with the ASV Mk.II radar unit which proved so effective against Axis shipping targets, including surfaced U-boats. As was the case with the aircraft covered in the A scheme, this aircraft was also lost at sea, having developed engine problems during one of its long ocean patrols – diching into the sea west of Bengazi, not all the crew would survive the incident, a fate which tragically befell a great many Allied airmen engaged in protecting the sea lanes.

This submarine hunting Wellington will appeal to many modellers and would look great displayed next to a model finished in the Bomber Command scheme more readily associated with this classic British bomber

 

The latest kit release from our new Vickers Wellington tooling (A08020) presents the aircraft as it was employed in the vital struggle to protect Allied shipping and to detect and destroy the feared German U-boats, using specialist equipment and some distinctive fuselage additions. They not only represent a relatively unknown wartime use for this venerable old bomber, but will also provide the modeller with an appealing subject for their latest build project. The Wellington GR Mk.VIII A08020 is scheduled for a September release and we look forward to bringing you confirmation of what promises to be spectacular box artwork in a forthcoming edition of Workbench.

 

V.P.

Edited by Homebee
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On 11/20/2018 at 5:39 AM, Homebee said:

Wellington High Altitude Mk.VI 

Another Wellington conversion that is not quite ready as yet, but did attract a lot of interest at the show was a Wellington High altitude Mk.VI.

This will have the Merlin inline engines and the 4 bladed propeller, it should be noted that the cockpit 'bubble' for the pilot needs to be altered and will be done using a new 3D printed master, as can be seen the current part is 3D drawn and printed, other parts will be a mixture of CAD and hand developed.

I hope to have the Mk.VI available for sale early in 2019. Price not confirmed as yet.

Please note that the Mk VI (as MkV) had assymetic (shifted left) bubble canopy, not on the middle like shown here 04_fs.jpg

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Cheers

J-W

 

 

 

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  • 3 months later...

Source: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/sub-hunters-moths-and-classic-airfix-artwork

 

Quote

Sentinel of the sea lanes

 

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As one of the most important British aircraft of the Second World War and the most advanced bomber available to the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of hostilities, the Vickers Wellington has long been a favourite subject for modellers, with many Workbench readers probably having several attempts at an Airfix Wellington kit to their names over the years. Indeed, the original Airfix Wellington kit, which was released back in the late 1950s, must stand as one of the most popular aircraft kits in our history and included such features as moving turrets, guns and propellers, along with the option to finish your kit with open bomb bays, if desired. Because this kit was viewed with such affection, news announced in 2017 that the Airfix development team were working on a newly tooled version of the Wellington was met with great excitement within the modelling community, with people keen to see just how much additional detail the team could incorporate in the new kit.

 

The overwhelming affection in which the original Airfix Wellington is viewed may be due in no small part to the incredible artwork of Roy Cross – the box lid of this kit featured the dramatic scene of a Wellington B.III returning from its latest raid, flying just above the sea with one engine feathered and smoking and with a large section of its rudder shot away. It is being chased by a pair of Messerschmitt fighters which are clearly intent on making sure the bomber doesn’t get home, but are feeling the full force of the tail gunner’s quad browning machine-guns as they attempted to press home their attacks. With lots of fire, smoke and bullets splashing into the sea, is it any wonder that Mr Cross was probably responsible for inspiring millions of people to take up the modelling hobby across the world.

 

As we are speaking of classic Airfix artwork, this seems rather fitting opportunity to exclusively reveal to Workbench readers, the beautiful and dramatic new artwork which will grace the box of the second release from the new Wellington tooling, A08020 Vickers Wellington Mk.VIII. The image above marks the latest Adam Tooby digital masterpiece and features a rather specialised variant of the Wellington, one which was optimised for operations at sea and one which can now be built with the additional parts included with this soon to be released kit.

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Computer rendered 3D image featuring the new Wellington GR Mk.VIII, a scale representation of one the most interesting British aircraft of the Second World War

 

Entering service in the April 1942, the Wellington GR Mk.VIII was a development of the RAF’s Mk.IC bomber and was specifically intended for operations at sea. These advanced aircraft were equipped with new technology designed to help them detect U-Boats and Axis shipping, before either illuminating these targets for other aircraft to attack, or launching an immediate attack themselves. Featuring a distinctive array of fuselage mounted aerials, these Wellingtons were equipped with ASV Mk.II radar sets, an Air-to-surface (vessel) system designed to allow the accurate detection of vessels at sea, by day or night. Mounting long maritime patrols, these aircraft proved incredibly successful against the U-Boat menace and dictated that submarines could no longer hunt with the relative impunity they previously enjoyed and were force to completely re-evaluate how they operated – in effect, these feared hunters had become the hunted.

 

Some of Coastal Command’s Wellington GR Mk. VIII aircraft were modified to carry a Leigh Light, designed to help with the night detection of surfaced U-Boats. An essential weapon in the battle against the U-Boats, the Leigh Light was a powerful 22 million candlepower carbon arc searchlight which was carried in a cradle, which could be lowered from the fuselage of the aircraft, behind the wing root. Used in conjunction with the aircraft’s radar unit, the crew of the Wellington would have already detected the U-boat, however, pressing home an attack over the dark ocean at night would have been almost impossible without the ability to illuminate their target.

Used from June 1942 onwards, the light allowed Coastal Command crews to attack German submarines which had surfaced to re-charge their batteries, with the cloak of darkness no longer protecting them from detection. With the U-Boat’s position identified, the powerful Leigh Light would only be activated in the final moments of the Wellington’s attack run, careful not to give the enemy vessel time to take evasive action and increasing the aircraft’s probability of success. This attack method proved to be so successful that U-boats were forced to carry out their vital surfaced battery re-charging procedure during daylight hours, greatly increasing their potential vulnerability to enemy attack, but also allowing their look-outs more time to react to the presence of approaching aircraft. Crucially, the use of Leigh Light equipped Wellingtons brought about a significant reduction in shipping losses due to U-boat operations, falling from 600,000 tons per month to 200,00 tons.

 

Let’s take a closer look at the scheme option included with this new kit and immortalised by the magnificent box artwork featured above.

 

Vickers Wellington GR Mk.VIII, HX379 WN-A, No.172 Squadron, Royal Air Force Chivenor, Devon, England, October 1942.

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Full scheme details featuring a Leigh Light equipped Wellington GR Mk.VIII of No.172 Squadron, a beautiful new representation of this famous bomber and a little known feature of its wartime use

 

The second release from our newly tooled 1/72nd scale Vickers Wellington (A08020) is scheduled to arrive in good model shops in the next few weeks and will include additional component frames to allow the modeller to produce the GR Mk.VIII variant of the aircraft, which undertook maritime operations both in home waters and further afield. The new parts will allow one of two different versions of this mark of Wellington be constructed and as both variants have distinct differences, it could be quite a difficult choice in selecting which option to build.

 

The lead scheme presents a Wellington equipped with the powerful Leigh Light which proved so effective in disrupting U-Boat operations from the middle of 1942 and represented a significant technological advancement in the capabilities of Coastal Command aircraft. Vickers Wellington HX379 displays the full antenna array which was a feature of the ASV Mk.II radar equipment installation and has the front turret removed and glazed over. As most modellers tend to display their finished models on their undercarriage and the Leigh Light had to be retracted before a Wellington could land, this is how the design team decided to represent this particular aircraft.

A Maritime version of the Wellington Mk.IC used so successfully by the Royal Air Force, the GR Mk.VIII was produced in three distinct variants, the most distinctive of which were the 58 aircraft equipped with both ASV Mk.II radar and a powerful Leigh Light, intended for use in night time operations against surfaced U-boats. The first RAF Squadron to be equipped with the Leigh Light Wellington was No.172 Squadron, formed at Chivenor on 4th April 1942, having initially been designated No.1417 (Leigh Light) Flight.

 

On its first patrol, a Wellington from the squadron detected and attacked the Italian submarine Luigi Torelli – piloted by Squadron Leader Jeaffreson Greswell, his Wellington detected and illuminated the Italian vessel, which remained surfaced and even fired identification flares, assuming the aircraft was friendly. The Wellington made two attack runs on the submarine, dropping depth charges and badly damaging the vessel, forcing it to make for port in Spain, but also proving the effectiveness of the radar/Leigh Light detection system. The squadron’s first confirmed submarine kill occurred on 5th July 1942, when U-502 was destroyed in the Bay of Biscay, west of La Rochelle.

With the ability to either destroy or significantly disrupt enemy U-boat activity, the Leigh Light equipped Wellingtons of Coastal Command were in great demand and wherever U-boats posed a particular threat, the aircraft would be dispatched to deal with them. This would see the Wellingtons flying from various airfields, both in the UK and the Mediterranean, as the essential work of maintaining Britain’s sea lanes and preventing enemy re-supply by sea continued throughout the war. After serving with No.172 Squadron and helping to establish the operational credentials of these unusual anti-submarine aircraft, Wellington GR Mk.VIII HX379 transferred to No.179 Squadron, where it would fly similar operations from RAF Gibraltar.

 

On the night of 2nd/3rd June 1943, it was one of four aircraft sent to patrol the approaches of the Mediterranean against enemy U-boat activity. After the aircraft had been patrolling for some time, the crew reported that one engine had failed and they were immediately returning to base. Little is known about what happened next, but the aircraft was later reported as having ditched in the sea, some 19 miles west of Gibraltar. In what must have been a particularly heavy ditching, some of the crew sustained significant injuries and with their life raft damaged in the incident, they were all left clinging to debris floating on the sea. Two men decided to try and swim to the Spanish coast to raise the alarm and were fortunate to be picked up by a fishing boat when they were on the point of exhaustion – tragically, nothing more was heard of the crew mates they were forced to leave behind.

 

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This magnificent new kit will only serve to further enhance the appeal of the newly tooled Airfix Wellington and is destined to be a popular addition to many a build schedule during the dark winter nights. Although described on the Airfix website as being scheduled for release during the coming winter months, we expect A08020 to be available over the next few weeks, so please keep an eye out for this spectacular new kit.

 

V.P.

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  • 1 year later...

Most likely an accidental leak at Scale Model World in 2017, one of the Wellington Mk.Ia/c renders shows a Wellington Mk.II (Merlin nacelle and exhasut visible). It has not yet officially been anounced and I'm waiting for a response from Airfix.

 

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