Creepy Pete Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Hi all. I am currently working on the Airfix new-ish Lancaster kit (dambuster version) and I am wondering what the little tabs on the leading edges of the lower wing parts are for. You can see them quite well in this review. You're not supposed to glue any other parts on them or anything, and they don't correspond with little notches in the top wing parts. I did some searching, and they seem to match those little things next to the nacelles on this Lancaster B.II, and also here. But I don't see them on many others. Anyone got an idea what they are for, and if I should keep them on or sand them off? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 I suspect they may be balloon cable cutters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Pictures http://www.bbrclub.org/Balloon Cable Cutting Device for Aircraft.htm https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/british-cable-cutter-ctg/22562/17 Discussion https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/lancaster-cable-cutters.9290/ http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/468779-lancaster-cable-cutters.html Addition to Revell Lancaster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Pete Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Great! Now I know what they are. Never knew they were used in such numbers and that they were so small. Thanks guys. Now I have to find out if the one that I'm building had them installed or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 It's unlikely your picture will be of sufficient resolution to see them but you may be lucky. They were fitted to Manchesters so likely on all early Lancasters. Chastise dams raid was low level so very unlikely they were not equipped with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprue Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Dambuster Lancasters were fitted with cable cutters almost at the last minute. See the photograph here https://goo.gl/images/fouBQh Just before the raid photo reconnaissance revealed balloons had been sited in and near the target areas. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Pete Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I built that one recently and didn't even notice them. Just had a look and still can't see them but I see that old G George needs dusting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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