woody37 Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Ron Middleton VC "His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force" The next build on the work bench is my most challenging yet...gulp. Kind of excited, kind of daunted, the only way to eat an elephant is bite at a time! I've bought this off Mike with the view to finishing it for Telford. Mike started it and did some great work way back when, the original thread is HERE What are the plans? Open the bomb bay up Re-profile the rear end as it should match the profile of the FN20 turret, currently it's too square. What am I dreading the most? Fitting all those windows. I might insert strips of acetate down the sides rather than trying to cut each one out individually. What parts do I already have? FN20 from the Tamiya Lanc Main wheels from the Lanc - I'll build these up with plasticard and miliput to get the right diameter Mid upper turret from the Paragon Manchester Resin engines What do I need? A miracle!!! Some replacement props Early (short) style carb intakes or copies if anyone has one I can borrow from a Beaufighter Someone who is good at forming clear parts Reference material possibly, need to see what I've got already from 12Jaguar who has been of great support on previous builds Some ideas on scratch building the monstrous undercarriage if possible rather than using the white metal parts Someone to release an injection moulded kit no later than April so I can chicken out and take the easy route Expectations Hmmm. I want it to look like a Stirling. Given limited skills, time at the bench and patience, there will be compromises, learnings and errors. If I can get the finished result to look like it came from an injection moulded kit, then I'll be happy. Next steps... Not sure!! Probably to cut the fuselage up and start to build the bomb bay floor. The fuselage needs more stiffness, so it makes sense to continue where Mike left off building the main internal structure to which the detail can then be built on. I'll leave cutting the top of the rear fuselage off until I can secure the forward section. I'm thinking of making internal formers of the correct shape then re-skinning around them to get the correct profile using the Tamiya FN20 turret as a guide. Photo's so far... Any help and prayers along the way most appreciated 21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancunian airman Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 I'm praying for you in a rather loud tone so that the God of Modelling will hear your cries . . . . Just want to say 'Good Luck' 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 It's gone to a great home, I can't wait to see it finished. Mike would of done an equally good job as you for sure, but given your interest in Bomber Command it makes sense. (I'd want you to finish it if it was mine and I had lost interest/time/space etc) Roll on SMW '18. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael51 Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Good luck. I shall watch this build with interest and I daresay, awe. Michael 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Im onboard I’ll just take a seat over at the bar. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJJunis Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Let the epic battle begin...good luck Woody. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12jaguar Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 hi Neil You certainly don't waste any time I heartily suggest that you take a trip down to our workshop to see how we're progressing. It will also give us an opportunity to chat over some of the pitfalls with doing her in a larger scale. I've literally just sent some photos to another modeller who is doing an Italeri one so have a lot f info to hand John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Wow that was quick, this should be great, from photos the Stirling looks most impressive, looking forward to seeing this progress and hopefully some big manufacturer will take the hint and bring a kit out ! Cheers Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Ohh, I 'm in here for that. That's a beast and I would like to see, how this turns out as a big vacu/mixed media one. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Cripes! Knowing your work this is sure to be epic Woody - the very best of luck in this endeavour! Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 You have my attention........ Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 56 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Im onboard I’ll just take a seat over at the bar. I wish I was joining you at the bar, there's a certain comfort from watching others tackle these types of builds 43 minutes ago, 12jaguar said: hi Neil You certainly don't waste any time I heartily suggest that you take a trip down to our workshop to see how we're progressing. It will also give us an opportunity to chat over some of the pitfalls with doing her in a larger scale. I've literally just sent some photos to another modeller who is doing an Italeri one so have a lot f info to hand John Hi John, That sounds like a plan, its been a while since we got over. We could talk about the pitfalls all day long on this one Fortunately I will be doing a Classic airframes 1/48 Blenheim along side to keep my sanity Cheers 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 “ there's a certain comfort from watching others tackle these types of builds “ Id love to tackle this as a build but there are a few reasons as to why I cannot. I don't have the abilities nor the desire to build a Vacuform kit, Im pretty sure I will never attempt one. Second I dont have the Finances to tackle a kit of this scope. Third I sadly would not have the space to either store/display something of this size. Yes in a way I guess its a type of comfort to watch others do what i cannot do. All for the varied reasons i have listed. So i choose to watch, and maybe learn from you. Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 This is going to the top of the watch list. Love big projects like this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Now THIS could be interesting! I'm in, I'll join Corsair at the bar, although I feel by the time this is done, I will be under it! Ian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: “ there's a certain comfort from watching others tackle these types of builds “ Id love to tackle this as a build but there are a few reasons as to why I cannot. I don't have the abilities nor the desire to build a Vacuform kit, Im pretty sure I will never attempt one. Second I dont have the Finances to tackle a kit of this scope. Third I sadly would not have the space to either store/display something of this size. Yes in a way I guess its a type of comfort to watch others do what i cannot do. All for the varied reasons i have listed. So i choose to watch, and maybe learn from you. Dennis Hi Dennis, ive only ever built...or attempted one vac form before and it went in the bin part way through, so I will be learning too. It’s certainly going to stretch me, ive been busy this evening figuring out a plan of attack. Cheers neil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Blimey, it's almost half-done Neil! just wack the wings and tail on and your good to go! Great to see this underway, should be a lot of fun. I've got one or two books knocking about if you need them, only thing is you'll have to come over again and pick them up, which in turn will mean a trip to NAM and visit to a local watering hole, etc, etc... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 if it helps Woody, Air Modeller recently published a five part series on a bloke scratch building one. In it he describes how he went about building undercart, turrets etc. Will be watching this with interest as your Lincoln and Manchester are excellent builds Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Following this one with great interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Do you have the original clear parts as I got John Wilkes ( the now owner of the ID kits) to copy a new set for my old ID B-17 when I had it. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 14 hours ago, general melchett said: Blimey, it's almost half-done Neil! just wack the wings and tail on and your good to go! Great to see this underway, should be a lot of fun. I've got one or two books knocking about if you need them, only thing is you'll have to come over again and pick them up, which in turn will mean a trip to NAM and visit to a local watering hole, etc, etc... Sounds like a plan matey! Iv3 got some good reference material but will need some more, particularly undercarriage and flap track. I need to get hold of some drawings, ideally 48 scale so will try o scale some up on the printer at work. 14 hours ago, pacificmustang said: if it helps Woody, Air Modeller recently published a five part series on a bloke scratch building one. In it he describes how he went about building undercart, turrets etc. Will be watching this with interest as your Lincoln and Manchester are excellent builds Bruce Good point, I have a few of them, I think Stringbags going to help me out of the gaps. That was an epic build that I won’t be comparing myself too 😅 1 hour ago, Graham said: Do you have the original clear parts as I got John Wilkes ( the now owner of the ID kits) to copy a new set for my old ID B-17 when I had it. Graham Hi Graham, the original parts are in the kit, yes, but the cockpit is too narrow so mike made a new former and a damn good job of it too. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 You have my attention and respect, this is going to be awesome and challenging. On a lesser challenge I've just acquired a 1/48 Beaufort vac that will be commencing soon! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 21 hours ago, bristol boy said: You have my attention and respect, this is going to be awesome and challenging. On a lesser challenge I've just acquired a 1/48 Beaufort vac that will be commencing soon! Looking forwards to watching that one, you know how to handle the vac forms I'm waiting for some plasticard to arrive so I can start to build the bomb bay structure Big thanks to Chris @stringbag for helping me out with the Air Modeller build, I'm part inspired, part depressed now as I realise how much of a compromise my build will be! I've started by correcting the rear end. I was going to cut the top part away, but decided to build it up using plasticard on the inside... Note the profile of the fuselage, it closely follows the turret profile: This is how the kit comes... I traced round the turret to create the right profile and made an insert that I could use as a guide to get the right shape: Here you can see the profile piece added to the left hand side half. The right hand side has been sanded to shape Plasticard was glued into the corner with Tamiya extra thin to build up the profile so that when sanded, there was something to sand through. Tamiya cement mixed with melted sprue was used to blend in the gaps near the turret opening and left to dry overnight This is how it looks with one side done so far...still plenty of cleaning up to be done but going in the right direction 15 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancunian airman Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Good start there . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Hello Woody, I'll follow on for sure, if you need my prayers, I'll be at the bar with my cousin and Limey pilot Sipping some beverage as a way to give you some support. I did had a Master for a 1/48 Stirling at hand years ago, but it was a more or less not too good copy of the Sanger one. So Pierre and me let it down and the owner of the kit will his master back too quickly for us havin' any corrections done... A missed opportunity for him and for us, but he was a very old man, I can understand it ! Soooo ! You have my vote, my prayers and my support, and my beer but at Telford 2019 wich seem a good reasonable delay !! Sincerely. CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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