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HP Hampden Bomber Instrument Panel


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Afternoon BMs

 

I was tasked early last year to build a Handley Page Hampden Bomber Instrument Panel for the RAF Coningsby Heritage Centre.

It was the anniversary of the first aircraft to have flown out of the base when it began operations in 1941. 

Here's pictures of the final build:

 

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It's made from MDF (panel), clear plastic sheet (gauge glass), PLA (all gauges, switches, instruments, covers and info plates) for the 3D printed items. Nuts bolts and screws.

 

It is scale 1:1, full size.

 

It took approx 6 months to research, design, print, paint and assemble.

 

The boxed Panel was unveiled by Lancaster Navigator, Arthur Spencer DFC who served at RAF Coningsby in WWII.

RAF Con Facebook Page

 

 

 

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I was fortunate to be able to obtain help for the build from the RAF Museum who provided me some plans for an early panel and to have access to the Hampden Bomber at East Kirkby airfield to take accurate measurement.

 

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Likewise I had a good look at the restored panel at RAF Cosford on the superb reconstructed remains of the Hampden from a Russian crash site.

 

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My panel was all designed in fusion 360 (outstanding software).

 

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I made casts for many of the prints for future reproduction.

 

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The construction was straight forward thanks to good plans, drawings and the real items I visited. 

 

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The final results look cool in my eye

 

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Enjoy

 

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That's wonderful. Very special. You'd think there would be a market for kits of i/p's from famous aircraft for framing after assembly.

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This is absolutely amazing.  I am in awe of all the creative uses of computer design programs and how they can be applied to current modeling.  I am a dinosaur in regards to this aspect of modeling and truly respect those that understand how to use the available programs to create a masterpiece such as this one.  Again, I am in awe of this instrument panel.  Thank you for sharing.

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Amazing build. Interesting little mechanical interlock on the port side, looks to be something to do with the undercarriage? Neat solution to making sure two things aren't turned on at once.

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Hi alzictorini,

 

Having personally restored or created several original aircraft instrument panels in aluminium/tuffnel including: Vampire FB.5 and T.11; Meteor F.4 and NF.11; Hornet F.1; Sea Hornet PR.22; and Tempest II, I can say that you have done a superb job on this Hampden. It's indistinguishable from the original.

 

Amazing work.

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9 hours ago, PWJ said:

Superb modelling Sir.

Why has AIRFIX not done a 1/48 kit of this aircraft?

Cheers PWJ

If I am correct it was all about the fact that there is no complete and finished aircraft available for measurements……at the moment so this can change!

This was recently asked at Airfix and this was their answer!

 

cheers, Jan

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Absolutely fantastic!  I can see Flightsimmers the movie industry beating a path to your door!  (Sorely tempted myself!)  Maximum respect Janneman!

Edited by Alpha Juliet
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Morning BMs

 

Thanks for the support and comments, much appreciated and hopefully this will inspire someone to build their own panel. As I’ve described in a few threads now, panels can be made from card, plastic all the way to metal if required.

Eduard do a small range of 1/4 size panels which frame beautifully.

I will post one other build of a BF109 panel from card and paper only next.

 

As for the Hampden bomber, it is so ugly it is a beautiful. The Hampden at RAF Cosford is to be displayed in segments so as to see inside. I hope Airfix can build a kit from this?

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1 hour ago, Eric Mc said:

Outstanding work. I'd love an instrument panel for my wall.

and I would like one fitted in my car!

 

Wonderful work,

 

Michael

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It's the calculator for the torpedo release, drift, speed, windage. The hampden then lit a light in the lower windscreen which the pilot would steer to. Clever bit of clock mechanical kit.

The Cosford Hampden as well as the East Kirky bomber were rigged for torpedo attacks (Hampden T1s).

Both planes came from 144 Sqn and came down on the way over to Russia.

Edited by alzictorini
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