On Heather's Workbench - Strike Hard, Strike Sure: RAF Bomber Command 1940

[Heather Kay]

As modellers and, dare I say it, amateur historians of 1940s British air power, we sometimes throw terms like "Fighter Command" and "Bomber Command" around without really considering what they mean. For many, I am sure, mentioning Bomber Command conjures images of Lancasters and The Dambusters. Forgive me, therefore, if I indulge in a little background history before I get stuck into making models.

 

As I'm sure you may recognise, this thread could well be the start of something longwinded. I don't expect swift progress on any of the planned builds, and neither should you. British bombers tended to be large and often complex machines, so it's fair to expect the same of this thread!

 

Origins

 

Let's start at the beginning. The Royal Air Force was formed in April 1918 by the merger of the British Army's Royal Flying Corps and the Admiralty's Royal Naval Air Service. By the time of the merger, both air wings had been more or less working together anyway. Although the world's first official independent air force, the nascent RAF had a difficult childhood. Both older military arms wanted their toys back, doing all they could to stifle the newcomer before it could get started. The British government didn't really help, starving the RAF of cash, and slashing it to a fraction of the size of the circa 300,000 men with which it ended the war. 

 

The service was saved essentially by Sir Hugh Trenchard, its founding father in many respects and by the 1920s the first Chief of the Air Staff, who argued that air power would be a cost-effective method of policing parts of the British Empire. In 1921, the RAF was given responsibility for all British forces in Iraq, aiming to "police" tribal unrest. The RAF was also deployed to Afghanistan, on its own, to deal with other tribal issues.

 

Back home, the RAF was still fighting to survive. Self-promotion, with events like the Hendon air pageants and taking part in (and winning) the Schneider Trophy air races, were very successful in keeping the air force in the public consciousness. At the same time, the still new technology of flight was seen as glamorous and air-mindedness, particularly among the wealthier classes, was taking hold.

 

Air Defence of Great Britain 

 

The Steel-Bartholomew Committee, meeting in 1923, recommended that defence of the British Isles, and London in particular, as then capital city of a global empire, should be handled by the new Air Ministry instead of the War Office. The defence structure was to involve the RAF's Metropolitan Air Force, with 52 squadrons of mostly bombers, plus the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers to handle anti-aircraft artillery and searchlights. It also recommended setting up a volunteer Observer Corps. Air Defence of Great Britain (ADGB) was formed in 1925, and was organised in three defensive zones:

• Inner Artillery Zone (IAZ), over London
• Air Fighter Zone (AFZ), divided in two areas controlling regular squadrons, the so-called Wessex Bombing Area and Fighting Area
• Outer Artillery Zone (OAZ), a narrow belt along the English east and south coast from Suffolk to Sussex

 

You may well get the impression from that arrangement that much of the military dogma in Britain deemed France as the next potential enemy. It is true, at the time, that the French military was the strongest and best equipped on the Continent and France was also a major colonial power, so perhaps the fears were somewhat justified. This thinking persisted for some time. Planning and developing a British strategic bomber force without a clear idea of who the enemy might be led to some poor decisions about how to equip what was intended to be a deterrent force. Until the mid-1930s, also partially due to limited resources and factory capacity, the bulk of the RAF's bomber force comprised light biplane day bombers, like the Hawker Hart and Hind, cheap and easy to build. Someone at the Air Ministry finally realised that bigger and better machines would be required. Specifications were set out, though still somewhat hampered by various international arms limitations treaties, and the results were aircraft like the Handley Page Heyford and Fairey Hendon. Eventually, specifications laid the groundwork for the aircraft with which the RAF would enter the next war, the Hampden, Wellington and Whitley, plus the light and medium bombers of the Battle and Blenheim. Advanced designs for four-engined heavy bombers were well under way by the time war broke out in 1939.

 

Rethinking ADGB

 

In 1936 ADGB was abolished. In its place, four new Commands were created: Fighter, Bomber, Coastal and Training. Fighter Command would deal with defending the British Isles, Coastal would protect shipping around the coasts, Training needs no explanation, leaving Bomber Command to handle the task of deterring and attacking a potential enemy.

 

(I am, of course, effectively ignoring much of the geopolitical landscape of the late 1920s and 1930s. I think most of us know what the situation was, and I'm trying to explain simplistically how Bomber Command came into existence.)

 

The new Bomber Command inherited a motley selection of aircraft. Arranged into four Groups, oddly numbered 1, 2, 3 and 6, the last being an auxiliary Group, the Command could field squadrons flying a lot of biplanes, some of which could date their designs right back to the Great War. Light bombers like Hawker Hinds, medium bombers like the Boulton-Paul Overstrand, heavies like the Vickers Virginia, were being supplemented by new machines like the Handley Page Heyford and the massive Fairey Hendon, the first all-metal monoplane bomber in the RAF. Modernisation, frankly, couldn't come quickly enough. Happily, the previously mentioned Hampden/Hereford, Wellington and Whitley were starting to enter service, and plans were already in train for the big four-engined heavies.

 

And to the models

 

So, what do I have in store? Well, as you might expect, we modellers in the gentleman's scale have been pretty well served by Airfix over the past few years. Already built, I have the Bristol Blenheim MkIV twin-engined light bomber and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley MkV. The latter is lined up for a mild repaint to correct some dodgy transfers, so may make an appearance here in time.

 

 

 

News from afar tells me that the long-awaited Ffrom Fairey Battle will be with us soon (May 2023 is currently mooted), so that's a big hole in the light bomber fleet to be plugged.

 

 

I did attempt to upgrade the rather elderly Airfix Handley Page Hampden a few years ago, but happily I now have this Valom kit to replace it. Ignore what it says on the box, because I know the right parts for the RAF bomber are inside.

 

 

 

Good old Airfix is providing a pair of Wellingtons. There's a joke in there somewhere, but I can't find it. Take no heed to what markings come in the box. I'm still to choose suitable squadron markings, and I'm keen to do at least one of these to represent either Czech or Polish air crews. 

 

Not photographed is a Revell Handley Page Halifax MkI with some aftermarket bits to improve the Merlin engines.

 

 

A nice vintage 1975 box of the Short Stirling. Why, you may ask, have I not gone for the Italeri kit? Well, right now they are like hens' teeth, plus having reviewed various builds and noted how much effort builders went to in order to minimise the rather excessive panel lines, I reckoned a tenner spent on the old Stirling plus some fun scratching interior parts and "upgrading" the exterior in ways I've not yet explored was a better bet.

 

 

Then there's this. Wait, what? Any fule no that the Lancaster wasn't around in 1940. What gives? Well, what gives is the engines. I had planned to nick a couple of the Bristol Hercules engines and props for another kit, but they might just get purloined en masse to upgrade the Stirling. Meanwhile...

 

 

This quite heavy collection of parts from Blackbird Models will let me de-evolve Roy Chadwick's masterpiece into the Avro Manchester.

 

Now, the more astute among you might have noticed several of these aircraft don't strictly meet my 1940 criteria. This is true. I have a self-imposed rule that I only build models of aircraft in squadron service at any time from 1 January to 31 December 1940. That is actual squadron service, so no prototypes or one-offs or other oddities. No De Havilland Mosquitos, I'm afraid. When it comes to the bombers, however, I am happy to bend that rule. While it is true the Stirling, Manchester and Halifax did not fly operational bombing sorties until the early part of 1941, they were in actual squadrons towards the end of 1940 so crews could begin converting to them and working up to full operations. This bend of my rule means I can begin to show how Bomber Command was being set up to prosecute the rest of the war, which I think is important.

 

Quite when I will begin any of these builds is up in the air. I am currently leaning towards the Valom Hampden as the first off the blocks. The Stirling and Halifax may get a look in as far as deciding what work needs doing, while the Manchester conversion almost inevitably may take the longest to start - and complete! I don't expect much aggro from the Wellington department, being modern kits that go together well.

 

If you've made it this far, well done! I hope it won't be too long before you see more than just words from me.

Edited April 9, 2023 by Heather Kay
Deleted Douhet reference. He wasn’t as influential as often cited.

[Hamden]

 

Always learn from your builds Heather so I will take a seat and quietly watch you work your magic!

 

    Stay safe             Roger

[Brandy]

Now this I am really looking forward to.

 

Ian

[AliGauld]

A massive project but one I will take the greatest interest in.

Your builds always teach me something valuable and this will be a lecture series.

 

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[Zephyr91]

1 hour ago, AliGauld said:

A massive project but one I will take the greatest interest in.

Your builds always teach me something valuable and this will be a lecture series.

 

 

Cheers,

Alistair

I agree entirely.  Go Heather!  

 

Rob

[Heather Kay]

I guess the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down, then. I have to admit I’m pretty excited to get started soon.

 

I should have noted in my lengthy opening post that I’m open to corrections and more information about the formation of Bomber Command, and how it evolved into the war.

[Dave Slowbuild]

Rubbing my hand together with glee -  this is going to be a long haul I’m sure, but Rome wasn’t built in a day (apparently).  
 

You’ve written before about needing more display space, guess that’s even truer now….  I’ve rather shied away from bombers for the same lack of shelf space!

[Heather Kay]

2 minutes ago, Dave Slowbuild said:

guess that’s even truer now….

Indeed! I think the Wimpeys and the Hampden will fit in the display case, with a shelf each to themselves. Possibly the Manc when it’s done. The Stirling and Halibag, though, a different proposition. I suspect they will get photographed, and then straight into the storage boxes.

[keith in the uk]

Hi Heather , doing the same project only in 1.48th scale , built so far are Manchester , Hampden , Lancaster . next up Blenheim and Fairy Battle. 👍

[Mr T]

Looking forward to seeing these. Which engine set have you for the Halifax? I was lucky enough to get one of the Aeroclub ones. 

[Heather Kay]

7 minutes ago, Mr T said:

Which engine set have you for the Halifax?

These are the bits that came with the secondhand kit:

 

 

I also invested in a Falcon vac canopy set that covers the Halifax and Stirling.

 

 

[M.T.Dolby]

Can’t wait to see how all these come along Heather I love your build threads and the theme!! 😊😊

[JOCKNEY]

Good luck Heather,  that's quite a list, I may need more popcorn 

 

Cheers Pat 

[Mr T]

Thanks Heather, quite a haul of aftermarket with the kit. I recall reading somewhere that the undersized wheels in the Revell kit are actually about the right size for a Manchester. It might be true as the Manchester was smaller and  initially lighter than the Lancaster.

[Keeff]

Room for another?  I'll get my chair, a cuppa and some snacks .... this is going to be interesting! 

 

Keith 😁 

[Heather Kay]

13 hours ago, keith in the uk said:

Hi Heather , doing the same project only in 1.48th scale , built so far are Manchester , Hampden , Lancaster . next up Blenheim and Fairy Battle. 👍

I wish I had the space for 1/48th. I’ve always been a 1/72nd kinda gal, and luckily so many of the oddball and weird aircraft flying in 1940 have been produced as kits to that scale. Of course, now my brain wants to go off and dig around to see if any of them are also available in 48th! I may be some time… 
 

10 hours ago, M.T.Dolby said:

Can’t wait to see how all these come along Heather I love your build threads and the theme!! 😊😊

 

Aww, thank you!

 

10 hours ago, JOCKNEY said:

Good luck Heather,  that's quite a list, I may need more popcorn 

Extra supplies on order.

 

1 hour ago, Mr T said:

I recall reading somewhere that the undersized wheels in the Revell kit are actually about the right size for a Manchester.

I shall make a point of checking when I get round to it. (Actually, I’ll probably forget! I shall find some time today to check.)

 

53 minutes ago, Keeff said:

Room for another?  I'll get my chair, a cuppa and some snacks ....

We may well need to engage caterers. This is proving to be some project!

 

 

[VG 33]

Hi Heather

 

This a fantastic project and surprisingly I realize that I have already built some of your list but from other command or operational years.

 

Actually I built the Planet Hobby Manchester and I can say it was a nightmare.

Next went the Valom Hampden from a Coastal Command squadron. Nice kit but the clear parts were too big for the fuselage and I had to adjust.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234910433-172-valom-hp-hampden/

Later it was the Trumpeter Wellington also in Coastal Command colours and this one had very thin wheels that I widened.

I also built the Hasegawa Lancaster and the Italeri Stirling. For the latter yes I admit the panel lines are highly visible.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234990139-172-italeri-short-stirling-b-mk-i/

 

 

Patrick

 

 

[wyverns4]

Hmmm, I might have to join the audience!

Pass the popcorn and a pint please!

 

Christian 

Britmodellers man in Africa

[Heather Kay]

4 minutes ago, wyverns4 said:

Pass the popcorn and a pint please!

I'm not in charge of the bar, but welcome aboard!

 

11 minutes ago, VG 33 said:

Next went the Valom Hampden from a Coastal Command squadron. Nice kit but the clear parts were too big for the fuselage and I had to adjust.

Ooh, noted. Thanks for that. I’ll peruse your threads shortly. I still have the Trumpeter Wellington. With the Airfix ones out there, I don’t think I can sell it on now. I might have to consider if I can make a third MkIc…

 

Now, I’ve just checked my sources for wheel and tyre diameters on the Halifax and Manchester. They all appear to scale out the same, and the Manchester matches the Lancaster. 
 

Now, I really must try and get on with paying work! Laters!

[TheyJammedKenny!]

Nice project!  Looking forward to seeing some more "heavies" here, especially from the Heather Kay workshop.

[DonH]

Seems like all the popcorn has been purloined, so I am in with a packet of pork scratchings and a warm ale.

[alt-92]

4 hours ago, VG 33 said:

Next went the Valom Hampden from a Coastal Command squadron. Nice kit but the clear parts were too big for the fuselage and I had to adjust.

 

The original Valom clear parts were indeed too large. AZ models released a correction set that is much better in fit. I've built mine (see sig) with those. 
@Heather Kay On the off chance you might want to look for them, it's AZA7034.

I may have a set spare if the SabreKit edition of the Valom Hampden has those in the box.  

[Heather Kay]

11 minutes ago, alt-92 said:

The original Valom clear parts were indeed too large.

I was aware of some controversy over the clear parts. If memory serves, the original boxing had vacuum formed clear parts, later swapped for injection moulded ones. It’s the latter which has issues.

 

I've just dug the box out to check how the land lies. With the fuselage taped together, the cockpit parts are too high, but the right length and width. The lower nose part is right, but the upper section is too wide. Some of that is due to the fuselage halves twisting inwards a bit. I think a shim at the nose will fix that. The rear parts all seem about right.

 

I think I’ll get away with what I have, but thanks for pointing out the potential problem.

[Killingholme]

20 hours ago, Heather Kay said:

Indeed! I think the Wimpeys and the Hampden will fit in the display case, with a shelf each to themselves. Possibly the Manc when it’s done. The Stirling and Halibag, though, a different proposition. I suspect they will get photographed, and then straight into the storage boxes.

 

What you need is some ofthose solid acrylic blocks jewellers use for shop displays. It's amazing how many more aircraft can fit in the display case when you 'jack' a few of them up on different levels. It also has the benefit of displaying some of the underside detail too. https://www.luminati.co.uk/solid-clear-acrylic-display-blocks/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Top+Sellers+-+PFM&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2397390700&hsa_cam=18114168427&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2cWgBhDYARIsALggUhrzZOhawo7f84PQIerJdhvjqaZJcp4_AZZh97lGs7RT6_GF76Wk5B8aAl4YEALw_wcB

 

Will

[Graham Boak]

The Falcon Halifax canopy parts are designed to fit, and correct, the Matchbox and Airfix Halifaxes so are probably not needed for the Revell, unless you really like the thinness of vacform canopies, but they might not fit.

 

The AML engines are designed to fit on the front of the Revell nacelles, so have the problem of being too fat.  They should however greatly improve the looks.  The spinners look rather like a copy of the oversize Revell ones, which would have me a bit worried were it my set.  If they are just a copy then the props will be too long.

 

My memory (and Hampden kit) simply says that Valom got it wrong.  I don't think that they were offering vacform canopies - ever?  They also had funny ideas about the torpedo mods, again put right in the AZ set, but that's certainly no problem for 1940.

 

I also have a spare set of Hercules engines from the Lanc Mk.II, but I bought them from Airfix for a Halifax - about £8 for them IIRC.

 

Ale should be warm, as it improves the taste.  Lager (OK, English lager) should be cold because it removes the taste.