Wingco57

Indeed, don't tell HK Models by the way It also looks like the fuselage is sagging a bit because of the weight. Cees

Seems like you are enjoying yourself. Engine + jig looking great. Cees

Aeroplanes were well made and flush riveted...... Yeah right! Lancaster (applicable to manchester as well, source Flickr) Cees

Those cradles really look magnificent. Cees

Wow amazing that you use the Lancaster side panels. Will you be using the underside ones too? I was wondering how are you going to tackle the windows? I am about to start to cut individual windows on the Manchester, sand them flush with the skinning and then mask off. Interior has been painted black using your method. Keep it up Tom, this looks fantastic. Ces

As I told Jeroen yesterday evening our museum used to have a similar dish for years albeit dismantled. It came from Eindhoven university and was used for studying the stars. The Germans were lightyears ahead of their time. Cees

All windows have been succesfully cut out, Next cleaning up, painting the inside of the fuselage black ( nice idea I nicked from Tom Probert) and then start fitting the windows. another tedious job but it has to be done. Ceed

You're forgiven Dave, now go see a doctor. I'm a prophead too, but the Meteor is a very attractive aircraft and the HKM is a joy to build, so I got off the path too. Cees

Hi Modeler73 Welcome to LSM Can you introduce yourself? What are your main interests in the hobby (190's obviously?) Cheers Cees

True Max, I have seen Lancs with windows built after 1943. So pure speculation here. Windows were also overpainted. So I really hope HKM will include them. Beter to fill or paint them over other than cutting them all out (speaking from experience). Cees

Actually The specification to which the Manchester and Halifax were designed called for a whole wishlist of tasks. The Air Ministry could not make up their minds what tasks the aircraft were to perform, so they wanted them all in one design. Including catapult assisted take-off. This caused some problems for the designers (and yes the Manchester and Halifax are to be compared, not the Lancaster and the Halifax). The Lancaster windows were generally deleted in 1943-ish. Cees

Thanks chaps, IIRC one of the requirements for the Manchester was troop carrying. Having windows to look out of would have been comforting. Neil, I will bring it over to Telford this year again (albeit in a bit different composition compared to the previous show) Cees

Very nice scratchbuilding Rob, Cees

How about a Luftwaffe Defiant then.... Cees

Great work Tom, As always you make it look so easy. Cees

Very very nice. Cees

The port side is done, very pleased, have started on the starboard side already. Cheers Cees

Neither can I Gus, Just think about a problem, start on it, make mistakes, eradicate them, start anew, etc etc. This evening another window opening session. 7 windows in an hour is reasonable. Some 14 still to go. As this subject is very much to my liking, tediousness is not an issue. But fun altogether. Cees

That radiator really looks the part. Cees

Some more opening tales, positive ones this time. Spent an hour or so to open up the side windows, it went very well using a template all windows are reasonable uniform. I really hope HK Models will provide the windows as cutting out all of them is not easy. Cheers Cees

Isn't it called a sprayingmat? Cees

We're not worthy master! Cees

Well I took one step forward this evening and one step back. Result: zero, zilch, nada, noppes. But I have learned a few things: -make sure you mark the correct position of the window on the lower panelline not the upper one doh! -it is possible to open op the windows accurarely -it is possible to plug in the hole with a suitable piece of plasticcard or clear plastic and sand it completely smooth -it is better to fit the glazing portions and sand them smooth before painting. Masking is better Well, it was a useful evening without any practical progress, but fun altogether. And I learned something too. Nobody said modelling was easy. Cheers Cees

Hi Graham, Good to see you following your heart. I wish you every succes. The impressive Spiteful and Seafang show what you are capable of. Keep us informed about the Attacker. Cees

Turret will be popped in the mail tomorrow morning. Nice plamuurwork Cees