Clunkmeister

Well, assuming that someone will pick up the ball and run with it on Mike's parts, we should now have enough stuff to do a fairly close representation of a late 50's - early 60's Mk.10MP. With some basic cockpit mods and a bit in the nose, you should be good to go. Yes there's plenty of differences with the interior, but I absolutely guarantee you that they're all invisible unless you model the rear door open. The HK kit has 90% of what you need to do a postwar Mk.X, just scratch the fuselage dorsal doublers and mix and match the kit parts. I hope we see more of these coming down the line very soon. Next for me will be a Lancastrian in TCA colors.

In the meantime, I just hope the other wing matches this one.

David, Smitty had done Victorious Virgin with the Kitsworld decals. The noseart was more like 1/28 scale and the red on the fuselage letters was sorta off a bit. Just beware. I love the Phantom of the Ruhr scheme. I considered that one when the kit first came out, and I know you'll do it proud

Stunning build, Tony. We’ll have some racers to show next year...

Thanks Martin. It’s not anywhere near perfect and it has enough flaws to take it out of serious IPMS competition, but it looks good, it’s been rewarding, and should show well.

I am finally getting an idea how truly MASSIVE this model is. Up until now, my biggest build was the Wingnuts Felixstowe flying boat, and this one absolutely dwarfs the Felix. I have a pretty big bench. This doesn’t fit. I also hope the wings go on OK....

Ok folks, back on topic. First of all, Dave Crosby turned me on to Mission Models paints. After I stayed right with him on his captured Ki-84 build, I became a believer. I’ve spent a bit of time working on the wings, and folks, I’m bloody well ecstatic at the results. I’ve had a tiny amount off bleed through onto the outboard deicer boot due to shoddy masking, but I’ll fix that quickly enough tomorrow. I also will shade duraluminum on the bottom panels as well. The bottom looks positively boring. Then a gloss clear for walkway and rounded application, followed by weathering. There’s plenty of prep flaws that I just don’t have time to fix now, but right now, this model needs to be in Chattanooga in two weeks. I’m in good shape so far. I didn’t attend to the flippin’ landing lights, so I’ll try to fake something in, dammit.

Awesome awesome awesome Scooby! Sorry if I sounded all off putting and all, but like you, I’m a firm believer it putting one’s money where one’s mouth is. between the bunch of us, we can make these things happen. My next lobbying project will be to get Belcher onboard with 1970s-1980s 1/32 RCAF Dak decals. That one might be a bit of a stretch, but failing decals, masks are just fine. He’s an expert on this stuff, so maybe he can say if the Lanc set has some useable things? Thinking the lightning stripe in particular... I knew Rick Chin well. Raymond, too. Just by phone mind you, but I bugged them for what seemed like decades. LOL I’m not a 1/48 scale guy, but I bought 8 of their CT-114 resin sets when they came out. I built one into a Hobbycraft kit, and am doing another. I just can’t unsee that windshield. I NEED to get back in the air. My regular ship is undergoing a semi unplanned restoration that started with a simple failed annual due to the elevator fabric being iffy. Now the fuselage is stripped of the panels, the prop’s being done, and we’re redoing everything visible with the fuselage panels off. The CT-114 Tutor would be the perfect size for 1/32. A-37 too, and Jet Provost/Strikemaster... And they’re right up in Kinetic’s wheelhouse, too.

Scooby, it’s about ALL of us asking for, and following through with performance once a request is honored. Now YOU GUYS need to step up and purchase these parts and decals. Show the manufacturers that Canadian subjects are truly viable and popular, and that you folks out there will actually build them and then show them at contests. And make sure you promote these goodies tirelessly. It’s only right to do so. all too often a manufacturer listens to modelers, invests a sizable sum of money in product development, production and marketing, only to have the project fizzle with next to zero sales. Buy Belcher’s decals, buy the Barracuda wheels, talk to others involved and work to get the RCAF specific goodies produced and sold. Sometimes, just following up with your promises will break the logjam loose. Last year at the US Nats, I campaigned tirelessly to Kinetic for a 1/32 CT-114. They’re hitting the CF-18s hard, and they sell well. They did a line of 1/32 BAE Hawks, including an RCAF version, and sales were apparently lukewarm. So guess what? Suddenly they think trainers don’t sell. Will they do a CT-114? Who knows, but I won’t stop pounding the drum until it either happens, he runs away when he sees me coming, or I die.

Mike, this is just a warm up. Carl, all I did was what I do well: Bump my gums together, The people who did it all are Mike and Roy.

Be sure to say hello when you're there. I expect I'll be at the Kitty Hawk booth.

Agreed there! I've used the P-51 and Corsair decals myself, as well as his generic placards for various builds. Great Stuff!

Dennis, that's one of my favorite schemes. Beware though, if you're going to use Kitsworld decals, check carefully. Smitty built Victorious Virgin using their decals and the nose art was quite oversize, as well as the call letters being the wrong shade of red. FYI

Phil, that is way beyond my pay grade, but I sure hope so.

Thanks Mike, I’ll change what I posted. I’d hate to have a bunch of order flood in ahead of time.

They're definitely simplified, aren't they. But the kit wheels are pretty close to the wartime smoothies. Just to be clear here, that's unsanded putty on the seam. Mark, I think if someone was so inclined, he or she could doctor up the kit hubs to better reflect the prototype hubs. Here’s the picture of the master for the smoothies. It was posted last night to the Barracuda Ready Room on FB. The hub and sidewall details are much improved

I'd put money on there being several of these on tables at the Nats. I've seen them around for sale for very, very little money.

Dennis, I just noticed they weren't up yet as well. But they've been announced on the Barracuda Facebook page. I echo your statement regarding Barracuda Studios products. They're top notch in every single way. Despite mine being a pre-production sample that was rushed out to me so they can be showcased on this build, I see absolutely NO flaws whatsoever except for some very slight flash in one single axle hole that I cleared out in literally 10 seconds, and there is not one single bubble, void, or resin flaw anywhere that I can see. They're going to be the perfect finishing touch for my postwar Lancaster build. Oh, and Dennis, it's good to see you here, man!! You know we have a Traders Board here as well, right? LOLOLOL You might get the opportunity to relieve me of my hard earned cash in the future if you ever feel the need to do so. haha

Agreed there! And my set is even the pre production test run. If mine are a test set, I’d love to examine a retail production set. I’ll look at the Nats. Things like this is why I always bang the drum to support the AM resin, decal, and PE manufacturers. Buy their products, use and showcase their products, and feature it on your builds.

A few months back, I approached Roy Sutherland at Barracuda and Mike Swinburne with the idea of producing some aftermarket wheels for the new crop of 1/32 Lancaster kits here and soon to come. Both were quite receptive to the idea, and between everyone, an idea formed. Mike and Roy each got a wheel from my kit, and after some back and forth, trials, tribulations, busted knuckles, and some baleful looks from my dog, a little box arrived from Barracuda. Inside we’re two absolutely beautiful postwar RCAF Lancaster wheels with block tread tires. But, I was sworn to absolute Military Grade secrecy as we would not only be getting postwar block treads, but also much needed resin replacements for the smoothies in the kit that ended up somewhat devoid of detail. Check these out, folks. I put a kit wheel next to them for comparison sake, and all I can say is WOW!!! These wheels are stunning, and the added sidewalk detail along with the block tread just screams LATE WAR Lancs or Postwar RCAF. The smoothie is every bit as nice as these and either set will go miles to improving the look of your big Lanc kit. I’m proud to announce today that these wheels will be released in both 1/32 and 1/72, and will be available from Barracuda Studios in August. Limited number s should be available for direct purchase at the Nats as well. Two huge thumbs up to Barracuda Studios and Mike Swinburne as well for making this happen. Check Barracuda Studios website for details. http://barracudacals.com/products.php?cat=13

Oh YEAH! Love it!

The difference certainly speaks for itself. Here’s a picture of the smoothies that I got from the Barracuda Ready Room FB Page

The kit wheels are quite simplified and are one of the few places on the kit in need of help. Barracuda’s new Lanc wheels will be an instant hit I’m sure and they’ll go a long way to enhancing these big Lancs. They will be available in both block and smooth tread in all three major scales.

So guys, I have some VERY exciting news to announce for all us Lanc lovers. A few months back, I sent a pleading and probably whining email to Roy Sutherland at Barracuda Studios asking that he consider some block tread late and postwar Lanc wheels. Roy took pity on me and between him and Mike Swinburne, they came up with a pattern and because one thing leads to another, we now have a complete line of Lancaster wheels being released in 1/32 and 1/72 scales. I have yet to hear word on 1/48. I received the first copy of the postwar block tread wheels a couple weeks back, but I was sworn to absolute Military Grade secrecy. But as of today, I received a message from both Roy and Mike that they have been announced so I have the OK to announce them. Please check out Barracuda’s full line of resin accessories and decals at their website. These wheels will be ready for sale in August http://barracudacals.com/products.php?cat=13

I’m driving and I have a big wooden box for the Felixstowe so I hope it’ll fit. I’m SUPER excited about the Nats this year. The Lanc will be there and I’m so looking foeard to it