Clunkmeister

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

Thanks Jeff. TRULY appreciated!!

I went to bed last night unsure on the wings as the MMP dries slowly when you add the reducer, so the streaking was exaggerated somewhat. I looked this morning and am mostly thrilled by the results. Much more blended. There are a couple spots I might touch up, but all in all it looks like a sun weathered aluminum wing. Tonight I'll paint the power eggs in more of a slightly darker and newer looking duraluminum finish and see where we stand. The beauty of MMP is that it's super easy to change and topcoat.

Both, I’d say. But I peeled back some tape, and this thing is looking yummy.

Thanks, although I’m at the stage of maximum ugliness, right before it all ties together.

Bill I’ve been collecting info on the B-24 since they announced the kit.. but never in all my years have I been so let down about a new kit as I was with the B-24J. They screwed up every possible shape on that model except the control column. And that was FUBAR. Even the main wheels are too big! I’m holding out hope of slightly less hopelessness on the D version.

That nose looks all the world like thy lifted it off a B-25D

Those Lancastrians did well for TCA and BOAC. Served well into the North Star and Super G era. Not bad for a cobbled together afterthought.

Another angle. I’m really really liking the streaking. It’s gonna help during the minor dirtying up. This was 1963, and these birds were getting tired. As you can see, the wings are quite weathered. Power eggs need to be somewhat shinier and noticeably darker. Comments?

No kidding. I think we’re gonna need another house.

I need to smooth out the aluminum a bit, lights play harshly on it. Another light mist of chrome and I’ll do something around the engine nacelles as well. I tried for a hint of oil canning but it didn’t work right. I think after a mist coat, followed by a bit of an oil wash, it’ll really look the part. Nacelle dude panels will be duralumininuminuminum. Then dirty the snot out of the area around the engines. Sorry for the odd picture angle. Trying not to get too much glare

Especially since the Lancastrian was a Canadian development and they weren’t exactly in short supply. Mike, I’m glad to see you’re planning my future I like it.

Just got these needed items. Im sorely lacking in reference material.

Bought these for the screens

hope to make it there in a year or two. I'd like to fly in if I can ever get my act together.

Well here’s where we are as of tonight. We certainly need some panels added to those big silver slabs! We’ll give them a couple spots of slight variation, then a chrome mist to make it pop. Then peel back the tape and see what I need to redo. In retrospect I wish I’d have gone a bit more gung ho on the interior, but that’s just me. Gotta remember to paint the bottom of the radome and mount the rear view camera. We need to get this big girl on her feet. We have antenna farms to install.

Yikes! Big aluminum slabs standing on my bench. Aux fuel tank being prepped, bomb doors getting pin marks filled... New AM parts being prepped. One way or another, this will be in Chattanooga. As this model is showcasing some cool AM, I’m actually aiming for the display area, rather than the competition table doesn’t allow signs advertising parts and goodies other than a quick mention.

Thanks Sluggo! Tamiya tape gets insanely expensive when you’re masking big birds multiples of times. I’ll be picking some of that up forthwith. If it’s as good as Tamiya tape, I’m in. I use the Pactra flexible tale as well and I’ve yet to find a substitute. It can get hard to source as well, and the only thing Tamiya tape doesn’t do well is bend. Maybe there’s something to these Luftwaffe mottled schemes after all? 74,75,76 sounds so easy right about now. And early 109s are my thing.

Yeah I expect my LHS and Mr. Tamiya love me right about now. Thanks Anthony. I like building different looking stuff, and this one’s been a dream ever since it was announced that HK would be coming out with a Lanc.

Yep, if “Spanish style” is your hing, then look no further than a Greek bird. Oh so incredibly cool! I have a couple pics of a CF-18B during the Libya campaign, and it was dirty like a pig is slop. I expect those jets were turning 24/7 during that little altercation, and that two seater showed every single mission. It looked like it had been hot fueling for a week straight.