Clunkmeister

Ok, I've received quite a bit of feedback on this little episode, so let's talk about it. 1. Quite simply put, I completely missed the extremely obvious front turret treatment on this aircraft. Every single one of these postwar Lancs had it's own individual front turret treatment, and this one was sheeted over and painted. As it's a very obvious feature on the aircraft, it needs to be right, even if it is a seriously ugly feature. 2. If I would have seen this at first, I would have done this building up and smoothing out off the fuselage, but as it is, it should work out. If not, I have a spare turret, and failing that, I'll beg Mike to print a solid copy. (That might have been the way to proceed in the first place, but hindsight is 20/20. Either way, I'll know for sure tonight.

Thanks, Mike! Actually I got up early and gave it a preliminary cut with wet paper, and it’s gonna look great. The front just looked all wrong, and there is no time like the present.

If I’m going to do this, I want it more or less right. If this fails, I’ll see about casting one

Phantastic result, Phil! That’s exactly the look I like. Used, but not abused. It looks like a gun buggy should look. Not like it’s been ditched and rolled before landing back on its wheels.

Yes, call me insane

OK, me no likee the front turret, y’all. The front turret of 104 shows NO framing except for the blanked off gun runs. So, do I do it quick, or do it right? Do it right, of course! So I call my magic genie in two tins, Swami Apoxie, and he agrees to help. So, tonight we slather on the clay. Tomorrow, we sand!!! I love Apoxie Sculpt. It shapes easily with water, and sands very easily Like resin, actually. I’ll need to use some putty on missed areas, but the nose turret needs to be faired in to the fuselage. Gonna be great, I promise

So far so good, but not if I keep cracking finished seams and having to give up every Saturday for other duties.

Sorry for the lack of pics, folks. the issues I have is that I use my iPhone for a camera and the depth of view is not so good. Plus I'm a hideously bad photographer as well. I'll try to get more pics, especially when it isn't just a black blob on my bench. My camera shows little else as of now.

And I’ve always found the best basic white is often just buffed Tamiya primer.

Hahaha you guys crack me up!

At least a couple hours. 10,000 grit.

I am REALLY happy how the Mk.X doublers and Jerry blanking plate came out. Once riveted, hey really look the part. I wanted the turret blank to look semi homemade as if it was done by service members in a cold hangar, and it does. Very happy so far. Now, mask off the top white area and prime it white. Then mask off the lower fuselage, mount radar dome and rear vision camera, and paint in in ADF Grey, She’s coming together.

So, I was ri eying the top patch and reading list rivets with my trusty RB riveter, when I hear the ominous “Crack” from the bottom of the fuselage. Yep, cracked a seam, but it’s now fixed.

I ammNOT a believer in black basing, it this model is mostly NMF, so I believe in a black under surface go make the aluminum pop.

Phil, once the Lanc’s done, I’ll jump on the White 6x6 cargo, them I’ll examine my options for sure

Harv, it looks like the side tubes are in the way of the nose coming together. Like the front assembly is too high. Can you cut it and readjust it lower? You need the top to come together cleanly so the windscreen fits correctly. I’d remove the panels, sand, modify and adjust the frames to fit the panels. The frames won’t be seen, the panels will. Rock and roll, man, you can do it.

It almost looks like the pit frame is too high in the front, with the top longerons not clearing the lip on the cover.

Out with he long knives, buddy, and start hacking away at resin. It looks like an alignment issue.

Carl, this is coming along quite swimmingly. Talk about a quick, easy build.

Carl, I have a hard enough time building 40 bombs for an A-6 or A-7, so I’d certainly blow an artery working on those metal tracks. Maybe a nice, safe 1/16 T-34 instead and stay away from treaded things on this GB? A treadhead I am not...

Agreed, Carl. That looks awesome. Not sure on the rubberband tracks for the M-10 though. I might look for options, possibly metal?

You maniacs got me all looking at service vehicles. I did a trade for a couple... Then this.. with a hedge trimmer attachment for keeping your lawn looking neat and tidy. But I’m just NOT a fan of rubber band tracks.

Sanding sanding sanding.... broke through. Crap! Me and seams. They’re the bane of my existence

Only 80? I should be ready to retire at 117 or so.