Clunkmeister

All I can say is that a up to date solif CF-100 and CF-105 in 48 or 32 would sell like crazy around here. In TEXAS.

And I will say that his 1/32 CF-5 conversion set is stellar!

Agreed, Jeff. After talking to Mike, this almost took on a life of it's own. He was extremely Gung-Ho, as any Red Blooded Canadian would be, and it's my sincere hope that this set allows others to try Mike's decals and build some uniquely Canadian Lancasters.

Tony, there are videos on YouTube, and I buy casting resin right from Hobby Lobby. I’m not sure where to get the RTV solution for making a mold, though.

Of course, a HUGE thank you to Mr. Mike Belcher for picking up this project and printing me som FM104 numbers for my bird.

Included schemes are 1. KB889, VR Z, Ruhr Express, the very first Mk.X built. 2. KB736, VR A, the aircraft Andrew Mynarski crewed when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. This is the scheme the CWH Lancaster flies in. Just note that KB736 carried the British Nash turret, but the CWH Lanc is a later Mk.X with the Martin turret. 3. KB732, VR X, Xterminator. The first Mk.X to shoot down a German fighter. 4. Postwar Lanc KB889, which whas shipped to Britain, rerstored to wartime colors, and is now on display at Duxford. 5. Postwar Lanc FM213, which is the CWH Lanc as she flew in her final RCAF scheme. So you have five choices, and with a bit of ingenuity, you can do many, many more. The nice thing about this set is that all three wartime offerings can be built using the box stock HK Lancaster kit. They all have side windows, and all are pre-Martin turret production. The two postwar options will take a bit more work, but many of the parts needed for the conversion are included in the kit. The others may possibly be offered in resin in the future. This set was badly needed, and now that it’s here, I hope we’ll see some great Lancs in display cases and on contest tables.

There are enough markings to do more than one bird here.

So, a few months ago, I announced here that I was going to use the beautiful HK Lancaster kit build RCAF Lancaster Mk.X FM104 as she appeared in her last paint scheme, circa 1961 or so. The biggest stumbling block was going to be finding the correct markings for the aircraft. Now, the lightning stripe and lettering would be no issue, as I can mask those, but finding the correct roundels with not only the correct sizes but also the correct style maple leafs was going to be a concern. Plus, the Red Ensign flags on the fins would be a very serious problem. So I approached Mike Belcher of Belcher’s Bits to inquire about the possibility of him scaling up his 1/48 scale decal set to 1/32, to fit the new crop of large scale Lancs. Mr. Belcher immediately offered to scale up the drawings to 1/32 and pass me the files so I could print masks. But I guess that more than just myself ended up asking, because within a week or two, he had decided to produce these in actual decals. This set is absolutely flawless, folks. You are given a set that allows you to produce three wartime Mk.Xs, plus two postwar rescue birds. But FM104 is not one of them, so Mr. Belcher actually took the time to make me a set of FM104 markings so I can finish my build. This type of incredible personal service is incredible these days. I know Mr. Belcher is an extremely busy man, and to just go out and do he lettering for -104 as a one off is way, way, way beyond my wildest dreams or expectations. He offered files for masks. We got decal sheets. Buy these, folks. Buy from Belcher Bits often. His line of decals and resin is second to none. I promised him that barring a major calamity, my Lanc will be at the Nats this year, and we’ll do some pics for his website. Or, Joy will do the pics because my crappy pictures ability is legendary. Check out the following pics, folks.

Springtime is the time for new life to come forth. These pics are on my friend Randy’s ranch, just a couple or three miles from my front door, where we have our outdoor pistol and rifle range set up. Pics were taken three weeks ago.

Discarding all the tumbleweed clichés, springtime in Texas is a magical time. For a few weeks in spring, we have the Bluebonnets blooming and the sight absolutely takes your breath away. Let me assure you that this picture doesn’t even begin to capture the raw beauty of these scenes.

I thought exactly the same thing. Double and triple takes

Welcome to the Forums, Angus! I spent a half hour trying to place my lower jaw back on my face. I was blown away by your level of detail on this build. Stunning work! You’ll love it here, we’re all laid back and easy going. Now you gotta get a Lanc and start building.. hehe

Well, it certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s a start. Through the Perspex, it’ll look the part, I suppose.

Here’s what we’re looking to achieve.

Preach it, Brother!!!

Yup, so get busy there, son!

For some reason, this Tamiya epoxy is scary bad. Same with the HPH epoxy I use for my resin stuff. Apparently it must have something known by the State of California to cause cancer in baby whales.

Danke, mein kamerad.

You’re probably right, Gaz. WNW has openly stated that we won’t be getting a Jenny. And if you think about it, it’s understandable in some ways; basically a US and Canadian trainer, little to no actual combat record, and it’s a literal maze of rigging wires. People today complain about the rigging on an Albatros D.Va, and other than to us select few, the Jenny would probably sell in the several 10s of kits. Who knows, maybe CSM? They finally took the bull by the horns with a Nieuport 17, and what a sweet kit that is. Lukgraph would be another possibility. I LOVE their choice of subjects. We’d see a cabin conversion LVG C series before we see a Jenny, unfortunately.

There’s an original/restored JN-4 Canuck that hits some of the local shows around here. It’s something else to see that old crate chug around. It sounds like a Model T Ford and always looks like it’s barely flying.

Well, myself, if I were going to do a barnstormer from the 20's, I would choose a 2 seater, because in North America at least, Barnstormers would buzz the local towns, many of which had residents who had never seen an airplane in the flesh before, and then set down in a field and sell rides, followed by an "airshow" full of stunts and 'death defying' feats. In North America, my choices would be: 1. JN-4, either the Jenny or the Canuck, both of which were widely used all over North America. Some even had a Hisso installed in place of the Curtiss V8. 2. DH-4, an barnstormer's second choice. 3. DH-9a, another barnstormer's staple. The DH-4 and 9a were still very much in use by Government Agencies however, although they could be bought surplus, they were a step way, way beyond a Curtiss JN-4, which for quite a few years could be had brand new still in their factory crates for very little money. The DH-4 in particular played huge in the development of the airmail system, and to a slightly lesser extent, so did the Ninak. The Brisfit was around on this side of the pond, but my research shows it to be much less commonly used, at least in the US. There were more on a percentage basis in Canada, though. Most likely strictly due to the DH-4 and Ninak being heavily used by the US Military. Whatever was commonly available locally in surplus sales is what you'd see. If/When WNW gives us a DH-4, I think the floodgates will open. Barnstormers, early cabin conversions, mailplane conversions, etc. If you want to go all Continental, it seems like the LVG C type two seaters were used as mailplanes and even the odd cabin airliner conversion.

In the mail between there and here. I really need them quickly

So completely un PC. Hehehe In the 80s, that’s the only way Canada made the news

Oooh, nice soft fluffy, cute white baby seal pelts? I want my bed’s winter comforter made out of those.

Looking good, John!