FME erk

The completed kit. It was a simple build but I made a few alteration. I took off the front 'nudge' bar as I didnt see one on wartime photos. I also added a battery box seen on the nearside step, again you see these in wartime pics. I also 'damaged' the front off-side mudguard (fender) and also the near side mudguard was 'bent' back slightly, again seen in a number of photos. I added my own 'B/1' designation and placed the 'Type' on the rear mudguard as per photo. This is the tractor with my scratch built OIL bowser; this will join my vehicles and other equipment on my HK Lancaster diorama . . . coming soon Thanks for looking in Ian

I've got this finished tonite so will post some photos tomorrow. Next thing may well be some scratch bomb trolleys or even a towing arms to take out the Lancaster to dispersal . . .

Just seen this on the net . . . I am not affiliated to this dealership but thought it may be of interest somebody as a package . . . https://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/hkm01e12-os.htm

The instructions are clear and the steps straight forward . . . and the parts glued in place as per instructions . . . I have added small 'sidelights' on the front wheel arches based on reference photos. The rear wheel inserts seen in place while I had the epoxy glue out . . . they wont be seen once the main wheels are in place Winch also partially constructed Thanks for looking in Ian

For a first resin kit I am finding it quite easy to build. As mentioned previously, selective painting of parts before the actual constructed starts with epoxy adhesive . . . I have painted other such items as the steering wheel and gear levers etc so actual construction isnt that far away . . . thanks for looking in Ian

A little bit done, the centre pieces is just four parts . . . They are just sat together and there is a firm fit/location of the parts. The wheels and tyres have been painted and weathered with five colours . . . so far I purposely bent the front near-side fender (mudguard) as seen in one photo I have; Its not a poor molding . . . Ian

I have made a start Instructions for the initial build I will not be using the front nudge bar as I haven't seen any on wartime photos of tractors pulling bomb trolleys or even the Oil bowser. A good reference is the film on DVD entitled 'Night Bombers' I also cut around the front semi-circle shape on the square base . . . seen in illustration 2, to allow the front grill then to hide the alteration, I added a piece to extend it slightly . . . Looking through the instructions I think it will be easier to paint selected parts before glueing them together. I hope to also build an aircraft 'tow-bar' to accompany the tractor but I have been struggling to find a CLEAR wartime photo of such ?? More to come Ian

I, it was the old Stirling kit. Not a bad representation of the tractor or the trolleys even if by todays standard they were rather simplistic, the Airfix set that you can get now is somewhat better although one piece in the Bomber Re-supply set is still wrong . . . If I could find some small wheels to the correct size, I would love to scratch build a couple of bomb trolleys . . . . in 1/32nd of course Ian

Thought I would show some progress photos of this kit which I recently acquired to join my same scale Lancaster and scratch built OIL bowser. The usual box and parts photos . . . . I would just like to say that this is the FIRST resin model I have attempted. The parts are very crisp and I am liking the detail . . . I will be wanting to make a few alterations to the kit that I have observed from numerous photo of tractors, primarily the front nudge bar and the positioning of the lights and decals. Talking of decals, there are numbers that represent No's 2, 4 and 5 bomber groups but not my particular group, No. 1. Not a big issue More to come soon Ian

Expensive if they are really necessary ??

That looks very similar to my efforts . . . It will turn out as a fairly accurate replica of the Vulture engine Cees, looking forward to seeing more Ian

Dennis You have just beat me to the bombsight frame. I spotted it as an 'obvious' flaw and have it in hand to alter, yours looks alot better than the kit part . . .well done mate. I look forward to seeing more progress over the coming weeks (months) . . . Ian

The plan is shown in the rear of the book 'Modellers guide to the Lancaster' and is drawn in 144 scale but has the details to enlarge the plan by %n for larger scales . . .

Carl Are these the style of bomb doors you are looking at ?? Ian

Carl have you thought about laminating the doors with 20 thou and finishing with some filler of sorts to shape ??? Ian

I already have new artwork for two aircraft that I had produced for my existing HK Lancaster. I'm sure such a kit will appeal to those who have not got the space for the full kit but this will make a new tribute centre piece for a fallen one .

My sincere Condolences to you and Joy . . . . . You take all the time you need to concern yourself with family matters . . . God Bless You

Cees I dont feel I can comment other than I really enjoy the work you are doing, watching and learning like many others I only undertake small simple conversions but your work goes well beyond that so I dont think I am qualified to do so .. .. .. I am probably only 'average' when it comes to modeling and I feel that I can only add simple suggestions such as for the gaters on the u/c struts. I am relatively new here so I certainly am not in the position to criticise Please continue the good work . . . . Ian

I would suggest possibly some 4 or 7mm corrugated strip that you could have and wrap it around each section . . . . It has ridges so without having a go myself, the 7mm scale MIGHT look the better of te two ??? Just a thought Cees

Both the kits bomb-aimers blister are correct for particular aircraft. Early and MK.II Lancasters had the shallow blister. The other kit blister has two holes in the front which is suitable for aircraft that had the later version of I.F.F. installed. The new blister give you the option of the most common blister carried by the majority of Lancaster aircraft.

Thats is just bloody amazin . . . . who would have thought it was for a flying model ??

Recently received this and thought I would share as a 'Inbox review' The very simple instruction booklet shows the twenty stages of construction. The few decals required for the tractor has two styles of registrations so it can be marked as a post-war. The resin is beautifully cast and all parts are found on FIVE sprues and the detail is really of a high definition . . . I think it will compliment my OIL bowser that I scratched late last year but it was produced to draw the bomb trolly that is also produced by Iconicair. I look forward to building this lovely kit in the near future Ian

I am pleased to say that this little gem dropped in today . . . First impression is that its very clean and crisp and I am looking forward to adding it to the OIL bowser that I built. Only the tiniest of an itch, the decals dont include 'my' bomber group, No1 . . . No's 5, 4 & 2 are represented on the decal sheet its just a shame that Graham couldn't have included all the numbers for the Group's No. 1, 3, 6 & 8. It shouldn't be a problem to spray the letter 1 on to the tractor. I am looking forward to building it when I get some appropriate adhesive .. . .

I see the new bomb aimer blister is on the website, its listed as the Dambuster nose blister but it can obviously be used on any Lancaster and replaces the IFF 'OO' rings found on the HK kit, hence the new release from Iconicair. Price £20 excluding postage, around £3.50. . . .

Superb . . . .