FME erk

Doesn't look good when there are traces of blood everywhere

I had this display unit built especially for my 48th Lancasters (second one is under construction), and measures approx. 5ft across the front, is 30" deep and the height is 18". Its fits nicely into the bay window at the front of the house because I never was going to purchase a suite with a second chair . . . Individually designed by me and crafted by a local cabinet maker and costing around £300. I am well pleased with it David

Progressing with the rear twin axle combination. I need to complete the front axle with the wheels so I can then fix the height of the rear axles. I think in photos of actual vehicles, the rear end is slightly down but that is probably due to the weight of the fuel in the tank so I am aiming to get it as level as possible. The cab will be a point of interest and AFV do not let you down with detailing. Provision is there to have a number of window combinations and I will probably run with at least a couple of them being open. I hope to get the 6 wheel chassis complete with the cab before starting on the tank and pump housing David

Lovely paint work and that decal is such a nice touch , bring it on ! Thing with the .303 guns, bomber crews were not there to slug it out with night fighters but they could bring down a night fighter with a well aimed burst. The American P51 only became the escort to their bombers when it had the British Merlin added I am looking forward to seeing the paint work on the wings and tailplane Ernie, she will look ACE David

Completed the front axle and drive shaft last night. The fun begins when I try and build the two axles at the rear :shock: Just a snap to see how the cab is going to look . . . you dont see many ( if any) with the early style roof and sliding hatch being built even in the smaller scale a couple of days off before I start again David

All paint work chips on real aircraft so dont beat yourself up to much

The one thing about AFV instructions, they aint very clear Ideally they could have had exploded views to clearly show where to stick stuff A bit of progress here with the suspension on the front, so many small pieces Modifications to the cab with a roof sliding hatch and on the refueller vehicles there were two triangular windows cut out to aid reversing. I will need also to do the same for the 'Fire shield' inserted behind the cab. Thanks for looking in . . . .

You have to believe that this took over two hours to assemble. The instruction sheet does not offer the best placement of parts onto the main frame. There are quite a few recesses in the frame and its not the biggest/clearest diagram. As you can see I have extended the chassis and as such I have used artistic licence in placing certain parts on the extended section regards the hawser wire. I will be have to produced a larger fuel tank and a longer Air tank as those in the kit are smaller for the 4 x 4 Gun tractor. The kit only provides the bottom section of the engine.

Thanks for coming back and sharing this

Hi Bill I'm sure others and myself are wondering how you are getting on ? Your previous post mentioned getting some paint on, have you managed this ? David

Thanks Jeff. Useful photographs I must say. I do believe that that particular vehicle was purchased by a film company and if it is also to be believed, it was actually used at RAF Scampton to refuel the dambusting Lancaster aircraft . . .

I'm sure most of us have had a 'senior' moment . . . It happens to the best of us David

I have been doing a touch of research on this and I have made a tentative start. taken from the book for reference only, 'Taking the Rough with the Smooth', is this photograph upon which I shall base my model . . . Caption reads "The MK2 (model 0854) refueller had the diesel engine fitted. Visible on the roof are the runners for the sliding roof panel". Started with the chassis which needs to be extended and modified . . . On the 4 x 4 tractor unit I found it necessary to remove the top section of the chassis. I have only made this initial template for the tank . . . there will be five such for the tank A slight cheat perhaps but I enlarged the Airfix parts up to 1/35th to give me a better idea of sizes . . . I also did the same with the Airfix chassis and now I have received some Super Styrene 'C' section I can start cutting up the chassis and extend it . . . More to come David

Being the other Lanc fanatic, I look forward to your future builds but for the mo I am engrossed in the FM104 David

I hope all is well with you Harv or at least comfortable. I'm currently being ripped apart with Kidney stones so I too am not capable of sitting for long periods to do what I want to do. Thinking and sharing together mate

Excellent build and a beautifully coloured version of our trusted Lancaster.

Thanks Ron. I have never heard of that name so I shall start browsing to see what I can find

Beautifully crafted and painted up well

THE GMC lorry wheels are not ideal so I shall press on with using the AFV kits. I've not been to well of late but I do intend to make a start pretty soon, I am having withdrawal symptoms I gotta make a start soon

Looking forward to those . . . .

First class job on the rivetting

Graham Many thanks for producing that superb bit of craftsmanship. Can I ask if you are going to produce a 4000lb trolley and one for carrying smaller bombs ? 'My' squadron didnt carry the 12,000lb, not many did, so although it looks terrific I shall wait hopefully for the smaller version. Have you plans to produce the David Brown ? David

Thats a superb finish on the front turret Ernie, Crackin

You realise that they will refer back here for the final scheme as they will assume you have studied the aircraft more than anybody else and as such . . . 'Your the man ' It will recently be an eye catcher, head turner when she flys over for real David

Certainly no going back now Ernie