FME erk

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

I'm impressed with the work so far Ernie. Why is it we all want more photos but you tease us with just one ?? I am so looking forward to seeing the NMF and then the red . . . it will be fantastic or even better than that David

Liking the idea of the engine 'Cheat' makes for common sense in my book David

Shame about that Graham I'm sure a number of us would have taken a few had we known you were casting it

Where did the large, clear bomb-aimer's blister come from I wonder ? and do the engines have motors in them ??

Phil The Airfix Refueller Set plan, see the first post, in their instruction sheet is the only 'plan' I have seen of the AEC Matador refueller so to that end I have scaled it up to both 35th and 32nd scale. There is a noticeable difference in the two scales so I couldnt use the 35th AFV Club kit in parts for the 32nd build, sadly. I am rather hoping that the American GMC lorry has a wider axle in 35th than the AFV Club Matador of the same scale so that I could adapt it for the 32nd build ?.

I shall be in receipt of the Heller GMC 2.5t kit very soon. I purchased it for the items mentioned above but If the axles are not wide enough I shall put it back on Ebay site. If they are, for the 32nd scale version, then I think I shall be running with them. I also looked at the KFS stuff and I particularly liked a couple of the WWII vehicles but then I am drifting away from the 32nd scale and who knows where I might end up ?? David

I think that is the axle off the front on the Matador. The drive is off-centre and I think that is the steering rack seen at the back in the photo . . . (I'm not an expert either )

I opted to purchase these kits in order to obtain a third axle along with the prop shaft and wheel/tyres should i decide to go 35th scale. I have the AEC 6w refueller plan(s) in both 32nd & 35th scale. In both cases I would have to build a tank and associated pump housing at the rear. I still fancy the 32nd scale as the cab is basically a box. I was unaware that you got TWO cab fronts and roof in each boxing of the kit so I can readily build a couple of vehicles in 35th (an RAF 3-tonner & 6w Crane). If I turn to the 32nd I would need to source something to represent three axles, drive transmission and prop shafts . . . anybody know of such for a WWII lorry ? Decisions to be made David

I did find those panels rather strange with the panel lines contained within them . . . glad you are eliminating them Ernie ! David