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Been asked to show my large scale Nissen hut that will serve as a backdrop for my up-coming Lancaster diorama . . . A simple 6" plastic pipe cut to the appropriate size, some embossed timber on plasti-card and some square micro-strip. Hopefully the photos are self-explanatory and the finished result rgds Ian

Kai I found this from a chap who was on my squadron (100 Sqdn.) stationed at RAF Grimsby, listen at the very begining to what he says . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAeIv35Qlxs Ian

It sure would Carl . . .

The scratch built and correct fitting for the flight-engineers seat in all Lancaster aircraft . . . . For those not aware, the seat dropped down and the two rails ran up the channels and stopped at the top and in essence formed a triangle, the foot of the support frame didnt move from its base position I will secure it when I have the to halves together as there is a few more bits of equipment to add before doing that such as a canvas back rest for the flight engineer. Ian

My Dad was a founding member of the Auster pilots club along with Jim Simes . . . .

The bomb-aimer was only required to lay down on the bomb run however, in the nose he could also act as a look out for landmarks and report these to the navigator. With electronic aids being used into late 44 and 1945 some bomb-aimers also sat along side the nav to monitor certain equipment, (what exactly I dont know). Here is a link filmed mid 1945 showing such two airmen, It has been suggested to me that the front man is sat on the flight engineers seat but I would suggest that seat would be higher plus, the front man is sat either in front of or slightly behind the equipment . . . Starts around 11 mins Also a photo showing a navigator not sat in a 'chair' but on a bench . . . I know this was not in all aircraft but it was in some . . . . Ian

Something to show after a period of absence . . . The rod bar on which to hang the seat the seat in position, I need to finish the frame then I'll paint it . . . its in the stowed position because I intend to have the flight-engineer stood beside it and how it looks from the outside . . . and because my Lancaster was a late production and I had it first hand from the navigator, the bench seat shared with him and the bomb-aimer more to come Ian

Just re-inserted the photos of the Iconicair David Brown tractor in 32nd scale . . . Ian

Sorry chaps for no updates etc but I've just been working on some drawing plans for buildings that will be heading 'down under' so I will be back on the Lanc pretty soon . . . Ian

Craig Your statement . . ." i am not the worlds greatest modeler " isnt to far short of the truth. I would love to be able to add a fraction of the detail that you have on to any of my kits . . . cracking build I must say Ian

An update . . . . The bomb bay: Part number M17 has THREE viewing windows in the bulkhead but in reality there were only TWO The removal of some 30+ injector pins took some doing but well worth the finish The cockpit floor across the top of the bomb-bay I have yet to start the flight-enginneers seat but I have a sketch from which to start the preliminary build . . . thanks for looking in Ian

The flight-engineers seat provided in the kit is the post-war (PA474) type that hinges up from a bracket whereas a wartime seat was hinged and lifted, being supported by a bracket as seen in the second photo of the version which I am pleased to see that HK have corrected for the 48th The 32nd seat provided for the flight engineer . . . BELOW, the seat provided in HK's 48th which is the correct version for a wartime aircraft and needs to be scratched for the 32nd kit . . . Note the 'triangular' support bracket for the seat . . . Be making a start then . . .. Ian

I made a start on painting a few bits that fit into the rear fuselage so I guess thats a start in the right direction. . . . Looking over the build I think the next item to scratch is the flight engineers 2nd dickie seat so I'll get that sorted, measured up etc and show some progress . . .

I think I may be gettin the urge or some form of mojo back cos I've been thinking about getting back onto the build as research for my other project is slowly coming to a halt as I await further details from another source . . . I shall have to carry out an overview of the status . . . .

Every line is a straight one . . .

Phil A review locate here . . . https://www.themodellingnews.com/2021/04/build-review-pt-i-48th-scale-avro.html#more

Phil I just received a couple of the 48th kits of the HK Lancaster, If I get the chance I can post the sprue shots but before that happens somebody else will have posted a review. Here is a build of the kit which I must say look rather nice but I dont know of any issues, the builder said there were none . . .

That looks to be well detailed but unfortunately for us in the UK when you put together the postal charge and import tax it becomes extortionate . . . Ian

Hi Phil I've been a bit distracted of late. I still have the Lancaster on the work bench but I am currently researching a book concerning WWII airfields. I know that I WANT to start again and have it finished before Xmas . . . rgds Ian

Thanks for sharing, so fortunate that somebody recorded it . . . I echo you thoughts about getting it saved before the tides rip it apart .. . .

I believe a prominent modeller already has but at my build stage, I shall used my modified kit seat . . .

The 32nd resin seat with the Tamiya 48th figure It maybe that the seat will be more suitable for the HK 48th scale Lancaster ???

Apparently the seat is to small for 32nd scale There is a build of an actual Lancaster Nose only section being built in England and the author of the article has provided measurements of an actual Lancaster seat to confirm the size. It seems that the original HK kit seat, despite lacking the fine detail, is in fact, nearer to the actual size . . . .

These arrived yesterday from Jersey USA. Beautifully crafted resin seat for the Lancaster showing quite exquisite fine detail . . . Some CAREFUL trimming from the base will be needed . . . . back as soon as I can Ian

Progress has been slow because I have been doing extra hours at work . . . . The bomb-aimers position down in the front of the aircraft, extra wiring and a modified bombsight framing added . . . I have also been putting together a bomb load and to that end You really should improve the 4000Ib-er by adding an outer skin to create the lip seen at the front end and also to make the 'empty' end better in appearance by adding a circular disc to hid the joint seam and a couple of photos showing the load . . . The painting of the bombs was taken from the film 'Night Bombers' I should be receiving the AM 3D pilots seat any day now as I have received notification that they are with a courier Thanks for looking in Ian