FME erk

Well it served on American airfields here in England but not with the RAF (not that that will stop people ) but I think its a nice inclusion for a scene . . . https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2021/austin-k2-y-ambulance.html I may be tempted to get one if only to convert to a 30cwt lorry dont tell anybody Ian

Thats dedication for you . . . . when a man wants to put on 400 decals, 400 ? Black gloss can be a killer but you got it licked . . . Turned out really well great effort Kai Ian

Phil I believe the repair depot you mentioned was at Bracebridge Heath, still a couple of the big Belfast truss hangars there in use by a Lincoln haulage company. The windows were taken out on the production line around November 1943 . . . Ian

So, last night I started a major part of the spec for my particular aircraft. All the fuselage windows barring the W/op's needs to be eliminated. I dare say most modellers would put in the kit windows provided and smooth over with some filler ? I prefer to put in pieces of plasti-card and to that end I started to square off the windows to make it that bit easier to put pieces in. 2nd photo shows some measurements . . . That will keep be busy for a couple of nights . . ZZZ zz Ian

Good evening Chaps Another modification that is required is the lowering of the pilots platform. Apart from his seat being to high compared to the window of the cockpit, its also the wrong size so that too will require some modifications. The pilots platform was cut off flat to the cockpit floor and the hole filled with plasti-card. I also cut off the battery pack near to the W/op's seat as I intend to put down a riveted floor, just to make it look better . . . bye for now Ian

Unbelievable work so far Ron . . . . and all from scratch

. . . and thats why we do it Kai I want to spend the time making the alterations cos for me, it will be the ultimate Lancaster kit. I too have spent £'s on after market stuff and if you include the cost of the vehicles to display with the aircraft when it finished . . . Some of the alterations probably are not required cos most members of the public that view it wouldn't appreciate the alterations. I not saying they wouldn't appreciate the size and look of the aircraft cos it is an eye catcher but Us modellers know that some kit dont 'fall together' and only we truly appreciate the workings that go into turning a pigs ear into a silk purse . . . Ian

There are so many small jobs that are required to be done in order to obtain the very best out of the kit. The front turret is quite prominent and one can see into it so to that end, the five Sink marks needed to be filled. I made up a pot of Sprue glue made up of the HK tags removed from the fuselage . . . Another error that I have discovered are the side engine cowlings have a square panel on them. I haven't seen this on any wartime aircraft photos and it isnt clear on postwar aircraft either so I'm not sure where they have come from. Again Sprue glue has been put to use . . . I'll keep looking in the box for some more of the smaller jobs to add to the list

Just a note to say that I have removed the ejector pin marks off the bomb and the undercarriage doors, all 38 of them Also removed the Flare chute exit molding on the starboard side just behind the bomb bay Going to give it a few more days before I start rubbing down Mr. Surfacer off the wings . . . Ian

I'll watch out for that. I must admit the front of the cockpit canopy does look a bit 'pointy' . . .

Carl there are no inner doors and I dont want to run to the expense of a massive PE set that covers the whole of the bomb bay and doors . . . thanks for asking Ian

Kia I did see that when you posted it, I couldnt tell from the above photo if I had seen it. I think its a splendid build and there is much to be admired . . . Quick question: What did you use to glue the cockpit blister onto the canopy ?? Ian

Kia that actual photo is what I have as reference . . . Perhaps I mis-read what you said, as we were talking about early aircraft having the trailing outlet on the starboard side and i thought you were thinking "In the ED-Series at least the 464-Provisionings also had that feature." Anyhow, I'm glad we cleared that up . . . Ian PS Would like to see a photo of your Lancaster build . . ..

Kia I dont think they did so I would be interested in seeing the photo that shows that in position . . . Gibson aircraft certainly had the trailing aerial on the Port side You are right though about finding as many pics as possible of the aircraft you want to model . . . Ian

Kai I do believe it was only on those aircraft with the serial no. starting with the letter 'R' and 'W'. You are right when you say its on the DV range but to which aircraft it changed will probably be never known . . . Ian

Sorry Harv wrong format . . . .# Should be able to see it now

Another item on the 'To Do ' list . . . the removal of 22 ejector pin marks within the bomb bay doors . . . They are a good 12 inches long . . . plenty of space in there Probably get away with using a sanding stick Ian

So, I have had look at the external parts of the kit and TWO obvious errors. There is a second dinghy stowage hatch in the PORT wing and also on the starboard wing, underneath so not so obvious, there is a Second set of landing lights. To eliminate these I have masked and applied some 'Mr. Surfacer'. These will be left for a couple days to cure . . . One other item to be eliminated is the trailing aerial outlet on the starboard side just near to the bomb-bay. I have known about this for some time and none of my previous Lancaster builds carry this . . . Looked also into the bomb bay racks, they are covered with ejector pins marks. I intend to have the bomb doors open so its inevitable that they will need to be removed, SOME have been highlighted . . . I'm back to work tomorrow so more progress reports as I get these things done . . . Ian

You are so right John and you echo the thoughts of many, for the price of the thing there shouldn't be so many errors within the kit . . . Its my goal to put them right as I see fit . . . Ian

Where to start . . . the box comes compact with sprues The comprehensive instruction book containing 44 pages, I will photo each page as I build to point out amendments etc Some of the after-market bits, my choice again to improve the overall appearance. Sadly the aircrafts instrument panel is just a molded representation of the dials, there is no decal to place upon it Just to give you an idea of the size of the fuselage, this is it on my shelf measuring a full 25 inches and excluding the bomb-aimers nose blister Research over many years has resulted in the superb book and the aircraft profile . . . The aircraft was one of two lost from 100 Squadron based at RAF Station Grimsby in Lincolnshire during a sortie to Nuremburg 16/17th March 1945 making it the last aircraft lost flying from the airfield. The crew comprised: Pilot: F/O George Dauphinee RCAF F/Eng: F/Sgt.Mervyn Jefery RAF Nav: F/O Bruce Douglas RCAF - POW B/A: F/O William Vale RCAF W/Op: P/O Roy Bailey RAF - POW Mid-gun: William Harvey RCAF Rear gun: Lyle Bedell RCAF I knew both Bruce and Roy, I have their stories of the night the aircraft fell to the guns of a night-fighter. The aircraft ND644 Its going to be a journey . . . Ian

I have virtually finished this, need to do the PE for the front windows but as I promised myself I would start the HK Lancaster in the new year I present a couple of photos of the vehicle . . . next time you see this, it should be dispensing fuel to the Lancaster . . . Thanks to all who looked in . . . Ian

Jeff It was a Canadian that was the navigator on this aircraft and only one of the two survivors after being shot down by a night-fighter.

Thanks Carl for that. I am watching that and I have already had some info from Pete . . . Ian

There have been numerous photos and reviews of the sprues so unless somebody wants to see specific parts i shall just dive in and start the build, not necessarily in the order of the instructions . . . For me personally, this will be the ultimate Lancaster kit and as such I shall endeavour to produce the best I can. It will be time consuming and no doubt there will be little progress at times but please bear with me . . . I am looking forward to putting the plastic together Ian

I have been wanting to start this for some time but having read and watched only one build through to completion, it seems that its quite an undertaking to complete. Because of the issues I thought that I would build the support vehicles first as I probably wouldn't want to build such vehicles if the Lancaster was going to become a bind. However, having virtually completed the AEC 6 x 6 refuelling bowser it time to start the beast. Other vehicles and equipment built for the diorama . . . I suppose I have had the advantage of hindsight of other builds so I am able to start with the knowledge of what is required. I have attached a list of corrections required of the HK model, a number are personal choice and I dare say to some modeller(s) the kit is acceptable in representing the finest allied heavy bomber. HK Lancaster fault/correction list (in no particular order) Jan. 2021 Cockpit floor removal as to high Pilots seat height and seat base in-correct Pilots armour needs replacing/re-shaping Pilots Control column to short Flt. Eng. Panel, remove, shape and thin down kick panel New flight Eng. seat required Cockpit rail cut back for IP to fit Replacement IP with AM Instrument panel Bomb-aimer bulkhead 7 sink marks Replace navigators seat with a bench -- personal choice Rear bomb bay bulkhead has 3 viewing windows, Should be 2 ASI position Starboard side fuselage to be eliminated Dinghy stowage in port wing, upper wing removal Landing lights in starboard wing beneath removal Wing tip lights Rearmost Wing tip fitment (5 thou- top) Flap detail missing ‘OOO’ top & bottom sections Flaps additional struts needed Propeller blades need turning Cabin heater openings in front wing section of inner wing sections Exhaust covers (shrouds) to large & need re-sizing Engine cowlings need panel lines removing Engine rad bottom cowlings wants opening - personal choice Engine radiator is post-war, needs a wartime type Reshape inner rad vent, square top Undercarriage to high, needs shortening Undercarriage main legs have 'holes' -need filling Ailerons and brackets, ribbed and bracket re-shaping Ejector stubs in one-piece main wing Ejector marks in undercarriage doors Ejector marks in bomb doors Ejector marks in bomb-bay rack To many bomb positions front section of bomb-bay Remove U/C ‘Non-retraction bars’ Rear entry doorstep wrong Front turret fairing top section broken (at point of delivery) Front turret Sink marks x 5 Front/Mid-upper/Rear turret casings (drill outs) Mid-upper turret fairing requires ‘blending’ Rear turret doors absent - fir turret doors Rear turret front Perspex removal – my choice of aircraft Rear turret centre (gunners feet), personal choice Cockpit framing required? Canopy Escape Hatch framing (additional frame removal ?) Main wheel hubs need drilling (Resin type obtained) Tail wheel needs strengthening, personal choice Tail-plane – 2 tops – 2 bottoms split ------------------------------------------ . . . . indicates item resolved 60” fuselage roundel . ‘ 47.5mm’ 102” wing roundel . . . .‘80.75 mm’ My choice of aircraft is the last one lost flying out of RAF Station Grimsby in Lincolnshire . . . more details of this aircraft as I progress Looking forward to getting some plastic together rgds Ian