converting the HK Models prototype Lancaster into a Manchester.

[Fidd88]

Very interesting, I'm learning a lot about the (unlamented) "Manchester" from this thread. Keep it up! I'm currently working on extending the jig for my Wimpy, which is hard dirty work, so I've recently been contemplating the Wimpy's undercart...

[ThomasProbert]

Any more progress on this, Cees? I’m missing my Manchester fix. 
 

Tom

[Wingco57]

This build has also received som work in filling the huge craters between the nacelles and the wings with Miliput. Something I was not looking forward to but while filling the Spey Phantom I thought why not. Rigorous sanding to follow. No pics at the moment as there is nothing to see yet.

[ThomasProbert]

Progress is progress, Cees, no matter how small. Glad to hear you’re still at it!

Tom

[Wingco57]

Don't worry Tom, I have crossed the border between failure and success a long time ago as the fuselage, tail and wings have almost been finished and there is a plan how to tackle the nacelles (done that before in 1/48).

Now, if you get some more work done on the Shack, or Stirling, or Sunderland.....

[ThomasProbert]

5 hours ago, Wingco57 said:

Don't worry Tom, I have crossed the border between failure and success a long time ago as the fuselage, tail and wings have almost been finished and there is a plan how to tackle the nacelles (done that before in 1/48).

Now, if you get some more work done on the Shack, or Stirling, or Sunderland.....

That’s good know - it’s a lovely feeling when a model passes the point of no return 

The Shackleton is still ticking along in the background and I’m working on finishing off the engines. Nothing really worth photographing yet but I’ll take some when done. This is the last of the construction work before a marathon scribing session. 

[Wingco57]

Scribing while that beast is in one piece? Mind the overhead lamp (and practically everything that is in a range of 1,5 metres).

[woody37]

Stop talking Cees and post some pictures 

[Wingco57]

Well, what do you know?

Today was a modelling event at our museum. A great opportunity to get some work done to the Manchester.

The basic framework for the Vulture engine cowling slowly emerges.

Loosely fitted to the firewall you get the idea of things to come.

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Those are definitely a different shape compared to the Merlin ones on the Lanc. 

How do you cut such thick plastic sheet so cleanly? 

[FME erk]

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

[Wingco57]

I first lightly score it a few times, then cut away most waste around it and then break the rest of it off with a pair of pliers.

Works very quickly. And if one side is done the opposite side is easier as you just hold the piece of plasticard 

against it and draw around it with pencil and flip it over.

[Wingco57]

Some more work being done. After the basic frame is done I fill in the open spaces with plasticard to save on Miliput and thus weight.

I found a Revell Typhoon (1/32) spinner in my sparesbox. The spinner is a perfect match. Very happy about that, and there is another one in there but strangely no backplate.

Also made the compartment for the radiator flap. Everything will be blended in later. So far so good.

[harv]

Excellent! This is huge.....harv

[Wingco57]

2nd nacelle core underway.

I have a possible option that a resin mould can be made. Plan B is to use them both to fill with Miliput etc.

[Clunkmeister]

Watching this come together over the last few years has been a real treat.  Very scholarly work, as usual, Sir.

[IainMackayDall]

An odd find from facebook on a Lancaster rear turret

"I have managed to confirm what the two pipes are. They were fitted and filled with two roman candles. Two separate colours and fired when a GH Leader crew had a GH malfunction. Usual colour Red or Green"

Lots of images of tail turrets, they all seem to have customised differences

[Wingco57]

Some more work done on the first nacelle. Found a piece of electric insulation pipe with the correct inside diameter. Sections of this will form the radiator intakes. Some more building up of wasted space is needed before the Miliput frenzy can take place.

[IainMackayDall]

On 9/10/2020 at 9:17 PM, IainMackayDall said:

An odd find from facebook on a Lancaster rear turret

"I have managed to confirm what the two pipes are. They were fitted and filled with two roman candles. Two separate colours and fired when a GH Leader crew had a GH malfunction. Usual colour Red or Green"

Lots of images of tail turrets, they all seem to have customised differences

Did many flights remove those rear perspex covers that we expected to be in place? or am I seeing a maintenance shot here?

[chek]

Some gunners removed sections, others the entire panel to faciltate clearer vision of what lurked in the night sky.

[Wingco57]

If the transparencies were not cleaned properly the smudges could cause panic to the gunners thinking they were nightfighters. They called them “Perspex fighters”. Therefore sections of the panels were removed.

in the meantime work continues on the nacelles. To avoid using too much Miliput and keep the weight down most spaces were filled in with scrap plasticard. The second nacelle is also taking shape rapidly.

[Wingco57]

Hmm, not very pleased with this Miliput monstrosity. Looks more like a twinseat toilet. On my previous 1/48 scratch conversion it was no problem but in 1/32 it is difficult to get the basic shape intact while handling this heavy lump. The shape distorts all the time and  you have to be careful where to place the fingers. The lump is also very heavy.

Fingers crossed some rigorous sanding will get a decent result, otherwise plan B will have yo be called in. What that is I don’t  know yet.

[GusMac]

Hope you've got the landing gear good and solid Cees. The weight of those will be a test.

[Wingco57]

No news on the Manchester but when I was working in the museum the other day I walked past the earlier 1/48 conversion I did, see pic.
 

[Rowdy]

On 10/18/2020 at 7:58 PM, Wingco57 said:

No news on the Manchester but when I was working in the museum the other day I walked past the earlier 1/48 conversion I did, see pic.
 

My old work is there as well