ThomasProbert Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 A little more done to the interior over the last few days - I've been concentrating on the Flight Engineer's panel and the bulkhead immediately behind the pilots' seats. Here's the bulkhead and panel before any paint - once again Airscale's instrument bezels came in handy: IMG_0042 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The Milliput sections appear to be a fold-away observer's seat - these will have seatbelts added before the final fitting. A quick spray of matt black followed by more of Airscale's decals and some basic detail painting: S1030251 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr And where it'll fit on the flight deck: S1030252 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Still lots more to make and help me keep busy over the lockdown. Speaking of which, I hope everyone is staying safe and well. All the best, Tom 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 I got a bit bored making cockpit parts so decided to finish off the rear control surfaces. The rudders had been made previously but have now been riveted. The satbilisers were finished off and have both have now been primed with some of Halfords' finest grey - which it turns out you can order online and collect in store... from a safe distance of course! S1030272 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030275 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I still need to add the finer details such as the trim tab actuators, but this'll be done just before paint to avoid breakages. Take care all, Tom 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber_County Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 You’re putting us all to shame Tom, stunning build.......... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 Steady progress again Tom, this is really getting towards the painting stage. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted April 26, 2020 Author Share Posted April 26, 2020 Evening guys and gals, I've been having a go at making the bomb doors of late - my dad built the HK Models Lancaster as a Dambuster so he didn't use the bomb doors from his kit. With the Lancaster and Shackleton sharing the same ancestry, I twisted his arm and he let me have them as a starting point for the Shackleton. The Shackleton is obviously wider than the Lanc so I have had to add some additional plastic to the Lancaster doors (the grey areas in the picture below). The bay was the same length, however, and I was pleased that my bomb bay was exactly the same length as the HK bomb doors - at least I know one part of this model is more or less spot on in terms of accuracy! With the Shackleton doors being wider, I had to remove the Lancaster door end plates and add my own from plastic card: S1030282 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The HK bomb doors have some beautiful surface detail, but sadly this has to go as the outer skins on the Shackleton's bomb doors are quite different, with lots or raised ribbing. I slathered a layer of filler on, and sanded it smooth. This also helped to blend in the new plastic card additions: S1030284 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr A shot of Halfrords' grey primer came next: S1030299 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Pleased with that - a good blank surface to add the surface details. I've been careful to get the sit of the doors correct - on the real aircraft they almost touch the ground at the rear end when open. A test fit reveals they look ok thus far: S1030292 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030296 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I still need to add the internal skinning and linings: S1030297 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Those who have been following this build for a while may wonder why I'm doing full length doors if this is going to be an AEW2. I must confess I'm at a crossroads with this build - I love the AEW2 versions but decals are going to be a real headache. The red serials with white surrounds, squadron badges, all the stencilling, etc. mean it's going to be lot of extra time, not to mention cost, to get it to a standard I'm happy with. Therefore, I'm now considering resorting to my original plan and do this as a MR2 in the grey over white scheme. Much simpler decal-wise and very attractive - although it'll mean scratching a mid-upper turret but I'm more or less settled on a scheme such as below (used for illustrative purposes only): Shackleton MR2 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've not forgotten the flightdeck and have also made the navigator's station which sits immediately behind the pilot - the map is just there for effect but it does add a nice splash of colour: S1030301 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr This was once again made from plastic card, with details added from Airscale's bezels and decals. I'm going to keep plodding on with the flightdeck details, and I may have a go at adding the surface details to the exterior of the bomb doors - we'll see where the mood takes me. Stay safe all, Tom 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubertB Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Whatever you choose in the end, she is going to be a stunner. Hubert 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted May 3, 2020 Author Share Posted May 3, 2020 Some little progress this week - I'm continuing with the interior at a glacial pace, but have got the navigator's and engineer's seats done. A basic structure was made from plastic card and Evergreen, and then some cushions were fashioned from Milliput: Seats by Thomas Probert, on Flickr These were then painted up and some etch seatbelts from the spares box were added, and now the seats sit patiently with the other interior components ready for installation in time: IMG_0087 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr That's about all I'm going to do for the main interior area as very little will be seen when the forward bulkhead is installed. In other news, I've finished off the last shaping of the rear fuselage and have got some primer on it: IMG_0081 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0080 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0078 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0076 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr It's good to see the rear fuselage and tail all one uniform colour and I'm happy with the rear fuselage mods now so this section is ready for scribing. Until next time, Tom 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 Scribing? With that enormous beast in one hand and your scribing tool in the other? Brave man and beware of the overhead lamp (if you have one) as it will certainly will get some bashing. I loved seeing your tailsection, very similar to the later Manchester/Lanc but on steroids. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 I've been doing a bit of research into schemes for this model and have more or less settled on something like the following: (Illustration used for illustrative purposes only) This is WR957 of 228 Squadron, and relatively simple to replicate without any decals being available, this is the sort of finish I'm aiming for. I think the white/medium sea grey scheme suits the Shackleton so well. I'm making some good headway with the pilots' seats so hopefully some more pictures soon. Tom 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GusMac Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 Nice choice Tom. Those are the ones I remember seeing occasionally around here when they were still based at Lossiemouth. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Still plodding on with the making of interior parts... The basics of the pilots' seats is now done (plasticcard and Milliput) - still some additional details to add such as the trim wheels etc. but you get the idea: Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've also made the two control columns - I used the part in the HK Lancaster kit as a guide as they're more or less identical in the Shackleton MR2. An old paperclip, some Tamiya tape and various bits of Evergreen was the order of the day here: Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Hopefully I'll get a splash of paint on these later. Regards to all, Tom 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 goodness me they are nice bits of mini engineering not easy making duplicates - smashing job as usual Tom Peter 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark64 Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 This is always a pleasure to see it unfold. nice work 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 I've now painted the seats and control columns: Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Seatbelts are some left over etch from something or other - not sure what but they're 1/32nd scale and do the job. This gives some idea of the position in the cockpit: Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr And now the pilots' seats and control columns go into the box of tricks with the other interior parts already made ready for proper installation when the time comes: Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Only the throttle boxes and overhead panel to go now. Happy days. Night all, Tom 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 Afternoon folks, The main cockpit section is more or less done. I've made and added the small throttle boxes which are against the cockpit sidewalls on the Shackleton (one for each pilot) and then I gave the interior a spraying of matt black. The centre floor panel in the rear cabin was picked out in a dark reddy-brown, as I'd seen in the Charlwood machine which has a sort of lino flooring. Then it was just a case of some light scuff marks on the floor, and adding the pre-made parts to the correct position in the cabin and flightdeck. S1030334 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030329 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030323 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030311 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030338 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030332 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030330 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The detail and parts I've added will be perfectly adequate for what's going to be seen through the cockpit windows - which is best described as very little: S1030327 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030309 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The next job is to finish off the cabin roof and make the upper pilots' panel, and then I can think about attaching the roof permanently and blend it all in. Happy modelling and stay safe, Tom 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Rock on dude ! Beautiful.......harv 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopwood62 Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Tom, You do amazing work good sir! I have been following this build with much interest and am simply amazed at what you are able to achieve with a few sheets of plasticard and some filler. Your Mk 2 is really looking the part now and you have certainly captured the look of the "old grey lady". My father flew them out of Ballykelly in the 1960's so the Shackleton has always been an important aircraft for me. I vividly remember my teacher having to stop talking as a 3 ship loudly trundled over my school one day. It was a noisy beast with 4 Griffons (x3) growling away! I am in the process of building my own Radio Controlled version at the moment, 1/10th scale with a 147" wingspan and would really like to get in touch with Kev67 (from Page 4), who did all of your 3D printed parts. It would be great if I could get the cowling assembly 3D printed in my size, or at least have access to his CAD models? As you said, it certainly would be a time saver. Many thanks, Kevin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 On 5/27/2020 at 4:03 PM, Hopwood62 said: Tom, You do amazing work good sir! I have been following this build with much interest and am simply amazed at what you are able to achieve with a few sheets of plasticard and some filler. Your Mk 2 is really looking the part now and you have certainly captured the look of the "old grey lady". My father flew them out of Ballykelly in the 1960's so the Shackleton has always been an important aircraft for me. I vividly remember my teacher having to stop talking as a 3 ship loudly trundled over my school one day. It was a noisy beast with 4 Griffons (x3) growling away! I am in the process of building my own Radio Controlled version at the moment, 1/10th scale with a 147" wingspan and would really like to get in touch with Kev67 (from Page 4), who did all of your 3D printed parts. It would be great if I could get the cowling assembly 3D printed in my size, or at least have access to his CAD models? As you said, it certainly would be a time saver. Many thanks, Kevin Hello Kevin, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your Shackleton experiences. Sadly I only have very vague memories of seeing them - I was a young lad at one of the Mildenhall airshows in the early 1990s and recall an AEW2 giving a spirited display but that's about it.... A 1/10th scale beast you say? What's that - comparable in size to a Cessna 152? I'll speak to Kev to see if he can help - he only does the 3D parts as a favour for me and not commercially but there's no harm in asking. I'll let you know if he can help. Anyway, some more Shackleton news... I have been working on getting the cockpit roof attached to the fuselage of late. I spent a fun (not) couple of hours finishing the making of the sills for the transparent parts to sit on when the time comes - Evergreen to the rescue once again: IMG_0191 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr With that done, I made the pilots' overhead panel from some generic bits and bobs from the spares box - not particularly accurate but it's almost impossible to see it once the roof is on - and sprayed the inside of the cockpit roof matt black: IMG_0202 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr A final test-fit then followed to ensure all of the interior fits as it should - which thankfully it did: IMG_0204 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr You can see how little of the interior is actually visible, which is why I haven't really gone to town on the insides. Before finally attaching the roof section I made some more tabs to ensure a strong and secure join, and then masked the windows from the inside to keep dust and future paint out of the flightdeck. I then slathered P-38 automotive filler over the joins and allowed everything to settle for a couple of days before attacking it with the sandpaper. IMG_0207 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr As you can see things have gone reasonably well, but there is a pronounced dip where the cross-hatched area is that'll need more filler. This was due to me not being careful enough when constructing the fuselage but P-38 is the scratch-builder's best friend and it should make light work of this. You can see the 'dip' more clearly when a straight line is superimposed on the pictures: IMG_0209 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr So here's the state of play now - some more filling and sanding over the weekend and then some primer to see how it's all bedded in: IMG_0206 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Until next time, Tom 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 Looking great Tom. How are you going to make the windows with compound curves? It's the clear bits that always stump me on a build! Cheers Neil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 1 hour ago, woody37 said: Looking great Tom. How are you going to make the windows with compound curves? It's the clear bits that always stump me on a build! Cheers Neil Hi Neil, I have had a helping hand from John Wilkes (aka Tigger) and he’s supplied me with a few of his vac 1/32 Lancaster canopies so they will be cut up and added. The fact that the forward curved sections are the same between the Lancaster and Shackleton should make things nice and simple. Famous last words... Tom 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 9 hours ago, ThomasProbert said: Hi Neil, I have had a helping hand from John Wilkes (aka Tigger) and he’s supplied me with a few of his vac 1/32 Lancaster canopies so they will be cut up and added. The fact that the forward curved sections are the same between the Lancaster and Shackleton should make things nice and simple. Famous last words... Tom Great idea. Looking forwards to seeing them on 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted June 7, 2020 Author Share Posted June 7, 2020 Second round of filling/sanding on the cockpit now complete - and a shot of grey primer to check how things look. Pretty happy with that - a few tiny blemishes to sort when the filler is next out, but nothing too drastic. And boy am I glad to see the back of that hideous brown/orange filler primer! Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Not sure what to tackle next - finish off the engine nacelles, make a start on the flaps or possibly even the undercarriage bays. Decisions, decisions. Stay safe all, Tom 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GusMac Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Looking very nice in it's all over grey Tom. The orange was a bit nasty. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted June 7, 2020 Author Share Posted June 7, 2020 5 hours ago, GusMac said: Looking very nice in it's all over grey Tom. The orange was a bit nasty. Indeed it was - but it hid a multitude of sin! Tom 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Fran Posted January 7, 2021 Administrators Share Posted January 7, 2021 This work is epic!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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