Brian's place - Models- Lancaster Dam Buster

Brian's place

Lancaster Dam Buster

HOME : Models : Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster Dam Buster

Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster Dam Buster

This is the first of three versions of this model I have planned, and the first to completion. Well, almost completed! It has been a labour of love for the last 2 years,I don't get heaps of spare time and this is a big kit!

It is a very old kit by Tamiya standards, first appearing in the mid seventies. Generally it is very good, but the cowlings are very poor fits and slightly misshapen. On this model I used the kit ones (but enlarged the radiator intakes), the next one I build will have the "Belcher bits" replacement cowlings.

It builds to an impressive model of an impressive aircraft, I am sure Revell or Trumpeter will release one in this scale when I have finished the third version!

Things that need attention:

Bomb aimer's blister should be the larger "BIII" type on these aircraft
File and fill the engine cowlings - the outer cowlings are smaller in diameter than the prop spinners!
Propellers should be the earlier needle type
Tyres should have no tread

You can get carried away and move the position of the Navigator's window, if you have time! My reply is "Emerson!"*

This model is almost complete as at Feb 2008. Since I started it in early 2005, I guess I am not doing very well! I have the replacement props, spinners, and wheels from Hannants in the UK, so just have to fit them.

*Ralph Waldo Emerson said "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds"

This view shows the amount of filler necessary around the engines. The outer engines' diameter is too small for the spinners and looks odd without correction. I put a thin plastic washer over the end and built the putty up slowly. Seemed to work OK.

I seemed to have a lot of trouble fitting the upper turret blanking plate, maybe I had it upside down? (joke)

There are so many new techniques since I was a kid (and Dinosaurs roamed the earth). Pre-shading is great, if only I could resist putting the top coats on too thickly.

I also like the Blu-tak sausage rolls method for soft camouflage lines. On RAF aircraft the rolls are fairly fine, because the edges were formed by rubber mats at the factory and were reasonably well defined.

Now it's beginning to look like a Lanc!

Still to do: New Props, wheels/tyres, bomb aimer's blister - the masks are still on the side windows, waiting for the first coat of gloss varnish.

Talking of bomb aimer's blister's, this is the replacement from the Falcon vac formed RAF set. Used a circle cutter (very handy craft tool) for the mask, I also have the Paragon one for when I do the B1 Special (the Grand Slam version).

Here it is after the Gloss varnish (actually Johnson's Klear, aka Future), transfers, and Humbrol Matt varnish. The transfers are a combination of the kit ones, and one of the excellent Techmod sets. The kit roundels are too bright and the over wing ones are too small.

Getting there slowly - still, those props and wheels...

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