We are going Further...

Handmade Control column

My next step concerns, the fuselage frontier floor. I separate it from kit ones, and I built a new one from aluminum sheet, placed on a base of hard aluminum 2mm, to earn weight and stability.

Unfortunately, the bomb bay area exists exactly underneath floor field and it would be very difficult to work on the bomb-bay area having all these small cockpit items over it!!!





My next build were the Pilot's pedals. According to Lancaster manual drawings, i tried to achieve a good result working on an item of 6mm Height!!!





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Next step concerns the completion of the first part of Cokpit by building and placing all the components of pilot levers, navigator and radio operator tables and seats, parking brake, separators, etc.

Here I should say the following ... Eduard and Tamiya, give fixed seats on the floor but its not accurate. The navigator’s seat stands in the "air" with a rotating arm to have flexibility in both traffic movements across the area. According to photo below you can see that my build is functional!



As for the seat of the ... Radio operator things are different... there were not a seat like navigators one as Tamiya and Eduard believe... In fact the radio operator’s seat was a recumbent seat placed onto the separation wall of the first aid rooms, rest (he is among the beams assist wings).





All that remains rest of this area are navigation / radio operator’s devices, radar H2S etc. ..

Next follows the build of instrument panel made by aluminium foil. The whole part of pilot console, levers etc will be sawn later, all together.






At this point I wish to start my next step, by correcting one of the big mistakes on Tamiya's kit. The radio-operator's window is placed in wrong place. 6mm forward...!!!

Pictures bellow, show the movement done to backward...(You check your radio-operator's table before)





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Before going further to fuselage interior build, I decided to work on Bomb-bay's compartment. It is a matter of convenience for me, according to my plans for fuselage.

So..I put away everything, and I began working on this section, from the beginning.

Here I have to recommend Eduard's set (#48565 bomb rack). Excellent. It will solve the big problem of making 12 racks!!!

I made the new floor, by copying Kit's one with plastic sheet. The interior constructor, was made by evergreen, aluminum, copper. Many wires and Hydraulic devices added.









My problem now is the pylons (bomb racks) 12 pieces, 12 copies!!!
I had to find an easy way to build them, without spending to much time for them...The better way for this was the result pictured below. 20 minutes for each one...



I will continue by making the rest 11 pieces...
Here we are... 12 racks together (Dry Fit)



Painting work, will follow, and some extra wiring to add on

Leaving away the bomb bay...I will start building the major interior structure of the giant...

27 frames (1,5 mm wide) were placed towards the fuselage. 344 evergreen pieces cross them...

This is the first structure's Layer on the left fuselage side. Another one (last) will follow next. Right side will be "dressed" at 1/3 because there is no chance to be seen anything...





Here is the Flaps driver witch is placed on the central floor (there are 3 floors, cockpit - central - rear)

Lets see what we have built next...

1. We built the all the rear section from crew entrance to rear gunner.
2. We made a new tail wheel and tyre. I have chosen the flat type according to my stuff as found on Polish Lancs.
3. We built the narrow corridor which connects Bombay floor and Rear section.
4. We placed a driver on roof to attach the Leds later.
5. We attached the new bomb bay and we built the bombardiers area

By all these we are finished with the RIGHT side and her BASIC structure.

Here is the new tail wheel



and some pics a couple hours later...I sprayed all the interior with Mr Surfacer (primer)...and everything transformed to ....the awful Grey color!!!

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Here we are again Habib!
We have started work on the right side of the Lanc's interior. Not so hard work done compared to the left side.









At this pic, we attached the cockpit's floor. As far as you can notice..all the impressive items are OFF. I was forced to do that cause of my wrong calculations. At this point I suggest to finish all the main structure before you start making cockpit's items.



Desperate enough? After many dry fits, trim outs etc, I managed to achieve the suitable apply.

So...We sprayed a couple of coats using Mr Surfacer primer and we stepped forward to basic painting job.
Interior Green and Matt Black.
Everybody knows that all the RAF bombardiers were painted (primer interior RAF gray-green. (Humbrol 78)

Many Lancs were not Green inside...but pure aluminium according to my sources. For safety reasons, I decided to follow up the common logic...and i painted primer Green.
Here is the first coat of painting job. No oils, no drybrush, no weathering Yet.

Here you can see the next steps...I separated my interior work in 5 sections. That will help me to make my schedule without getting confused.

MODELLING AREA -A-

Here we go then...Do you remember the little handmade seat?





At this point I used aftermarket seatbelts (Eduard)...Of course everything else is coming by Kontex workshop!!!!

I managed to finish the handmade instrument panel and console. As far as you can see the the ugly full of wholes aluminum has taken life, by painting it. The instruments are printed and laminated. Sandwich method, and many additions from spares were enough for a nice result. The compass is made by the same tip



The console is reinforced with aluminum. The magnetos are made by thin wire. Many little items added to bring out the desirable result.



Next follows the Left cockpit side. Many details such as wires, switches, devices, etc were added according to black and white pics of the real one (not restored)







Taking advance of dead hours..I made the accurate Pillow of radio operators seat. Notice that the back is not attached on a seat but on the bulkhead.



Thats all for today. Next step concerns the RIGHT side of AREA -A- according to my schedule drawing (see previous posts)

AREA -A- RIGHT SIDE

Let's start with the railing holder for bombardier’s entry area… That does not belong to this update but we made it in dead time. I used copper wire. I gave the accurate shape (correct slopes and configuration as the real). All PE provide this in a flat type and inaccurate shape…



Looking at the right side of main pilot’s cabin we will meet the Stool of co-pilot, engineer’s control panel, the distribution panel and several ACCESSORIES...

STOOL
The Co-pilot’s stool is quite small as you see ... I built it by thin aluminum sheet, copper wires and pins. The hinge at the base ... is very small. (2mm)



ENGINEER’S CONTROL PANEL / DISTRIBUTION PANEL
Under the classic way of sandwich, I printed all the instruments in Laser printer The colored bezels which are in a square shape, I used aluminum stripes (cake can), making holes with Punch n Die set. I cut it in square and I placed them on the Panel. Many switches are made my evergreen and pin heads.
The Distribution panel was made by the same way.



That's the final result.

In the following update we will see the area (AREA-B-) pilots and radio operator section…Unfortunately I’m out of air compressor...I have to send it to Athens to be repaired…So I will be a little bit late, my Habibs…Since then I will start making all the electronic devises of this section in order to be ready for painting only. Lancaster has more devices than the modern E-2 HawkEye!!!

Hi super Guys!

I’m late, I know that, but my air compressor was out of work. I had to order a new one…so I couldn’t continue working area by area according to my schedule. So I decided to work on making all the items for the rest of interior section. 

Lest go then.

IMPROVEMENTS GOODIES

Harness : by Eduard

All the rest: by Kontex prod.

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My work starts by making all the devices of the Lancaster. Too many for a WWII aircraft. For a moment I thought that I was building E-2 Hawkeye.!!!! First was navigator’s and radio operator’s most important devices and tools ... Information in case you build the Lancaster H2S (external is the "egg" that appears at the bottom of the rear fuselage near the door below) should make the H2S devices that are attached on column  beside navigator’s table and behind the pilot's seat.

Next comes Bomb aimer’s area which also has its difficulties…

CAUTION ... If you are gonna make a Lancaster you have to document its type for a F.24 camera in the left section of the fuselage in front of the windows cluster.

There is no aftermarket improvement for Aimer’s bombsight MkXIV. You have to build it by your own.

Finishing the major components of Navigator’s, Radio operators and Bomb aimers areas we step forward to main fuselage items. A large number of necessary additions must be done. 

 

Here you can see the electric circuit for the Merlins operation.

After all I had to visit my bathroom!!!! 

BOMBARDIER'S AREA

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NAVIGATOR & RADIO OPERATOR AREA

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MAIN FUSELAGE AREA

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WARNING
The British wartime HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS were not painted red but left unpainted in Bronze ... Red color fire extinguisher exists on restored aircraft…not wartime’s. Here is the original label for them in case you want to make a decal placard

According to my sources…The lamps of Lancaster’s interior were white to light Yellow…So I decided to place Yellow LEDS…

But…I couldn’t leave my Lanc without a functional radar. Take a look at:

Hi guys,

This is my newest update.



I Know I’m late again…but the making of the turrets was a nightmare for me…Its turret needs a week of hard work.

FRONT TURRET
Unfortunately, the front turret’s detail will be not visible. The thick of the clear part is very fat and there is no opening to show something. Everything is sealed…I suggest to make Vacuumed all the clear parts. It will be a better choice.





ΜID TURRET
The Mid turret will be visible at last. I managed to make him removable, so you can lift it by your hands and see all it details very closely. Pay attention on the spent ammunition bags and gunner’s cradle seat.






REAR TURRET
Rear turret was the most difficult to be built. The clear part was full of props inside and I had to calculate everything very carefully. Hundreds of dryfits were done in purpose to attach the whole structure properly inside the cupola.





That’s the final pics guys. The Brownings barrels come from Quickboost and the seatbelts from Eduard. The framing is done by the same way as I did on my P-40.

Hi Guys,
This is my latest work. I managed to finish the Fuselage. Thin Aluminum sheet was aplied on the plastic. Epoxy glue was used for doing this. Actually by putting some glue on the center of its panel, I did the bubble effect of a huge aircraft's fuselage.

However..the particular work demands Jewel making knowlege and tools. It's not easy and lasts for weeks and its applied panel by panel all around. Pantograph device was used for working the curved sides of the fuselage. 

That’s all for today guys. CU soon! with a huge update concerning Wing Section, flaps, undercarriage, and fuel tanks.

This is my newest update. Actually I have finished Part II concerning the Wings and their components.

WINGS & UNDERCARRIAGE BAY

I began my construction from the landing system. I cut off the Kit’s main support beams (knees) and what is left (shock absorber struts) was painted in black and Aluminum. The Locking rods are painted in red.

You have got 3 choices.
a) Black overall
b) Black and aluminum (by the way I did paint them)
c) Black and aluminum (by the negative way)



At this point I would like to make a comment. The brake hoses are not placed outside of the legs, but internally. In fact there is only one which bifurcates into two tubes from the inside.
The weighted wheels come from Paragon.

Next step concerns the WHEEL WELLS. (undercarriage bay)
Everything there is scratch built. Tamiya provides an empty area, no internal detail, no accuracy. New wing ribs, oil tanks, fire distinguishers, new undercarriage structure.









Here we should say that we had to build the main support beams (green ones). The risk was very obvious cause of the huge weight of the Lanc. These small Knees Must support the heavy fuselage and wings.

Going further, I had to make the new engine nacelles. The old Tamiya’s Kit provides the nacelles with the flame dumpers. The new Kit, provides 2 choices…with or without. So I had to make new nacelles without flame dumpers. I used Quickboost exhausts.



Now, I had to build the fuel tanks. Lancaster’s wings are full of them!!! Made by plastic sheet, wrapped with cast vinyl in case to represent the texture of the fire proof material (red)





At next stage, I built the flaps. No spare time left. I have to catch our exhibition dates. So, there was no any chance to make 60+ frames of the flaps structure. I decided to use aftermarket solution. These come from Eduard. I did improve them more as you can see.





Going next…we meet the Cabin Heater. Everything is built from Zero, according to real pictures and technical drawings. The cabin heater duct at the port hinged leading edge plus the inlet cover, are represented 100% in accuracy.







The ailerons are scratch built. I opened the panel of the dinghy stowage. The boat is made by milliput.

 

This update concerns the Lancaster Power plant. Actually we are gonna try for this…

 

I’m very glad because this is the end of the main construction steps. One more will follow next (not so interesting) concerning the Canopy and H2S radar. 

Looking at the pic bellow, you can see the tragedy!!! Kit’s engine is much smaller compared to an accurate aftermarket engine in 1/48 scale. So I decided to buy Aires one (Merlin Mk22). By cutting and converting some things on it, I made an original Mk.20.

Buying the Aires engine is not enough of course… You are gonna need many additions and major components to be added in purpose of making a correct Merlin’s compartment.  So..

We build them all by our own selves!!! Sometimes, the things are simplest than we can imagine!!  All we have to do is to THINK clever!

What I mean…Ok. I want to build Merlin’s coolant tank. What Can I do?

Take a Me-109 Hasegawa’s wheel…Remove the centre peace and leave the tire only. Cut it in two peaces (two “sausages”)!!! You need only one! Trim it, giving its shape.. and here you are… Better than the original! In 15 minutes only!

By the same way…you can make the Merlin’s huge Oil “RED” tank… Plastic sheet, and some putty are enough!

Next step…Merlin’s radiator… Its simplest than it seems.. Made by plastic sheet, mesh from Cammett Ltd, painted with Alclad Chrome! 

But…where shall we place all these heavy parts??? Oh..We need to build the Merlin;s mounting and Firewall.

  

As soon as we finished all these…everything joins the installations very easily.

The mounting was painted with Acrylic Humbrol 78. Merlin ain body was painted in Gloss Black. By washing him with oils the color get a satin touch. The Oil tank was painted in red.

The SU AVT40 Carburetor was made by two copper tubes joined together in 90 degrees angle. I left it without intakes.

All Merlin’s Components, wiring etc are installed according to my Mechanical engineering knowledge and looking at the hundreds of pictures of the real one.

By the way….I built a Valve train…That makes it more interesting!

 

That’s all for today guys

 

 

 

Thank U for your attention.
Alex.

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