Thanks guys for the information about the solder wire. I experimented with the small roll that came with the soldering iron. I can see how it holds its shape when bent, and matches angles much easier. The wires I've been using have a natural 'spring' to them which makes holding them to the angles harder. The roll I have is 1.5mm, so a little thick for what I want, but the 'Plus Model' range seems ideal. I think I need to order some.
And thanks Don (Dxtopher) for the kind offer and welcome to the thread. I checked out your link and there seems to be a load of useful stuff there which I can refer to. I need to go back and study them in more detail, but the more refs I have, the better.
I've been ploughing on, using what materials I have to hand, and have the starboard wheelwell detailing finished. I found it very frustrating at times, as I seemed to be knocking off as many bits as I was adding. It was also very time consuming and I found I could only concentrate for short spells before I got annoyed with the light levels or my slow progress. I've started on the port well, but I'm thinking it might be better to leave it for a while and build some other area that isn't as tricky to give myself a break. I also need to decide what I'm going to do to the main oleos, before I can add them and complete the undercarriage.
The detailing is based on a combination of Andy's photos (page 24) and refs I found in The SAM Modellers' Guide to the Lancaster. I hope you agree that it gives a suitable busy feel to the wells. The photos are the best I could get with my equipment but it was tricky picking out the black-on-black detail.
The first is an overall view of the starboard well with the rear undercarriage braces in place. These tended to get in the way of the c/u photographs. The piston legs for these were lubricated with a light grease before fitting and are fully expandable as the gear opens.
(A) are the ends of some of the plumbing which may be continued into the outer wing, later.
I've posted 3 angles of the front of the well to try to show the detailing as best as possible.
And now 3 shots of the rear bulkhead...
That's progress to date. I'm away for a couple of weeks (again!) but will post some more as soon as I have made some progress.
Sláinte,
Gerry