Hello again,
Just thought I'd better give an interim update lest you think I've given up on the project. Since my last post, I took about four weeks out of the Lancaster build to allow me to make some progress on another build I'm working on, so that slowed progress down somewhat. I said at the start of the year that I'd like to get three subjects completed for our Nationals in September. I now think it'll definitely be one and, hopefully, two.
However, some work on the Lanc has been progressed but it's not the most photogenic. There's still a lot of basic structural construction to be tackled. Most of the work to be done concerns the starboard wings etc – most of which I detailed when I was tackling the port side – so I see no reason to bore you with that detail again. There will be some more interesting bits – the turrets, engines, and bomb bay and I will cover those when I get to them. The temptation is to concentrate on the glamorous bits at the expense of the basics – but these will still have to be faced at some point.
I did another audit of what remains to be completed and there's still about 50 issues that haven't been touched and some work stringing and painting on parts already completed. My strategy is to aim to complete two or three issues per week from now on, depending on their complexity, and paint in batches for efficiency. This will still theoretically give me time to also do some work on my other builds. However, I'm sure life and holidays will also conspire to delay completion.
Here's just a few examples of what I've been doing in the last few weeks.
I grouped these parts together to await painting. Top left is the port inner wing section containing the split flaps. The flap control rod I decided to add but, as the ribs hadn't been pre-drilled, I had to cut and place each section individually. The two punched panels were also added and the lower flap constructed. The idea is that the thin opening rods for the flaps will be added when the lower flap is positioned.
Top right is the port tailfin and rudder skeleton constructed and sanded to an aerodynamic shape. There should be skins for these further along in the build.
Bottom right is the starboard tailplane, which I'm still stringing.
Next is a composite shot of the crew entry door, showing it from the front and back. This, unfortunately, is not designed to be a working door but can be posed open or closed. I'll have it open and moveable, although it's been sanded to fit in the closed position. The handle locking mechanism does however work and it all still awaits painting.
Partial skinning of the port underwing, incorporating the landing lights, was next. The wing skins came in three pieces, two of which I sample painted to see how the final assembly might look, with the landing lights in place. I can see that the joins between the sections are going to be an ongoing problem and will probably need filling in places. This is because the point of contact against stringers is so tiny that a good bond is difficult to achieve along the full length of the section.
And lastly, a closer view of the lights themselves.
That's it for now. I will keep you updated as I make progress but please bear with me as there could be slightly longer gaps as I wait for something interesting enough to post. I'll sign off by welcoming Skinvet to the thread. I'm sure your build will be fine and that my posts will help you avoid some problems, particularly with the instructions, as you progress.If there's any way I can help you or you have any questions relating to any aspect of the build, I'd be delighted to try to help.
Gerry