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If you can add an object that allows us to have a size reference ... it will be big size !!
Saludos con aprecio amigo!
Luis Carlos
I really appreciate your clips Garry very helpful in my build, I up to issue 69 and the fiddly bits are driving me mad I use watchmakers glasses to get some parts together and still get it wrong. However still enjoyable overall. As mentioned before I have a kit and a half so have some spare parts available if its of any help to anyone, sorry both the rear gunner turrets are broken. I will post some photos soon.Welcome to the forum Pete. I hope you find some help for your build from all the generous contributions to the thread from our forum members and hopefully you'll find some answers to questions you may have, as you progress. Always interested to see progress on another Lanc build and I'm sure that, with your experience of large ship builds, the skills involved there should transfer nicely to this project. Thanks Andy for posting the graphics of the emergency air bottles and thanks again everybody for your continuing contributions to this thread.
I've made a little progress since my last post but, as I decided to fill and sand the rear fuselage before progressing (The right decision!), that took a up a fair bit of my time. The next major part of the build was to join the rear fuselage to the over wing section containing the rest bunk.
Here are the two sections in question.
Although, out of build sequence, I had decided that it would be better to attach the crew cabin to the front of the centre section first, as it seemed that this would be easier do first. Again, the right decision, I think.
The problem here was again the lack of registration points to connect the two sections shown. The instructions just call for a butt join between the two bulkheads using contact adhesive. I knew this wasn't going to work but decided to try it anyway. The problem is that the forward section is very heavy indeed. Even without the two inner engines attached, the two-section front weighs 475g, that's over 1lb. Despite the undercarriage taking some of the strain, I still felt that it wouldn't be strong enough to hold and I was proved right, when after 24 hours curing, it sagged when I took away the Lego jigs I had made to support the sections. So to plan B.
The only way I could think of to support it was to use brass pins that I didn't want to be visible in the exposed interior. I carefully measured the positions for the pins and receiving holes on both bulkheads, A,B,C & D. Three of the pins had to be short so that they didn't protrude fully through the bulkheads but I was lucky with pin D that could be longer as it is concealed under the rest bunk. My main concern was that my measurements mightn't be accurate and I would find it didn't match up properly. But after a test fit it matched perfectly and this time, cyanoacrylate was used to cement it firmly in position, at the correct angle. Of course, I totally forgot to take a photo of the pins, hence the graphic.
At last the Lancaster is able to support itself on its undercarriage.
Before I stuck it together though, I took a couple of shots looking forward as this view is unavailable now that the fuselage sections are completed.
And although I posted this recently, here again is the view looking towards the rear from the rest bunk.
Now a couple of angles of his section nearly completed. There will be a bit more filling and sanding between the new sections.
The dorsal turret fairing has been attached but needs blending into the fuselage with some filler. And I would like to draw Tim and Pete's attention to the Lower longeron 'A'. You may already have spotted this but the instructions neglect to inform you to continue it on from the wing trailing edge to the fuselage join under the dorsal turret. (Or if they do, I've missed it so far).
Finally, for this post, a shot of the underside showing the complete length of the bomb bay. It's a bit dark in there and still needs all the plumbing to be added to the side walls – not to mention the bombs. This is literally going to be a 'Heavy' when it's finished!!
I also cut an exit slot 'A' for the flare chute opposite the crew door. This is based on the one on S-Sugar at Hendon.
The only section needed now to complete the fuselage is the nose. Although most of the interior for this is done, the exterior and escape door need to be completed and that's a few issues into the future.
Most of the next tranche of work is on the wings, which I've started on. I'll keep you updated as I progress but am away for our main summer break in about a week's time. If I get anything substantial done between now and then I'll post before I go.
Cheers,
Gerry