Dambuster Lancaster Bomber Altitude Aldis lamps

• Dec 14, 2019

• #1

S

Stevie

Recruit

1

1

Dec 14, 2019

Emmaus, PA, USA

Hi, we are putting together a 1:72 Revell model, and are hoping to add 2 working led lamps to the plane underside to demonstrate the concept of how they flew accurately at low altitude during the raid. Has anyone ever done this before ? I have been trying to find some mini flashlights, but none are really small enough. ie too large a diameter.
Thanks
Steve

 

• Dec 14, 2019

• #2

fubar57

General

33,044

19,629

Nov 22, 2009

The Jungles of Canada

Not lights per se but a novel approach that you may be able to work with...

1/72 Revell Avro Lancaster - Dambuster by Jaroslav Král​

 

• Dec 14, 2019

• #3

Airframes

Benevolens Magister

62,781

12,169

Aug 24, 2008

Cheshire, UK

"Grain of wheat" bulbs, fibre optic lighting, mini LED's etc, of the type used in model railways and doll's houses etc.
Look up miniature lighting and you should find something suitable.
Note that the rear lamp was located in the clear section of the redundant ventral gun hatch (the gun was not fitted), and not in the rear of the faired-off bomb bay opening, as stated by some sources. The front lamp was in the strike camera port in the bomb aimer's compartment.

 

• Dec 21, 2019

• #4

B

Barrett

Senior Airman

684

1,143

Feb 9, 2007

Western United States

Sidebar: Rather than the theater (theatre!) lights shown as the inspiration in the 1955 movie, the concept originated with a chap at Ministry of A/C Production, and I'd guess the design was done/tested by RAE Wherever.

Spotlights - Low Altitude Flying Modification | 617 Squadron and the Dams Raid | Archive Exhibitions | Research | RAF Museum

 

• Dec 21, 2019

• #5

Airframes

Benevolens Magister

62,781

12,169

Aug 24, 2008

Cheshire, UK

Modified, 6 inch diameter Aldis lamps, the work being done at RAE Farnborough.
The GA drawing shown in the link above is an initial drawing from AVRO, Woodford. The actual location of the rear lamp on the Type 464 Provisioning was in the clear, reaer section of the ventral gun / escape hatch, the gun being deleted as it was of little use at low altitude.