Ages ago, at the dawn of the internet, I found a site (can't find it now) that would look up aircraft by squadron code. So I looked up my initials ASM. Turns out there were a number of Lancaster bombers in 166 Sqn with that marking. When I saw a Lanc kit with the codes to make "MY" aircraft, I had to get it.
I choose to make NE112 mostly because the wireless operator, D. Pleasence went on to star on stage and screen. Since I haven't found a picture of this aircraft, I'm going to act as pilot and create my own nose art.
I found a cat and a yellow circle decal in the stash. I'm going to pass on creating the correct serial, they are all of 1/32 high.
Well guys, our good friend Terry did me a huge favour in bidding on and winning an Ebay bid for the ultra-rare Koster conversion set that allows one to surgically convert the Revell/Promodeller Do217E kit into a night fighter version (J-1, J-2, or N-1). I had mentioned my interest in this set years ago and somehow Terry remembered it, found it, and has sent it on its way to me. I now hope to enter this project in GB49 but frankly have some doubts that I'll finish it on time as it's a large model and there will be lots of chopping and splicing to make this Frankenstein.
I have found and downloaded 3 books on line and have yet to find any pictures of one of the schemes for which the conversion set provides decals. The scheme, coded +FM of "NJG-1", is shown here:
If anyone has info and/or pictures on this bird that they could share, I'd appreciate seeing it.
Thanks Geo. GR. Morrison 3 years ago in this thread said there are no known pics of this machine. David E. Brown sent me a very grainy photo of an NJG3 bird that I don't think is the same as the one Koster depicts. The rest he sent me are N-2's which the conversion set doesn't support.
Things are going apace now. I should be able to paint the camo on both by the weekend. If things go well I'm looking at this.
Bill's done the cover so I thought I would do Act II....
Couple things before I start. The seat has flare holders at the front. I have a PR.XIX book and though the pic isn't the best, I can't see them, Would it be correct to have them for this version? Airfix calls for the wheel wells to be painted interior green which to me seems odd. I have a photo of the above aircraft and we'll get to that if and when I do this. Not shown in the kit is a whip antenna on the spine. Also, the photo shows the spinner as a light colour, almost Sky. It's definitely not red. I have a bottle of Model Master P.R.U. Blue bought sometime in the last century. This will be my first foray into spraying enamel. I've already warned the missus