I have completed the “oil canning” on all the main surfaces now. Whew! That was taking on more than I contemplated!
The upper wings are not displaying such pronounced stress as the fuselage sides, the undercarriage will be down and the wings not under load.
I have placed the canopy in position in this pic. The blisters on the side are pigs to install without leaving glue smears. The problem is placing them accurately so you don’t have to slide them into position. After a number of attempts, using epoxy I have achieved a satisfactory result. Epoxy is the only glue that I could find to give a good bond and is easy to clean up if mistakes are made. Don’t use superglue as it will fog the clears.
Any of the plastic cements will dig into the surface and leave uncorrectable damage to the surface.
I can’t think why they didn’t mould these into the canopies as they don’t have the feeling of being hollow when they are stuck onto the side window.
I will have to rearrange my “studio” to accommodate this giant!
The wing tips seem to need a bit of care in attachment as they do not seem to match up without a step. I suspect that this will be helped by assembling the other parts of the wing before attaching these.
I am now clear to start putting together all the main parts of the machine. I am only going to detail the parts that show from now on. I am not showing the engines, and, as the windows in the rear fuselage are painted over in the aircraft I am depicting, I shall not detail this at all.
My main aim is the paint job and I am looking forward to getting to this stage.
The only other areas to stress or show damage caused by usage are the engine nacelles and the bomb doors.
Stuart Mackay says
Sir, I admire your dedication with the oil canning which will surely take such an outstanding model to another Level!
I could, quite easily run out of superlatives for the work that you have done so far!
Truly amazing, and I can hardly wait for each installment of this epic build!
Max Williams says
You’ve made a wonderful job of the oil canning effect Julian, it should look most realistic under a coat of paint.
RossPaton Paton says
Amazing. You tempted to put the transparent side on it?
Julian Seddon says
Hi everyone ! Thanks for the comments. When I started this I was only thinking in terms of the of the fuselage and wings. But as I looked at more and more references I realized that the stress to the aircraft included everything !! The engine nacelles, u/carriage doors,bomb doors etc. this has all taken much longer than I had anticipated.
I am only finishing up what can be seen.
In answer to you Ross two reasons for not using that transparent sides
a. I have only finished the cockpit everything else internally is not touched. The a/c I am modelling P – OS has all the side windows (barring the radio ops) painted over
b. The would have negated the work on stressing the airframe !
Julian Seddon says
some how in (b) above I have missed out the “transparent sides would have negated ” sorry !!!
Michael Chilestone says
There’s some amazing work there Julian; you have more patience than I do!
I assume the site header on the home page is this model as well? I was particularly struck by the weathering on the bombs: they really look as if they’ve spent a few weeks sitting outside on the bomb dump.
Chapeau!
Julian Seddon says
Thanks Michael, yes the header is the same model.
I tried to make the aircraft look as though it has been sitting next to the bombs for a similar time !!
JS
Christopher Woolford says
In 1967 or early ’68 a noted historian, Professor Alan J.P. Taylor, told me that historians are not custodians of the truth. He said historians make interpretations of verifiable facts. The truth, he said can only be told by creative artists. To illustrate his point, he told me to read Len Deighton’s ‘Bomber’. I did and I will never forget it. The bomb bay of your model is likewise chillingly memorable. Well done.
Julian Seddon says
Thank you Christopher. I must say that the word “chillingly” hadn’t occurred to me, but now, bearing in mind what it represents, the contents of the bomb bay of a Lancaster was chillingly fearful to those on the receiving end of it.
Your quote was well extracted !!
JS
Bruce Anders says
An absolutely fantastic build of the model Julian. It has been a joy to watch it’s progress. I sold mine upon the news HKM would be releasing a 48 version. Your build almost makes me regret it
Julian Seddon says
Hi Bruce, I wouldn’t regret it too much !! This was a grind in many ways as, at first, I had no real concept of the amount of oil canning I was faced with. Almost every part of the air frame showed signs of wear, right down to the fasteners on the engine covers !
Looking back it was worth it but it took some resolve to continue from time to time !!
I am sure that HKM will release a very good 1/48th scale version although I have not, as yet, heard about it
Thanks for your comment !
JS