A short update that has involved hours of work !!
The fuselage
I completed the black coat, in this case painting over the fuselage windows. At this stage the matt paint rather hides the work done to oil-can the whole thing. But this will reappear as the layers build up. There is still quite some work to do on this.
The wings
Not quite complete yet, but I have arrived at what I think is a reasonable representation of the variation of the exhaust staining on a busy Lancaster. The variation is due to the engine settings and the replacement rate of them. Most engines were set lean to extend the range. This left the whitish deposits above and below the wings. I am not sure that this was cleaned off that often on the longer surviving airframes as there were more important things to do.
I have not yet given it a light sand, which will remove the bits of cloth left on the surface and accentuate the oil canning. Finally it will be dusted over to join the paintwork together.
Another view of the wing showing the staining on the side of the engine. This was masked with a bit of postcard attached with Blu Tac putty. Oil seeped out of all the casings!
The starboard wing is coming on and will benefit from the experience of painting the port one!! The actuators on the elevators have yet to be installed as I would be sure to knock them off!
I have to say that my workspace is extremely tight and this is a huge beast and quite difficult to work on at this stage….as for the photography background I need Elstree Studios to work in lol!
Anyhow it is coming on…
In the meantime I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and a Happy New Year – and for those of you contemplating building one of these, buy a big house!!!
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