Next stage of the interior
I have wired up most of the parts that need wiring directly, mostly those parts clearly visible through the canopy. I have also made up some wiring looms to busy up the interior when the fuselage sides are added.
This is the base of the cockpit. I have not done a lot to this, save some wiring. The radio operator’s seat – I put a bit of stretched sprue around the edge to give it more of a stitched leather feel.
The brake comes as a solid piece of plastic, so, to give it a bit more life I drilled it out and inserted a “spring” so it looks as though it could be operated.
The next part is the radio operator and navigators’ desks. They have radio and some of the D/F equipment installed. I have not cemented any of the parts as yet as I want to work out where best the wiring goes. There is a bit of weathering on the desk surfaces and I will reduce some target maps to put on the navigator’s desk!
Seat and instrument panel lined up. I added a bit of epoxy to the end of the throttle and other levers to bulk them up a bit. Airscale’s panel is excellent – you just have to pay attention to the decals which are very thin. I have wired the H2S boxes but can’t install them until everything is fixed in place.
View from the other side. Not much will be seen below the navigator’s desk once the fuselage is in position.
To finish this I have to cement the bomb rack to the base of the cockpit assembly, tidy up and retouch the weathering and paintwork and place the “hundreds of feet” of wiring to the fuselage side!!
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