1/48 Tamiya Lancaster

by Randy Lutz

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This is the original release of the Tamiya Lancaster B. Mk. I/III and has been upgraded with Belcher Bits wheels, 4,000 lb. cookie and the new Belcher Bits resin engine cowls.   

The model was re-scribed and the cockpit interior and gun turrets have been updated with scratch built details. The paint is Xtracolor and all markings are from the Albatros Sexy Lanc sheet, except for the squadron codes which were painted on, as the Albatros code letters have the wrong shape and colour. Please excuse the dust, as I forgot to dust off the model before taking the photos.

Click on image below to see larger image

Click on images below to see larger images

The model represents Picadilly Princess, a Lancaster B. Mk. I flown by Flying Officer H. Cowan of No. 424 "Tiger" Squadron, RCAF while based at Skipton-on-Swale England during March of 1945. A complete build/review article will be appearing in an upcoming issue of SAMI. 


 Cockpit
 - all seat belts added using photo-etched belts
 - new instrument panel and flight engineer's panel made from sheet styrene
 - oxygen containers installed behind pilot's seat
 - cockpit handrail made from styrene rod
 - portable oxygen bottle added to bombardier's station
 - bombardier's kneeling pad added
- trim wheel added to pilot's seat
 - leather crash pad added to lip of rear cockpit deck

Click on images below to see larger images

 

 Fuselage
 - all raised panel lines re-scribed
 - tie-down tabs added to rear underside
 - formation lights added to rear underside
 - antenna wire made from stretched sprue
 - inspection windows added to rear bomb bay bulkhead
 - H2S antenna dish installed in radome
 - extra details added to all gun turrets
 - all gun barrels drilled out
 - whip antennae added
 - windscreen washer nozzles drilled out
 - bomb mounts modified to allow bombs to sit at proper height
 - inaccurate Tamiya 4,000 lb cookie replaced with Belcher Bits 4,000 lb cookie

Click on images below to see larger images

  Wings
 - all raised panel lines re-scribed
 - landing light replaced with MV products lens
 - auxiliary supply air storage containers added to each wheel well
 - fuel tanks added inboard of wheel wells
 - engine cowls replaced with Belcher Bits resin cowls
 - carburator air intake ice guard screens replaced with metal  screening
 - cabin air intakes opened
 - formation lights modified to late model style and bulbs added to navigation lights
 - kit wheels replaced with Belcher Bits smooth tread wheels

Click on images below to see larger images

  Paint and Decals
 - model painted with Xtracolor X1 Dark Green, X2 Dark Earth and Model Master Gloss Black 
 - squadron codes are painted on
 - all other markings are from the Albatros Sexy Lancs sheet
 - model is weathered with chalk pastels

Randy


 
References
 - Lancaster Data File. SAMI Publications
 - Lancaster, RAF Heavy Bomber
 - Great Book of World War Airplanes
 - Aircam No. 12, Avro Lancaster
 - Aerodata International No. 10, Avro Lancaster
 - Scale Aircraft Modelling Vol. 4, No. 4
 - RCAF Lancaster Mk. X Parts Manual
 - Photos of actual Lancaster on display in the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa

Photos and text © by Randy Lutz