Make:
Matchbox kit and Unicraft conversion set
Scale: 1/72
Notes: The Matchbox Kit PK-402 is merged with resin conversion nose/Unicraft set.
History
Here is the prototype high altitude pressurized Wellington Mk V., powered by a Hercules Mk XI engine complete with turbo super chargers and 4-bladed props A fighter type single seat cockpit and a bubble type (offset to port) canopy complete the set. Two more crewmembers are housed in a pressurised cylinder down below to act as navigator and the other crew as recce cameras operator
Wellington Mk VR3298 flew test flights up to 30,000 ft altitude, which proved sufficient to bring to light some unexpected problems with outside temperatures of -40C. At that temperature and height the flying controls and trimmer circuits became virtually unmovable. Special hydraulic fluid had to be developed to permit operation of rear turret and the bomb doors at that extreme temperature. Icing up of pilot's dome canopy was a problem and this was overcome by drying the air, the crew suffering considerable discomfort.
Then came Wellington VI attaining aprox 38,000 ft. and further trouble manifested themselves. This had a 12 foot extension to wing span and reached 40,000 ft with outside temperature being -67C. Sixty-seven high altitude Wellingtons VI were produced and in 1943, sixty of these were scrapped at a maintenance unit.
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Construction
The kit modification involves a Matchbox Wellington bomber kit with the forward part of fuselage removed which is then replaced by a resin completely configured new nose adopted to house a single seat fighter type dome canopy supplied by Unicraft from Ukraine. Although differed from the bomber version no engines came with the resin set and Hercules XI engines that replaced the kit engines (Matchbox kit engines were smaller in diameter and length) came from a Sunderland radial engines which fitted exactly the size required. The triangular shaped fuselage side windows were blanked and longer ones cut further forward instead. The Mk V retained the same wingspan and tail turret. Two sets of turbo super chargers were scratch built and added to engine sides. These were of different shape to the kit ones and built to conform to shape of ones shown on side view drawing provided. The bulbous canopy was offset to port and an instrument panel, control wheel and crew seat and figure was added. The fuel jettison system and discharge pipes that were under wings were also removed for the Mk V version.