Tamiya 1:48 Lancaster

[Ancientmariner]

Made some reasonable progress this weekend. Decided to complete bomb bay before installing it. After removing studs for bombs to go on I then had to cut back around the frames to get a better look so round bits can't be seen.

Bomb racks have come out ok, though I left some detail off them.
Will fit into aircraft and then paint once it is all in place.

Also included a completed bomb though I doubt I shall use these.

[Jack L]

So a quick update.

Received the PE retailing kits today. Having never used one before this was an experience. Watched a bit of YouTube and cracked on starting with bomb bay which was ok but I found my tools to be lacking a lot as parts are so fine. Need better tweezers and also super glue with a much much finer applicator.

Have removed all bomb lugs on original cast, put in 6 side pieces, bottom plate and will do wiring tomorrow. Not amazing but I'm reasonably happy for a first attempt. Couldn't have done it with my modellers magnifying glasses!

Thanks for all your positive comments by the way, makes it feel worth while after the occasional disasters I have!

That is a lot of extra bling. My biggest lesson with PE was not to use the glue applicator...use a cocktail stick or similar. I pop a drop of CA into an old contact lens case, and insert a staple into a drilled out but of sprue. Gives me something to hold with a fine tip so I don't get glue everywhere. Bomb racks look great though!

[stona]

Need better tweezers and also super glue with a much much finer applicator.

I use an old sewing needle, but not the sharp end!

Cut the top off the eye, leaving a U shape. Stick the sharp end in to a cork or anything else suitable which you can safely hold without impaling yourself. You will find that the U will hold a little drop of CA, perfect for photo-etch and other fiddly bits.

Don't let the glue set in your new applicator! I just wipe it clean and rarely have an issue.

Cheers

Steve

[Ancientmariner]

Thanks for all your tips, I shall certainly be trying them out. I was a little trial and error with what has been done so far and used a thin applicator nozzle from Roket glues though I am now using 30G needles which seem ok. I have had to use a fair bit of glue as the first few racks weren't great though they have got better as I've gone alone and I'm getting used to the PE. I have used the Roket Hot extra thin glue and this seems pretty good actually.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Looks like a great kit. Those pre painted canopies are going to save you a whole load of grief. Good luck with the rest of the build.

[Ancientmariner]

So after a while I have managed a little more of the cockpit and pilots seat.
For the first time I have reached a point where I am going to miss bits out, namely some of the levers for the throttles as these are so small I am struggling to handle them even with tweezers and my magnifying glasses on. I have got one on but lost two and will make a final decision tomorrow.

Anyway completed pilots seat and control column. Decided to spray with Tamiya undercoat which was a poor choice for something of such done detail, though I have just about got away with it.

The map compartments I made with my new PE bender from the shop which has performed fantastically and makes a huge difference for such small straight edges.

[Tim Marlow]

Just had a read through on this James. Some good work on an iconic bird here. Looking forward to the rest of this.

[Ancientmariner]

Wasn't meaning to post today but gave cockpit and main base another undercoat with new Iwata airbrush, unbelievable the difference between this and my old 20 quid airbrush!! Just love it, although my spray booth isn't much cop.

Will photograph underside of bomb bay tomorrow when dry.

Also included a pic of my latest "workshop" purchase, a 2 litre chill beer pump to keep motivation high on those hot days.

[Ancientmariner]

So thought I'd tackle some more PE sections today and working on wat I think is Nav/RO station. Lot of PE parts here to replace plastic bits, with the only original kit part remaining being the table itself below the new brass table top.
I have decided with the PE that though my ability seems to be improving some parts are just so small I am going to leave them off as they are inside and will not be visible.
Also the PE bender I bought from the shop was well worth the money and has made a massive difference.
Have also been experimenting with different viscosity glues with some reasonable results.
Planning to try and complete the interior this weekend as I was to get some painting done. Reading a good build blog I found the chap who did it recommended not using the PE for the turrets as he said he felt that you could see enough of it once built for it to be worth while.

Photos of the bits from this morning attached.

[Defiant911]

watching with interest. I have the exact same model to do. It’s my favourite WW2 aircraft and was what kicked of my return to model making after a 30 break. However, I decided to gain more experience on some other models first before completing my ultimate model. ive only bought a few of the Eduard parts so far so watching you put yours together might encourage me to add further detail to mine when I eventually start . Congrats on what you have done so far, looking great.

[Ancientmariner]

Inside forward right side of the fuselage has been completed with PE, instrument panels masked ready for spraying. Going to fully respray as I'm really not happy with the original paint job anyway.

[Jim R]

Hi James
Fine progress on this iconic plane. It will certainly build into a big model. Interesting masking technique - something to try. I think with PE the secret is to study carefully as quite often the PE is not an improvement over the kit part. Also some PE parts are so tiny they are just not worth the effort. I rarely use much more than 50% of whats on the fret. To apply CA glue I use a needle like Steve suggested or a piece of fine wire. To clean the applicator just run it through a flame. Someone told me that when CA burns it gives off cyanide gas but it must be in miniscule amounts because I've been doing this for years and I'm still here :tongue-out3:
Keep up the great work.
Jim

[Ancientmariner]

Thanks for all the positive comments all.

I have adapted to working with PE and feel I'm becoming a little more competent. I find the 31G needle very effective for application though this doesn't work with medium or thick compound glues.

Spent today completing the interior fuselage which I have used almost all parts for with the exception of some knobs and dials as these were so small I didn't feel they added much. However I do feel the interior added massively to this kit as the interior was very basic.
I have resprayed all with Matt black primer and am now pondering exactly where to draw the line between black and cockpit green. Also I am pondering whether to apply this across the floor and bulkheads and just the bulkheads.
I fitted the detailing control panels and then masked them as I found there is a slim line of brass visible down the edge of the panels once fitted so hopefully this has taken that out. Anyway photos attached along with seat which I've sprayed top of flat yellow and just masked before spraying olive drab.

[Ancientmariner]

For a last post for sometime before I get a have to build.
Just dry fitted fuselage, dry brushed and washed forward section and seat area. Have decided I will be black till aft of the nav station to make it easier. Pilots seat still needs cushions fitting and painting and seatbelts along with other seats.
Have found the PE is excellent but have some touching up to do as even two primes followed by paint it chips easily. A lesson learned but I should have varnished before attempting a dry fit. Impatience cost me. Anyway will touch up by hand and area around bottom of control column where glue line is visible.

[Jack L]

Looking good. Something I would love to build when I have the space