chuck540z3 Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 (edited) Hi guys, After about 6 months of work, I’ve finally finished a Lancaster build for my uncle, who was a Bomb-Aimer on a Lancaster in the early part of 1945. He along with his crew flew 29 “Ops†without being shot down or captured, which is quite a feat, especially for RAF Squadron 101 in which he flew. Squadron 101 had more sorties over Germany than any other squadron and suffered more casualties than any other squadron. This squadron alone lost 145 Lancasters and had 1,176 killed in action. The mortality rate of Bomber Command overall was a staggering 55%. I documented this build in the “In Progress†forum, where I tried to demonstrate many changes to the Tamiya kit as well as salt weathering, which I love to do to create a realistic weathered look. You can find this build thread here: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....howtopic=205003 Most of the modern photographs of Lancasters that you see today are of restored birds with new and altered paint jobs, so I purchased many Lancaster books to see what the war time details and weathering patterns were. I think that I got most build and weathering details right, but in hindsight there are many things I would have done differently. Maybe next time! The parts used are the latest Tamiya 61105 kit, a couple of Eduard photo-etch detail kits and Belcher Bits engines. I used MM enamel and Alclad paints exclusively. Now for a few pics, but first I’ll post a pic of my uncle (far right) and his flight crew…. I spent quite a bit of time researching what the code letters and serial number was for my uncle’s Lancaster and, with the help of the Lancaster-Archive Forum and my uncle’s log book, found out that it was SR-V2 and ME419 respectively. My uncle requested that some nose art he had taken a picture of during the war be included, so I altered the code to “SR-V†to match this art which was made from scratch. Unfortunately I found out the hard way that home made decals of light lettering on a dark background do not work very well, so I changed the lettering to white to make sure it would be legible. Since no build is perfect, I wasn’t going to worry about some minor details as long as I still captured the “spirit†of my uncle’s Lanc. Here, in all her war weary glory, is “Virgin Vickieâ€. You can view all 34 pics here: http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/ch...20Pics/?start=0 Note the "Window Chute", just ahead of the bomb bay doors near the bottom. "Window" was aluminum foil thrown out to disrupt German radar, so I guess it was the first chaff dispenser! My uncle recalls throwing it out of the bomb-aimer position, so I had to include it... Edited September 13, 2010 by chuck540z3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted August 25, 2010 Author Share Posted August 25, 2010 (edited) A few more pics. Edited August 28, 2010 by chuck540z3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
POMPEO Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Perfect, love the weathering, congratulations Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Well this is a perfect opportunity to use the jaw dropping emoticon! Absolutely superb Chuck. That is the best looking Lancaster model I have ever seen. A great tribute build too. Congrats! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Looks just as nice here as in the 'In-Progress Pics'. Beautiful! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Hi Chuck, Your Uncles' Lanc turned out beautifully. :wub: I think you've achieved a suitably war weary look and the little detail enhancements along the way certainly add to the overall spectacle of the build. Superb! :( The photos with the black back ground look very professional. If however you should ever experiment with different coloured (white, light grey or light blue for example) back drops I'd love to see those results too. Congrats on getting to the finish line in such style. I look forward eagerly to your next endeavour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 (edited) http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/ch...20Pics/?start=0 chuck540z3... I LOVE these two photos of yours { THESE stand out to ME} ...Taken SO beautifully and what a wonderful way to show your appreciation and admiration for your Uncle Will by building this AMAZING LANCASTER.I quite like the Plaque too...NICE! :blink: I think you should BE VERY PROUD that you have managed to capture the beauty as well its detailing... JUST AWESOME and STUNNING Build... I loved reading the History and the background of the sorties that your Uncle,Flying Officer WILLARD SAWYER,Bomb Aimer was involved in...UNBELIEVABLE! It has been a good thread to follow... thanks again to your Uncle Will and Squadron 101 for their Services... Edited January 8, 2011 by HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Holmes hit the nail on the head. Great work Chuck. Simply stunning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkey Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 What a beast of a build, your uncle should be very pleased with this knock-out! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 (edited) Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments and I can tell you that my uncle is thrilled. So much so, in fact, he wants me to bring the model to his next Canadian Aviation Historical Society meeting and give a talk about Lancs and building one. Yikes! :o The photos with the black back ground look very professional. If however you should ever experiment with different coloured (white, light grey or light blue for example) back drops I'd love to see those results too. B) Thanks Guy. On the photography front, I'm still learning every day about that too. The reason for the black was partly to invoke the theme of a night bomber, which of course the Lanc was almost exclusively. I'm getting better at white balancing to make sure the colors come out correct, but I still have a way to go, as evidenced by the various shades of green which are really the same color. I really should build a photography booth, but with most of my builds being about 2 feet long, it would be huge and I really don't want to store something I use maybe twice a year. I did, however, get a little creative last night night and took a shot of what the Lanc might have looked like from below to a crew member at night with ground lights. They turned out pretty good as follows.... Edited August 26, 2010 by chuck540z3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted August 28, 2010 Author Share Posted August 28, 2010 I LOVE these two photos of yours { THESE stand out to ME} ...Taken SO beautifully and what a wonderful way to show your appreciation and admiration for yourUncle Will by building this AMAZING LANCASTER.I quite like the Plaque too...NICE! :D :o I think you should BE VERY PROUD that you have managed to capture the beauty as well its detailing... JUST AWESOME and STUNNING Build... :wub: I loved reading the History and the background of the sorties that your Uncle,Flying Officer WILLARD SAWYER,Bobmb Aimer was involved in...UNBELIEVABLE! It has been a good thread to follow... thanks again to your Uncle Will and Squadron 101 for their Services...[/size][/font] Well thank you sir. As usual, you are the most supportive dude out there for everyone. On behalf of "everyone", we really appreciate it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beaconroot Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 What else can be said! WOW!!! This is one nice build! You should be very pround of what you have done. All the best to you and your Uncle. Jim Root ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haneto Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Masterpiece!!! The wearthering is just spot on and it's one of the most impressed model work I've ever seen. You should take some pics outdoor and I'm sure it'll look like the real plane. Congratulations! Cheers, Yufei Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Only shout out"WOWOWOWOWOWOW"... It's perfect work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gambler Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Outstanding Chuck! One of the best Lancaster models I have seen.Paintwork and weathering are excellent. Awesome tribute to your Uncle! Jeff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Chester Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 I'm sorry but I can see one big problem with it. Its on the wrong side of the pond so I can't see it in all its glory. That is simply outstanding. It would grace any museum or display. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ian lanc Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Chuck i can make you jealous as you have made me jealous in looking at your beautiful Lanc'... I was at the old RAF Ludford Magna bomber base last week not alot to see but knowing what went off and touching the old runways/peritrack is another feeling i get a sence of loss and love of waiting 'ground crews' to hear of returning merlins and those that didn't return. :) ian. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prop Duster Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Chuck just adding my to all the others. Again thank you for the lessons learned in how to make a good model, great and a to your Uncle for his job, "well done" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anders_Isaksson Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Excellent work all around, Chuck. Not much more to add, other than that I'm deeply impressed with what you have achieved with this build. Cheers, Anders Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill Horton Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 That was a wonderful build, Chuck. I'm quite happy that your Uncle is still here to see it. He must have spent hours looking at it. Good luck with your speech, and remember, if you get nervous try to imagine the entire audience sitting there in their underwear. It might not work, but should be amusing if nothing else.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted September 4, 2010 Author Share Posted September 4, 2010 (edited) Thank you everyone. Compliments from anybody is appreciated, but from expert modelers like yourselves, it's extra special. Edited September 5, 2010 by chuck540z3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MIG17 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I am an artist and THAT is a work of art Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Simply Gorgeous ... :o Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted September 13, 2010 Author Share Posted September 13, 2010 My friend Alex at Hellenic Modelers (http://www.helmo.gr) who is an expert at Photoshopping images, just sent me this pic of my build. Wow! I can actually hear the Merlin engines!..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruiz Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 I really liked this build, nice picture Chuck, thanks for sharing. Regards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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