Trumpeter 1:48 Scale, Vickers ‘Wellington’ Mk.1c

Finally calling this one done. Great model, lots of fun to build, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I got the kit at a show up in Poughkeepsie, NY, off a table set up by the sponsoring clubs members. Wasn't to familiar with the 'Wellington', but the price was right, and I thought that, if nothing else, I'd resell it. How ever, I am a builder, so the reselling thing was just a small justification for buying another model... (Don't judge me, we all do that!)

I found the kit to very nicely detailed, and built straight from the box as I did here, builds into a very nice model. Large too. She's a big one, and MUCH bigger than I thought she would be.

Interior detail is very nice. The cockpit and forward areas well represented. This will make the OOB guys and the super detail guys happy because it serves both well. OOB guys will like it because it has a lot of detail, and the detail folks will like it because it gives them a good place to start. Lots of room to work with.

The biggest obstacle, was trying to keep all the various bulkheads and lower turret lined up and close the fuselage. That was a battle. Also, please note, that you can NOT add the forward and rear turrets after the fuselage has been joined. These must go in when the instructions say they do, or else... This will make for some rather creative masking later on. I fully constructed, and masked and painted both turrets, before I installed them. I got rid of the kits MG barrels as they were a shoddy representation to begin with, using a set of Quickboost barrels, which were installed after the kit was finished. They look MUCH better.

Engines are very well done, and it's a shame you can't see more of them. Moving to the wings and tail planes, options are given for posable flight control surfaces. I decided to go with locked, and installed them as such. You can pose them any way you desire. There were no issues with how the wings and tail planes aligned, and the use of putty on them was nil. They went on without a hitch. Biggest seam work was on the fuselage, but it was not horrific, inspite of the 'FUN I had getting the halves to close.

One thing I was not a fan of, are rubber tires. Ugh! Not a fan of the metal gear legs either. However I have to say they are very sturdy, and she is a pretty big, and hefty model, so I have to say I am happy with that. Landing gear must also be installed BEFORE closing the wing halves. Another bit of creative masking will take place there as well... 😉 plus there are eight (8) landing gear doors, and the little rear ones are easily broken. Don't ask...

Finally the bomb bay. Trumpeter gives you the option of either a closed or open bomb bay. they give a one piece cover that represents a closed up ship, OR thirty (30) count em' thirty separate bomb bay doors, with explicit instructions on their order of installation. I went with the open bomb bay, because, after all, 'Wimpy' was a bomber, so why not show her off as such, right? And by the way, I did follow instructions and put the doors on in the order that was recommended.

I used Mr Paint, (MRP) for the topside camo colors of Dark Earth and Dark Green. Tamiya Semi Gloss Black was for the lower parts. Interior was painted using Tamiya Flat Black, and detailed with Model Master Enamels.

Masking the camo was done using 'Silly Putty', and the were no adverse reactions from the paint. I had read, that sometimes 'Silly Putty' will react with some brands of paint. As a safety, I would test it first on a old junk kit to make sure it won't damage your model. Better safe than angry.

Marking were by Extracal, and were for a 'Wellington' from No 214 Squadron, based at RAF Stradishall. It was flown by Sgt. Geoffry Cole (DFC) on 7 November, 1940, for a raid against the Krupp Steel Works at Essen, Germany. Sgt Cole, would rise through the ranks, to become Wing Commander, and the nose art on his 'Wimpy' was cut from the aircraft, and hangs in his study.

Weathering was the usual, thinned oils and pastels. Added the stretched sprue antenne aerial, and the aforementioned Quickboost barrels and she is FINI!

Thanks for reading this loooong narrative, and a very Happy and Health New Year to everyone!

12 additional images. Click to enlarge.