Avro Lancaster Mk.II

October 4, 2023 · in Aviation · · 24 · 582
This article is part of a series:
  1. Short Stirling Mk.I
  2. Avro Lancaster Mk.II

Last of the trilogy of four-engine British bombers from me.

A B.II, “Fanny Ferkin II”, JI-F, of 514 Squadron, serial no. DS842, sits quietly in the late-afternoon light before being prepared for another raid.

Intended as an insurance against possible Merlin engine supply interruptions, Armstrong-Whitworth constructed 300 examples of the Bristol Hercules-powered Lancaster .

A distinctive feature from the Merlin-powered planes, was the absence of exhaust staining on the nacelles, and on the upper surfaces of the wings.

In this scene is shown, apart from last minute maintenance, the preparation to load a Cookie, a 4,000 lb (1.780kg) High-Capacity Mark I bomb. After that they would wait for 6 x 1,000lb G.P., & 2 x 500lb M.C., or some incendiary bombs in packages (e.g. 136 x 30lb Incendiaries. & 720 x 4lb Incendiaries)., depending on the target.

If you zoom up a bit, you will se that the words: ”With love from the RAF” has been painted on the cookie.

Airfix new-tooling Lancaster B.II, parts from Airfix RAF Bomber re-supply set, a Bedford from Airfix RAF Vehicle Set and some figures from Preiser “Pilots, Ground Crew, US Army Air Force” disguised as Englishmen (and -woman).

This Lancaster was a joy to build. Everything fits together like a hand in a glove. You hardly even need glue in many places. Paint is Humbrol on top (102 green and 29 brown, and the “black” is LifeColor “worn Black”. All hand painted.
Early Mk.II's had RMD 2A, “Special Night” applied on the lower wings and fuselage, but it weathered very badly, and it was soon replaced by the more semi-matt and much better wearing DTD 308 “Smooth Night”.
I've made a couple of images in B/W to set the mood.

Unfortunately for the rest of us, the UK decided to leave the EEC, which meant that it has become very expensive to buy e.g. books from England, and many good books about the war or machines of the war are as good as impossible to buy from e.g. Denmark. The price will be at least doubled with customs, VAT in our country and a handling fee. Very sad.

Reader reactions:
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6 additional images. Click to enlarge.


24 responses

  1. Another beauty!

  2. Well done. Diorama captures how busy things were before a mission.

  3. Keld...Compliments on your fine build & finish on this large 1/72 model. Wonderful diorama, reflecting expanded modeling expertise.

  4. This build and the diorama setting is amazing!

  5. A fine looking Lancaster, Keld @keldkh
    The diorama looks very realistic and shows how big those bombers were.

  6. Fantastic Lancaster and ditto diorama, Keld!

  7. Very different to the original Airfix issue I vaguely remember building in the 1950s.

  8. Excellent work, Keld. I have one of these waiting in the stash for me. Thanks for the motivation!

  9. Nicely done Keld, a different looking Lanc'

  10. Great work on the model and diorama - it tells a story!

  11. Very nice build and diorama - well done!

  12. Beautiful job mate, really nice and shows what can be done in smaller scales. Love it. We need a decent Halifax now!

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