Avro Lancaster Mk.II
This article is part of a series:
Last of the trilogy of four-engine British bombers from me.
A Lancaster 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 Mk.II.
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 1/72 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.
Another beauty!
Thank you very much, Rob.
Well done. Diorama captures how busy things were before a mission.
Thank you very much, George.
Keld...Compliments on your fine build & finish on this large 1/72 model. Wonderful diorama, reflecting expanded modeling expertise.
Thank you so very much, Bob. Much appreciated.
It was a joy to build.
This build and the diorama setting is amazing!
Thank you so very much, John.
A fine looking Lancaster, Keld @keldkh
The diorama looks very realistic and shows how big those bombers were.
Thank you so very much, John @johnb
Much appreciated.
Fantastic Lancaster and ditto diorama, Keld!
Thank you so very much, Spiros. Much appreciated.
Very different to the original Airfix issue I vaguely remember building in the 1950s.
Thank you, George. You're right, I also build the original issue, in the 60's though, the box art showed it landing with a fire in the outboard port engine.
Excellent work, Keld. I have one of these waiting in the stash for me. Thanks for the motivation!
Thank you very much, John.
You can easily look forward to build yours, it's a treat to build. I'm slowly finishing my Revell Mk.III, and then I have an Airfix Mk.I waiting.
Nicely done Keld, a different looking Lanc'
Thank you very much, Allan. Yes, isn't it.
Great work on the model and diorama - it tells a story!
Thank you so very much, Chas.
Much appreciated.
Very nice build and diorama - well done!
Thank you very much, Greg. Very much appreciated.
Beautiful job mate, really nice and shows what can be done in smaller scales. Love it. We need a decent Halifax now!
Thank you so much, Chris. Much appreciated.
I recently posted a Halifax II. I don't know whether it is decent, but please have a look: