Avro Lancaster B MkIII – Tamiya's 1/48th scale classic

Evening guys and gals,

Here's a model I completed today - Tamiya's classic of the mighty Lancaster in 1/48th scale. My model represents a B MkIII of 300 (Polish) Squadron, based at RAF Faldingworth in early/mid-1944.

I picked this up for a steal on a well known auction site a while back, shortly after HK Models released their new kit and thus a lot of these were being sold off cheaply. Whilst the Tamiya kit is of 1975 vintage, it still builds up well and holds its own against the newer HK rendition well.

I actually like the raised surface detail (which although a little overdone in places is a more life-like rendition of the real aircraft) and whilst it has the odd tricky element during construction - namely the fit of the engines - it doesn't take any major effort to put it together. I painted it with my trusty Badger 200 using Xtracolor enamels, and added a Flory 'grime' wash and did all the exhaust staining with Mig-Ammo pastels which are really easy to work with. Decals came from Techmod and were superb, bedding down over the raised details without issue.

All in all a very straightforward and enjoyable build, and whilst I need to get hold of the newer HK kit one day, I'd happily build another of these if the opportunity arose - you can't beat giving an older classic some love!

Tom

11 additional images. Click to enlarge.