Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => The Snoops, Sensors, Spooks, & Spies GB => Topic started by: Buzzbomb on April 13, 2014, 07:36:53 PM
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After the surprise attack on Western Europe by the Russians in July 1945, things swung away from the west. Slowly using technology creep and finally putting theory into practice new platforms to enable a fight back emerged. Work was being done for Lancasters with Saddle Tanks for the Far East, but these modifications also offered an unexpected bonus.. loiter time. Fledgling work with Airborne Radar had already been done with the Night Fighters, but very little with a Surface Surveillance radar, apart from a short experiment with the Wellington.
Finally using the Lancaster a platform that could carry the bulky equipment plus crew emerged with acceptable loiter time.
Patrolling into the North Sea, the Lancaster AEW aircraft could track any Soviet incursions by naval forces. Others then began to be used over the European Battlefields. The Tide was turning back.
So.. for this group build.. what to do. I ratted the stash and found an older Airfix Lancaster, the 1980's update. Imagine the surprise when I opened the box and found that somewhere along the line I had put a Saddle Tank Resin conversion in there. Then then the Eureka Moment of a plan.
Early days yet, just fitted the saddle tank and began work on the active detector nose using the ball from a deodorant bottle.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p2wdtswhlw409r6sd9xdm/aewlanc1.jpg?rlkey=bxmk77i5dnr9horv6fqufd1ua&raw=1)
Pretty sure it will evolve over time.
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Interesting...very interesting!
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and began work on the active detector nose using the ball from a deodorant bottle.
This model project smells good! ;)
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Gotta love times like Easter when you get official permission from the GLW to do stuff like modelling and "take it easy".
On a roll here.
So the AEW Lanc is getting together.
First up some work on the new nose profile.. PSR, PSR, PSR....
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/smfuokaj24agm0lczp15m/aewlanc2.jpg?rlkey=ypmzg2kv0p0n3g2o8unt1ugnh&raw=1)
Added at Ventral dome as well. Calculation say it will have clearance (Clarence).. Real World may say different. The U/C is drying before a practice fit
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ogrk8c7r6p3wgkq3ralmj/aewlanc3.jpg?rlkey=uqvbp30lck3j5cmp9fs543cuo&raw=1)
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PSR PSR PSR is not "easy"...
Congratulations, you made a great work on this nose. :)
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Very interesting -- :) you'll be needing some metal u/c for that though --- sounds like Scale Aircraft Conversions to the rescue --- ;)
http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?KIT=429 (http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?KIT=429)
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Very nice so far! gotta love Airplane! as well :)
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Neato - I like where this is going. However, you might need an extension on the tailwheel.. and possibly RATO... :P
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:)
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Progress.
All the major bits now largely completed. It has had a preliminary Goof Coat of primer and aside the usual "fix 'em as you see 'em" is almost there.
Although it barely looks like a Lanc now.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o500qdjsksffinzobnses/aewlanc4.jpg?rlkey=wu3ofe9kk05l0527g915tuyt0&raw=1)
At least Plan view still has Lanc lines.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y4u3l8u390y7a6epmlo35/aewlanc5.jpg?rlkey=t1udyypk328ksp24cef2qkvgt&raw=1)
We did have clearance Clarence... the ventral dome fits the standard gear without a problem
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yc0ybq7u9pv2w4axufmnd/aewlanc6.jpg?rlkey=e5z4diyep8b709bzikckng3e7&raw=1)
If figure that an aircraft that could routinely carry 8000lb+ of bombs could fit some Improved ASV RADAR that generally was shown to fit in Wellington's and even some much improved Air to Air that was in Mosquitos and Beaufighters.
Few more detaily bits, like the radio arrays then finish the FN82(ish) Rear Turret with .50 cals, then painting
Currently leaning towards a daylight late war scheme, Sky Grey undersurfaces, Grey/Green Upper surfaces, for a bit of a change.
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Cool configuration 8)
Is time an AEW Lancaster showed up.
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That raised cabin roof gives the Lancaster a distinctly different look. Can not ignore the resemblance to Gromit (http://www.wallaceandgromit.com/) in that one image of the nose :)
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Coming along nicely! :)
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.. and finished
So there it is. The First version of the Lancaster AEW Platform.
My version of Daylight Markings.
Extra Dipole antenna added, the masts giving a splash of colour.
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9683voa9aywqgl2lm452i/aewlanc7.jpg?rlkey=dm17o257s0hzcm793svju0oea&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ppqjuivq86felrvcwjo0i/aewlanc8.jpg?rlkey=h00148obfm02kmdkuylmuils9&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f6vtss7305nsvc6j5e444/aewlanc9.jpg?rlkey=59nxjrs1vn7c6bjwixxnaagnc&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/crtcwdtyk9lqphoowix8b/aewlanc10.jpg?rlkey=mv4rp9hi2qz7stcrffuaktzed&raw=1)
Gotta say though for decals that came with a kit released in the mid 80's, they went on quite nicely. All kit decals sans the B.
Given this kit was a lightspeed jump from the original Airfix Lancaster.. the newer ones make this look like the gimmicky Revell kits of the 70's
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Nice.
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"B" for Brian. :P
Distinctively different and certainly "up my alley" !! ;) Good job.
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U-ug-ly! :o
Not so pretty plane but a very nice camouflage scheme &, of course, the ugliness is the price paid for being able to do its job properly.
Nice one, Brian! :)
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Freaking awesome man!
Alvis 3.1
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Wow a busy weekend
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Unique :)
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Few things send me more than wartiness. This is a great looking concept, and as always, the execution is amazing.
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Sorry to be so late to the party, but seeing this Lanc mod is a real treat!
Not only do the mods appear seamless, but that's one incredibly sharp paint scheme!
Brian da Basher