Wanted: Tamiya 1/48th Lancaster

[Brad Edmondson]

I've found my new Holy Grail

 

I haven't made models in years, but the rare Tamiya 1/48th scale Lancaster B I/III is one I want to build someday. Figure I should secure it now for a rainy day.

 

Can the model experts here help me navigate my way to getting a copy? Good links and forums I should browse to score one? I've heard the kit hasn't been in production in many years.

[Brad Sallows]

Izzat the "Dambuster" kit, or the basic kit? I've seen the latter somewhere in the past year, but I don't recall which shop.

[EW]

Brad,

 

I checked out Hannants (see below) for you. It seems they only got the motorized Grand Slam version left. I've got two copies of the B1/BIII which I purchased about 4 - 5 years ago when the kit was re-issued (Sorry, not for sale). IOW, it could be tricky finding one. Among us a/c enthusiasts/"dorks" it's a must to have one, so to speak.

 

I've built the dambuster version and the layout of the kits doesn't differ that much. However, IIRC you can't convert a Grand Slam in to a B1/BIII since one of the turrets is missing. Anyway, if you could be more specific about what you would like to know about the kit and it's assembly, I'll answer to the best of my ability I'll try to provide some links tomorrow (very late over here).

 

One of my Lancs will be an individual from the 106 Sqdn while they were based at Syerston. Anyway good to see another Lancaster fan in this section of TankNet

 

"Ante Lucem"

 

EW http://www.hannants.co.uk/

[Gennady I. Beregovoy]

Not Tamiya, but the model shop nearby has several kits of an Avro Lancaster in two versions IIRC. One of them I think (not sure) is a DamBuster version. Not sure if it's an Airfix kit or something.

[Jacques]

There are quite a few of the lancaster I/III for sale on Ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=50302

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...7&category=1189

 

Since it has been OOP for so long, this is probably your best bet in getting one.

[EW]

Here's some links that might prove useful.

 

The first one is like a general directory with lots of links; http://www.scalemodelindex.com/

 

Hyperscale is a "must" for a/c modelers. They also got section for trading and bying.

http://www.hyperscale.com/

 

Another excellent site, is Aircraft Resource Center. Lots of good articles and photos;

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/

 

Finally an article on the B1/BIII kit; http://www.features02.kitparade.com/lancasterrl_1.htm

 

The above ought to be sufficient to get you started. Almost forgot, the Grand Slam version can also be built as a Dambuster.

 

EW

[Brad Edmondson]

Gotta love TankNet! Ask and ye shall receive

 

If I'd have known something like that was available on E-bay that's the first place I'd look. Thanks, Jacques. I'll see if I can score that mint condition one.

 

Wanker,

 

My plan is to take the Mk III and convert it into a Mk X. My Dad flew the Mk X so I want to make a replica based on the few photographs I have. I wanted this kit as it's the only 1/48th scale Lanc ever made, the rest are all 1/72nd. I'll have to score a 1/48th Martin turret and be creative covering up the Fraser-Nash turret mount and then fabricate the new turret mount further up the fuselage. A long term project/goal anyway.

 

I'm thinking of one of two dioramas: a replica of the crew posing after their last sortie or a replica of the plane sans one of the engines that was blown off by flak. Might be nice to mount his DFC in the display with that one since that's the mission that earned him the gong.

 

Again, long term thinking. I just want to get the raw materials now.

[Jacques]

Hey Stuart,

 

Go to www.greatmodels.com

 

go to database (Left sidebar)

 

type in lancaster

 

page through to the 1/72 stuff...there are some PE and detail sets available.

 

I am using GMW because it is easiest to point this stuff out, I am in no way affiliated, I have no money invested in them (other than what I have bought from them)...full disclosure now...

[Jacques]

No Problem Stuart...another good site, that is in my state to boot, is www.rollmodels.com they are also more aircraft oriented, and they are nice people as well. www.squadron.com is quicker, and has all instock kits, well, in stock to ship immediately.

 

Just a heads up for you

[Brad Edmondson]

Scored the mint condition Lanc from E-bay. Sweet

 

Thanks guys.

[EW]

Congrats. And since this is a long term project for you, may I suggest that you also purchase the "Bl/BIII Detail Set" from Flightpath, while it's still available. It's a bit expensive, but then again the quality is outstanding. They also got some interesting ground equipment, that are worth some consideration IMO. Also get the Eduards paint masks for the canopies as well, since they will save you from a lot of agony, trust me. The price you paid seems to be reasonable, since my Lancs cost me rougly 80 USD each, excluding shipping, 5 years ago.

 

Flightpath link;

http://www.djparkins.clara.net/fltpath/fpmaster.htm

 

EW

 

[Edited by Ensign wanker (14 Oct 2003).]

[Brad Edmondson]

Wanker,

 

Too damn cool!

 

I was going to ask for information on mod kits and that hits the spot. Glad they have a kit with the cookie bomb, I wanted that as part of my diorama.

 

My poor credit card though

[Brad Edmondson]

One Lancaster now in my hot little hands

 

Kit does come with a cookie bomb and looks fantastic (as well as being frickin huge!)

 

Now, moving on to other delusions of grandeur: is there anyone who makes a good 1/48th scale Halifax II or V? I'd love to make one of those in HCU markings since my dad trained on those. Also on my 1/48th hit list:

 

-Vickers Wellington

-Cessna Crane

-Avro Anson

-Tiger Moth

-Airspeed Oxford

 

Going to start looking around. Leads would be appreciated.

[Jacques]

Some help:

 

No 1/48 kit of the Cessna Crane...

 

Wellington - Sanger makes a VacuForm (henceforth VF) kit, trumpeter is supposed to release one in 1/48 in 2004

 

Halifax - VF kit from Sanger

http://www.arcair5.com/Gal1/201-300/gal299...hael/gal299.htm

 

Tiger Moth - VF kit from AeroClub

http://www.aeroclub-models.com/s.html?c=4&...CLUB+1%2F48+KIT

 

Oxford - Sanger kit

http://www.arcair3.com/Fea1/201-300/Fea276...len/Fea276a.htm

 

Avro Anson - Sanger VF again.

http://www.aviationusk.com/kits/mksanger.html

 

some links are to build reviews, some are to sellers I have NOT dealt with, so I cannot recomend/discourage against them.

[EW]

Brad,

 

I've got a copy of the Scale Models Hobby Magazine from 1975, that has the best "walktrough" that I've come across regarding the Lancaster kit, both printed media and the web. If you're interested I could make a copy of that one and send it to you. Let me know, and I'll send you an e-mail to get your postal adress.

 

 

EW

[Brad Edmondson]

Originally posted by Ensign wanker:

Brad,

 

I've got a copy of the Scale Models Hobby Magazine from 1975, that has the best "walktrough" that I've come across regarding the Lancaster kit, both printed media and the web. If you're interested I could make a copy of that one and send it to you. Let me know, and I'll send you an e-mail to get your postal adress.

 

 

EW

 

My e-mail's in my profile. Thanks.

 

Jacques,

 

Great kits. What's the lowdown on vacuform kits? I've heard of them but never built one.

[Jacques]

Brad,

 

best answer is to follow the Oxford link...all answers lie there.

 

(PS, Vacuformed kits can be a real pain to build...or not. I have a couple, even a 1/35 Modern German Iltis!)

[Brad Sallows]

If you haven't assembled the Lanc or purchased any mods yet, you might want to look into this:

 

Belcher Bits

 

I saw a set of the replacement engine nacelles and purchased them to retrofit onto my Lanc. (I had a lot of trouble with the kit parts and never really got them to fit together cleanly and snugly.)