Airfix Lancaster double build (Tiger Force & Bomber Command) - 1:72 scale model

[@darrenhillman8396]

Excellent work! Love how you have done these. They are a wonderful tribute to those brave crews - of which 55,000 never made it back. A sobering thought indeed. The bases are a great idea and have come out well. Figures for the ground crew would have been the finishing touch but that doesn’t detract from the completed models. Keep up the good work!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Darren. Yes, I definitely have a soft spot for the Lancaster: my grandfather was a tail gunner on one. The Bomber Command version in this video is his aircraft (JN-V). I have a Lanc MkII, a Dambusters versions, and some 3D printed parts to convert a Dambusters Lancaster into a Grand Slam model - I'll be doing all of these at some point.

[@judebrad]

Lovely job.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you

[@t.j.lemaster8653]

The RAF bombers have always had a spot in my heart... I love the Lancaster and the mosquito. and when the American bombers and our brothers from across the pond were in the Skies over Europe we dominated and successfully gained air superiority over the Duff-waffle.......... I mean luftwaffe! 💪🇬🇧🇺🇸 loving the channel and the little bit of history on the subjects that you're building ! 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you T.J. Yes, I've gone on a bit of an RAF bomber streak recently (purchasing, at least - building is taking a bit longer!). But I've got a Halifax, Stirling, Whitley, Fortress III in the stash. I wish there was a recent, decent Manchester kit.

[@t.j.lemaster8653]

Well can't wait to see the build my friend I will definitely be tuning in!

[@robjohnson2821]

Great work. Thanks so much. Rob

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Rob

[@matth7169]

Incredible 👌. Currently doing my diorama. Just finished building the supply kit. Great job. Thank you

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you mate. Good luck with your diorama!

[@fotomakr]

Wow that was some serious warping! Well done for preserving! Nice to see the Tiger Force version done.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Bryan. Yes, I really like seeing the less common schemes. I might do my Halifax is desert camo - we don't see that a lot on bombers.

[@7Markandrews]

Same bomb bay door warp on the Tamiya 1 48 model, took me a few go's to rectify. Looking good there

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Mark

[@NigelsModellingBench]

OMG, that warpage was a joke!! Great rescue!! You're making me want to build one of my three Airfix Lancs now.... In my opinion the Airfix 1/72 kit was the most accurate available until the WNW was made.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Nigel. I agree - Airfix do so well on the detail. And the options for different turrets, pitots, exhausts etc show great attention to details. Just a bit of corner cutting at the molding stage unfortunately. I'd love to see what you make of the kit - I don't have your amazing attention to detail (or patience!) 🙂

[@GeorgeBrown-t4d]

yet another great video, I liked the radio talk too, anyway I diverse the subject bomber was deserving of the great attention you gave it, Thanks for sharing.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I love a Lancaster model :)

[@calumclark1719]

You have my sympathy with the bomb bay doors I nearly threw my vulcan out the window due to the warping and the hms hood. Amazing finish again

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Calum

[@bluegambit67]

Thanks for the history lesson for the tiger force version. I've only build the European versions and like you had trouble with the bomb doors. I wouldn't mind having a go making the tiger force version now I know it's history. Nowhere near your standards but all the same love building kits and have learnt a lot from your vids thanks.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. You're right - it's all about enjoying the hobby!

[@MrModelworx]

Fantastic builds, I really enjoyed watching along with this. I'm a car Modeler but I so want to build a Lanc! I have absolutely no idea where to start though. Really liked the period recordings at the end too.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed them!

[@petehoskins1267]

Really enjoyed watching the full post, I have the ‘Tiger version’ in my stash and have been looking at the Mk II with the Bristol Hercules radials and have located one in Melbourne. My thought is to build two kits like you have done and have different looking Lancs, especially with the Merlin’s on one and the radials on the other. Was also good to see some background stuff like how the wings look with the flaps deployed. Cheers. 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Pete. I do like the Lancaster a lot. I've got a couple of Dambusters kits somewhere too!

[@johntreloar8203]

Very nice work, they both turned out great.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks John. And the resupply vehicles appeared again 🙂

[@DavidRLentz]

I had built Airfix's 1:72nd-scale kits of the Avro Lancaster, the Handley Page Halifax, and the Short Stirling Heavy Bombers, and the Vickers Wellington Medium Bomber. A model maker (I cannot recall the name) recently has issued a 1:32nd- scale kit of the Lancaster. Have you seen it? Are you considering as- sembling it? Have you acquired any? I would recommend two (at least): one to build airborne, the propellers mo- torised. One would need to incorpor- ate a comprehensive flight crew; one could modify figurines to accomplish that. To keep the stand out of sight (I ne- ver have seen an aircraft with a tele- phone pole hanging down from its belly!), borrow from the motion pic- ture industry's concept of the Chap- man crane. This also would serve as a conduit for the electric wiring. The second would be the centre of a diorama showing the aircraft undergo- ing extensive servicing prior to its de- parture but hours away . . . .

[@ModelNerd]

Hi David. Both HK Models and Border Models have released 1:32 scale Lancasters. I've built the HK kit - you can find the build videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoHNZGOBbLOkfdE

[@foreverplastickits138]

*Even in 1/72 scale the Lanc' is a big plane, good job MN!*

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. It sure is!

[@johnalecsscalemodeling]

Excellent video and build as always. We got treated two in one. Liked the Tiger Force one a lot. Very enjoyable. Cheers

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you John. Yes, I thought the Tiger Force was quite a rare scheme so worth doing (maybe I should have included it in the thumbnail too)

[@secretsquirrelops8539]

great job mate. I love the audio at the end, awesome

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. Yeah, I love that audio, just incredible.

[@pipmeister2103]

Nice kits & well made 👌🏻

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks 👍

[@robbo1068]

Long saga but eventually completed....you must be feeling very satisfied with the results. The warping seems to be a real issue with these Lancasters but I've noticed that Airfix can be hit and miss at times unlike the reliability of other companies IMO. Otherwise, it's been a pleasure watching and listening to this episode, thanks for sharing and we'll await to see the next instalment some time in the future.

[@ModelNerd]

Cheers Robbo. Yes, it's just the inconsistency. I hope more recent Airfix kits are a bit better.

[@cjkirkland2334]

loved it.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks CJ! I appreciate the support.

[@waynebrinker8095]

Double plus good!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@judebrad]

I had also a warped centre wing-section model of the Airfix Whitley. Tried to correct the warp, but it was too badly deformed to fix despite trying to glue small sections at a time

[@ModelNerd]

It's a real shame because otherwise it is probably the best Lancaster kit available

[@timwingham8952]

Fabulous stuff. Really great builds. The FE scheme suited the Lanc. The nerd in me must say the other rear turret is still a Fraser Nash, (strictly speaking a Nash and Thompson) it's the FN79.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you. Yes, it should be the later turret with the 2x50 cals, right?

[@timwingham8952]

@@ModelNerd Yep twin .50s. A good representation on film is the Dambusters, which used late Lancs with the FN79. Just to complicate matters further, only the early Mk VIIs had the FN 50 mid upper. Later VIIs replaced it with the Martin CE250 (electric and twin .50s) a bit further forward to keep the C of G right. But....some VIIs had the new forward aperture for the Martin turret filled with an FN50 due to supply issues of the former. Just Jane at East Kirby is a good example. I must get out more.

[@ModelNerd]

No, that's great information - thank you! Stay inside more! :)

[@liamgray9805]

Brilliant effort i have a B.III version to build for a model at 1/72 scale its massive, great video buddy

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Liam

[@realkekec4028]

I'm still building the Revell Avro Lanc Mk.l/lll being attacked for air diorama.It's on hold for a moment until i figured out the way to mimic the spinning props on models.Also i have to find a way to attach the two models in air.I have a few ideas, but still have to included it in diorama. Nice work on double build.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. I've found clear acrylic rods from Amazon or eBay work well for flying aircraft. You need a firm anchor inside the fuselage though.

[@realkekec4028]

@@ModelNerd That was one of my ideas too,thnx.

[@Veezy187]

Amazing finish on all of these models! Wanted some painting advice. I am building a airfix lancaster b lll from the dambusters 80th anniv. set. using revell paints and brushing by hand. My first kit so I haven't yet invested in an airbrush! I think the panel line painting created an amazing finish - I presume if I wanted to achieve this same affect by hand I could do so but would need to make sure the panel line paint and top coat would need to be sufficiently thinned to keep the grooves visible but also enable to pre-finish to be visible through the topcoat. Alternatively, I have some vallejo pigment (carbon black) - could I utilise this? Presumably this would be overkill Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated! Vik

[@ModelNerd]

Hi Vik. For your panel lines the best option would be to paint the aircraft camouflage as normal, then use a gloss varnish over the top (probably from a spray can). Then you can use a black "panel liner" to get the effect you want. The panel liner might be thinned oil paints or a dedicated panel line wash (e.g. from Tamiya, AK, Mig etc). You can use acrylic paints for panel line washes but I hear they aren't as good (don't flow as well).

[@Veezy187]

@@ModelNerd Cheers - thank you for the explanation

[@jameshall6147]

Had same problem with bomb doors extremely annoying as l like using mirror bases.

[@ModelNerd]

Infuriating, and spoils an otherwise excellent kit

[@teddybearmartin1]

Just a slight tangent for you The Lancaster that flies as part of the RAF BBMF was originally a part of tiger force.

[@ModelNerd]

Ah, I didn't realise that. Thanks William.

[@johnwoodside8714]

Personally I'd have replaced or used krystal clear for the side windows. You're a glutton for punishment not one but two. Both looked great well done buddy, fabulous results

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks John

[@petercaulf]

I feel your pain regarding the bomb bay doors. They drove me MAD! Airfix needs to rethink it's pressing of these parts.

[@ModelNerd]

Yes - I was lucky that they still include the doors in the Dambusters kit, even though they're not needed. Although they weren't much better...

[@iangoldstraw6002]

There should only be the inboard exhaust staining from the outboard engines on Lancs..the other side the staining goes under the wing This is quite noticeable if you look at photos.. Otherwise a nice pair of heaviies.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - yes, I only realised that after I'd built the models

[@graysmodels2236]

Which make of gloss finish do you use🤔

[@ModelNerd]

This was Tamiya rattle can (TS-13)

[@graysmodels2236]

@@ModelNerd thanks👍

[@stuartmiller8053]

Nice result. As you said, pity no figures, but still really well presented. Stu

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Stu

[@stoyne11]

The difference in the turrets is that the later turret, sometimes called the Rose turret, had .50 guns as opposed to the .303 in the earlier version.edit (0oops, just watched him mention the rose turret!)Rose turret as it was made by Roses factory in Gainsboro' Lincs. the same firm that made the wrapping for the chocolates that come in a tin at Christmas!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - that's useful info. Gainsborough is just down the road from where I grew up. I never knew they built the turret there.

[@stoyne11]

@@ModelNerd Gainsborough is my home town.

[@ModeliteDiorama]

Nice result! This is an interesting plane :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@brandonthomas2623]

Now I really have to do Lancaster lol I’ll do RCAF scheme though

[@ModelNerd]

Have fun!

[@Gpandr78]

Im building a airfix lancaster b lll and it has the same warping issues especially with the back bombay wall.

[@ModelNerd]

It's a real pain, and such a shame for what is otherwise a fantastic kit.

[@Jelly-B]

Just like Goldilocks n the three Bears you don't want your concrete pour too thick or too runny it's got to be just right

[@ModelNerd]

Hehe 🙂

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

Agreed the bomb bay doors are a pig to fit - Mine fitted perfectly backwards (oops), the paint peeling removing the masking, that's an odd one.

[@ModelNerd]

Hehe - I should have tried them backwards :)

[@allanrichards3752]

Airfix have been going for a long time now and have improved a lot but they still don't seem to be able to make it into the the top league of kit manufacturers which is such a shame. When parts are warped like that I resort to a combination of CA glue and kicker to get the parts together and straight and then plastic cement for the rest of the bond. I use the CA glue just as one would do welding tacks, say every inch or so. On those bomb bay doors I think I would use only CA glue on the hinge points. Start at one end and then try and pull the parts true. Are you going for a a second mortgage and the 1/32 Border Lancaster?

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, it's a real shame. I want to build Airfix kits but this irritated me. I tried CA on the hinges but the contact points were so small that they broke when I tried to straighten the bay doors. Border Lanc....probably not...I can't really justify that at the moment and the first mortgage wouldn't be happy!

[@simonbaker6962]

When applying decals use gloss varnish on the model and then apply the decals. Once dry, respray and the mask portion should become invisible.

[@ModelNerd]

Hi Simon. Yes, I applied gloss before the decals. I'm not sure what you mean by the second point - do you mean the carrier film for the decals?

[@simonbaker6962]

@@ModelNerd Sorry..Yes.

[@MrPDoff]

I'm just doing the Airfix BBMF Version and the Bombay doors have absolutely ruined it. I went for the closed option. How it hasn't gone in the bin is nobodies business. To be fair. The whole kit has been a fight from the word go

[@ModelNerd]

Sorry to hear that Peter. It's such a shame - it really has the potential to be a great kit and I really want to like it. But when a client asked me to build one recently, I went for the Revell kit. Then I accidentally dropped it on the floor and smashed the landing gear, so I had to buy a second one! So, look out for a wheels-up Revell Lancaster from me sometime in the future!

[@epicforger12345]

Are those lancasters newly tooled seems to be quite troublesome

[@ModelNerd]

They are the latest Airfix tool, yes. It's a shame because everything else is spot on.

[@cheryldawdy5962]

My 1/72 scale avro lancaster will be based on avro lancaster mk x

[@ModelNerd]

Oh, nice. You don't see many Mk X models.

[@simonbaker6962]

If you want to add windows use "Glue and Glaze."

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Simon

[@aaronhutt274]

Great build as always. When I built my dambusters lanc, both fuselage halves were bent even more than yours, as if they were doing their best banana impression (no exaggeration lol). It must either be a problem with the mould or where they store them. Seems to be a common theme with the airfix lancs.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Aaron. I think it is related to removing the sprues from the molds before the plastic is fully cooled? So they when it cools further it warps.

[@ITAmich]

I didn't know airfix made a Tiger Force scheme... I wanted to do one but it seems unfortunately this is a hard to find kit... Oh well... Nice job despite the warping!!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. Tbh you could probably easier make a Tiger Force version from any late war Lancaster kit.

[@ITAmich]

@@ModelNerd Possibly, I'll need to do a little research on the decals though, I'd really like to find appropriate markings to go with the color scheme.

[@ITAmich]

@@ModelNerd Possibly, I'll need to do a little research on the decals though, I'd really like to find appropriate markings to go with the color scheme.

[@ModelNerd]

@@ITAmich I think KitsWorld,where I got the code letters for the European camo scheme, probably do those same letters in black.

[@captainmagic91]

Long video is good. Rather have them long and detailed rather than skip anything

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Michael - that's good to know because I'm not keen on splitting builds into multiple parts unless they are huge (Dora!) or where it is more logical (model and then diorama).

[@BrushQuill]

A pair of nice builds. Shame about the warping :( Just realised I first found your channel from a Lancaster build. :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate - and thanks for sticking around! Oh yeah, the HK 1:32 Lancaster. That was a long build!

[@mybluebelly]

Is Airfix still producing their older Lancaster kit or was that one discontinued years ago?

[@ModelNerd]

This is their most recent Lancaster, which is from 2012 (yikes, time flies).

[@mybluebelly]

@@ModelNerd I know the Lancaster in this video is the new Airfix kit, just would like to know if Airfix is producing only this one now or indeed still manufacturing both the old and new Lancaster kits.

[@ModelNerd]

I doubt they'd still be producing the old one once they bring out a new tool

[@mybluebelly]

@@ModelNerd Well according to Scalemates, there was a 2010 release from Airfix whereas the new tool came two years thereafter in 2012. It seems Airfix indeed has steadily been re-releasing the old kit at least up until 2010 (changed box) but interestingly, there is no data on any newer releases but i don`t like to take things for granted either. Guess we have to consult the good old pudding yet again ;-) So, what is your opinion on the older Airfix Lanc vs the newly tooled kit?

[@ModelNerd]

I haven't seen one in the flesh, but given the date of that tooling is 1980 I'm going to suggest it isn't as good :)

[@paulshrimplin4032]

See your mistake outer exhaust stain went under the wing, not over it like the rest, look at some photos then you will see. Also you could have added blue and green even dark grey to the black to brake the sold black up.

[@ModelNerd]

Well spotted - but I still think it looks good. I like the symmetry :)

[@WW2GERMANMILITARIA123]

Very nice well built how long you been making my friend 🇺🇦🤟🏻👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I've been building this one since September 2021. I've been modelling about 5 years.

[@liamgray9805]

Ha ha very enjoyable despite the length of video 🤣

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Liam. Yeah, a bit long this one.

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm

[@glenmiller272]

Warpage, not letting the sprue cool down enough when ejecting from the molds, shameful Airfix, you've had 70 odd years to sort this out.....

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, I think it was an issue when they first moved manufacturing.

[@midori6756]

I will never build an Airfix kit! Those were not worth your time and skill!

[@ModelNerd]

I hope their more recent kits are better because they do have a good level of detail for the most part.