1:72 Airfix Avro Lancaster B2

 

Notwithstanding a few finishing touches, I've just completed the Airfix Lancaster B2. I was inspired to build this having bought RAF Radials by Spencer Pollard featuring three masterclass builds in 1:72. I decided to use his build of the Lancaster as a visual template to see if I could get anywhere close to that quality.

Though Pollard's book is a great resource, there are some procedural omissions leaving you guessing how to proceed so it isn't a how-to guide, but it does give you a few clues. It's also a review of the kit which was nice to have if only to have my own impressions confirmed.

I'm a little less diplomatic than Pollard. This is a stinker of a kit. The fuselage was warped and putting it together was seriously hard work. The main landing gear assembly is just bizarre and no thought has been put into attaching the bomb bay doors which are only precariously attached by small sprigs. The engine mounts are also a bit of a problem. They don't really attach to anything save for the forward cowling ring and they don't stay in place.

For a new tooling this was a bit of a disappointment from Airfix. I don't much recall if its predecessor was any good but this release isn't a quantum leap in development. As it happens, I did build the 1960's Airfix Handley Page Halifax not so long back which is not without its problems, but the fuselage rivets make for a more detailed and enjoyable finish. I do recall that the transparent parts weren't up to much but I have to concur with Pollard's conclusion that the fuselage detail on this Lancaster isn't as good, and is too smooth and too even to be considered realistic.

One of the flaws with the latest batch of new Airfix releases is the panel lines. On this and the new Vulcan, they're too deep and wide, more resembling a diecast model, presumably done that way for amateur modeller satisfaction but they do nothing for accuracy. The fuselage looks more like one of Brunel's iron clad ships than an actual Lancaster. 

That said, I don't think it matters all that much if you get everything else right. The flaws in the kit can be overcome by a competent experienced modeller. Modelling, in essence, is the process of correcting a succession of problems either with the kit or from your own mistakes. 

Speaking of which, I was not pleased with Pollard's recommendation to paint the tail plane separately. I categorically do not recommend this approach. The stabilisers don't fit on to the fuselage particularly well and it took several dry fits before realising that the locator slugs had to be more or less completely trimmed off, and in the process of fitting them the aft fuselage started to split open. If I ever do this kit again I will add them even before joining the fuselage. I would also say that there isn't very much point in going overboard on the interior because most of it cannot be seen. 

As to the the paintwork, I must have done three or four RAF black/green/brown bombers in my time so this ain't my first rodeo. I went with my own mix of Tamiya colours. I've developed a reasonable instinct for it. The weathering was the real fun. Having watched a video on oil paint weathering, I went to town on this one, being that with oils you can simply wipe off what you don't like. Here I was able to fade and modulate the finishes in ways I have never succeeded with an airbrush. I've managed rudimentary pre-shading before but it goes wrong more often than not. Oils appear to be the way to go for now.

What really makes the difference on this one is the Eduard canopy mask. There's no way it would look nearly as good as it does without it. I'm now having to bend to the expensive truth that one should never attempt a complex kit without the laser cut masks.

There are a few problems with the end result that I may address with some advanced surgery later down the line. I always revisit my kits eventually. A second look often makes the difference between an average build and an excellent one. I had some problems with primer peeling and chipping, suggesting a release agent on the kit so I probably need to get back into the habit of washing Airfix sprues before commencing. This has left some surface imperfections I couldn't correct since I never seem to have a fully functioning airbrush.

With the help of Spencer Pollard's book I think I've produced one of my all time best efforts, if not the best. I'm usually a bit timid with aircraft weathering as you can very easily do something to ruin it, but this time I had the confidence to go much further. As Pollard points out, Lancasters did get absolutely filthy. 

To seal in the streaking and modulation I gave it a very thin coat of (the now obligatory) Pledge floor polish, which may warrant a matt overcoat. I was going to give varnishes a miss but there was slight decal silvering and the Pledge takes the edge of it. The demarcation markings on the wing were something of a headache and I still don't trust decal solutions not to melt the decal completely or ruin the paintwork. I used a heavily diluted Humbrol Decalfix which was just enough.

Airfix HP Halifax

As you can see from the Halifax I built just two years ago (click image for larger), I wasn't far off a decent standard but with printed colour pictures of a master build as a reference I was able to take it the rest of the way. The oil weathering and grey misting as suggested by Pollard has taken me to the next level. With a new standard now established I may dig the old Halibag out for a bit of a refurb. Those wing rivets you can see make for a pleasing finish.

I have to say I am somewhat disappointed with Airfix on this one. This is the newest large tooling of theirs I've attempted and was expecting something a lot better. The technology has got better so you wouldn't expect to have to address the same warping problems found on the Airfix 1962 Avro Anson.

The other problem is that they're putting 1:48 design & build philosphy into 1:72 kits. What works for the former does not work for the latter. Elaborate interiors are a complete waste of time, deep panel lines don't work and complex rudder/elevator assemblies are best left to 1:48 kits. I can see this Lanc being very fragile and requiring ongoing repairs.

For all that, though, I really cannot complain because, for all the griping, it clearly can be done well, it's reasonably priced, and what you get is a Lanc variant that nobody else does. It's a distinctive and unusual version and all credit to Airfix for taking the risk. I'm really pleased with it.