The Building of Lancaster ED702
11ft Wing Remote Control
The Kit...
Got the plans and blisters a while back been waiting for the wood kits received parts 1 & 2 yesterday, part 3 out of stock at the moment!! all on hold again!! but they should have them in next week (hopefully)Plans designed by Tony Nijhuis, very detailed. (3 sheets)
Few pics of the wood packs and blisters got so far more to follow as I build her, have two options with these plans a Dams raid lanc or standard of the time will decide which later!!
Pack 3 arrived today 130 parts!!! yep I counted them all!!!!!!!! will start work on her next week still have a little time to decide if she's going to be a Dams raid or a Mk III. I have to keep the weight on this build to under 23.5lbs (10.7kg).
Preparing the parts
I had a choice to decide, which way to go as the the 'type' of Lancaster to build the Mk III or The Dams Raid version. Im still heading for ED702 at the moment. I don't have to make final decision until I start building the fuselage! problem I've got is my Great Uncle flew both Dams Lancaster and Mk III so the choice I have is AJ-Y ED924 (617 Sqd) or EA-D ED702 (49 Sqd) Must be honest I'm leaning more towards ED702.
Not much done today, some small bits on the fuselage, spent yesterday chasing the motors was put on to someone who has built this and his advice was to go for AXI 282610 motors, they have a bit more power and are better on the batteries £76 each! though he did say if I get 4 he'll be able to sort a discount with the motor controllers at £76.50 each on top of that! (2009 prices)
I am working on some calculations at the moment for having the bomb bay operational, having to check on the weight and to make sure the C of G doesn’t get altered.
Have now decided she'll be EA-D ED702
After a short break the build is back on ... ok not so short but i have been trying to get parts in the off build time... Tried to get some .303 in scale 3 firms all said yes no problem ... all three in the states 2 folded!! one changed there mind Have found 2 more now BUT they are needing 3D Cad drawing's in 1.9 scale. Also been chasing up more crew members the two I managed to get seems to be a fluke no one seens to have 1.9 in stock and wont for some time 1.6 & 1.32 no problem
With waiting on parts i've decided to leave the fuslage as is for now, I'll get back to that when i can get all the bits i'm still needing.
The Fuselage
Will have to decide today which i'm version i'm building, I'm still inclined to go for ED702 She was known as the Sqd Leaders personal a/c my Great Uncle flew her several times, before being shot down in Sept '43 (details of this can be seen in Aircraft - ED702)
Not got much done been waiting on some more bits to arrive they came today, also had to work out if was possible to have operational bomb bay, weight, COG etc ... looks like its a yes!! been working on completing the fuselage the frame of it before I have to start cutting it up to build the BB lol..... also had to add a break in the length as it is its over 8ft long and our car wont take that will be looking to put some of the skin on today or tomorrow, so i can work the bomb bay door lines, for the hinges thanks Lisa for the pics of VRA bomb bay saved me loads of time when you get to the UK I'll buy you a Lancaster Bomber Ale !!! or 3 Will be completing the nose section once the skin is on will be simpler for lining up and sanding down
Started covering from just behind front gunners & B/A position that area will be built up in the next couple of days to where the wings will connect ... coverd the top and started on the sides having to do little at a time with the curve i'm having to put in the balsa
Taken longer than I thought still working on the bomb bay floor. Also been working on the 'mainspar' boxes getting them to fit correctly with the wings square & in the right position, Thanks Lisa for the bomb bay pics now can work on the method for the hydralics for the BB, hope to get more done over the next few days.....
Continuing to build up the sides by the cockpit the final panel will be done later as this needs shaping and bending to fit.
I have decided to remove the tail section, this makes it a little simpler to work with, on the original plan the fuselage was 1 piece, but at nearly 8ft would be a little difficult to fit in my car! So I decided to take the tail off!! This will be fixed back in place by 4 bolts .. the tail wing by a further 2 (Tail wing fixing is part of the original design)
Work started on the bomb bay .... had to make new formers for the bomb bay, the plans have the base flat for the dams raid version.. i did'nt like this so after looking through a few of the blue prints i have managed to get the curve needed, Also finished fixing the nuts into the tail section for bolting together.
Added the centre line 2 pices of 10mm of 3mm balsa then started on the outside edge .. only to give stability.
Partly covered one end for more strenth ... then cut the spars to free the "one" piece doors.Now just to cover remaining area .. sand to shape ... & cut in half .
Bomb bay doors covered and first sanding to get the shape...Some shaping still to do in the inside
Moved on to fitting the hinges to the fuselage and dry fitted the doors, pleased with the outcome and look still a fair amount of shaping on the internal side of the bay doors yet.
Pinned and glued the BB door hinges into place, just need to remove the excess wooden pins on the inside