Metal Earth Lancaster

A very good friend of mine gave me this kit to help with my convalescence following a heart op last August. It's made from laser cut thin metal and should make up into a rather nice model.......however.....I don't think he realised that the dexterity required has been quite beyond me for the past few months. Anyway, last night I decided to 'have a go'.

Here's the basic kit:



and this is what the mid-upper turret looks like once it's been made up!



The concept of Metal Earth is quite fascinating, and they have models to suit all tastes from aircraft to buildings (Eifel Tower and Tower Bridge), ships, Star Wars, animals, plants and even musical instruments. See:

www.fascinations.com/metalearth

I have one of those, SWMBO saw it in Leeds Model shop and persuaded me (against my better judgement) to buy it. I keep looking at it but as I have 'essential tremor' and arthritis all I do is look.
One day I will have to bite the bullet

Mowerman wrote: I have one of those, SWMBO saw it in Leeds Model shop and persuaded me (against my better judgement) to buy it. I keep looking at it but as I have 'essential tremor' and arthritis all I do is look.
One day I will have to bite the bullet

I know how you feel....I've been looking at mine for three months! It's not too bad once you've made a start, but pointy pliers and a good set of tweezers are essential tools. I also need a magnifying light and my set of 3.5x reading glasses!

Fiddley was a word invented for this model...and it still under-describes it. Don't get me wrong, the concept of the model is quite outstanding and the realisation is also very good.....but, and there's always a but, the parts are minute and require bending with precision to fit.

The joining process is with small tabs that slot into holes. The tabs are then bent over to secure the parts. When parts need to be fitted at right angles, the tabs are set onto an extended base that forms the 90 degree bend. Here's one of the tailplanes, the tabs extend out of the root and the tip:



The tabs are then bent to fit into the holes in the fin:



On the other tailplane, I made the mistake of fitting the fin at this point, ending up breaking it off while fiddling to get the tailplane root tabs to fit into the fuselage holes!!!!!!!! A drop of epoxy will fix that when the rest of the model is complete.

The tailplane was then attached to the fus and the fin added and tabs bent down in both cases to retain the parts.





Here's a general view showing the mid-upper turret, seen in post 1 of the thread, fitted to the fus and pictured through the magnifying lens.

Seems pity that it looks like Metal Earth ran out ideas on how to make a scale tail wheel.

Quorneng wrote: Seems pity that it looks like Metal Earth ran out ideas on how to make a scale tail wheel.

The answer to that one will come clear at the end Q; it's the last bend before model completion.....

yea gods that is small and fiddly.
rather you than me Andy.

What servos are you going to use Andy?

Engines are next, this is what they look like as they come off the sheet:



The fold lines are pre-etched and work quite well. Use of a mandrel is advised for the curved bits:



and this is what they look like when made up:



Wheels next:



Funny how they go out of focus when made up!



and fitted to the engine:

"WOW"
very detailed for something so small.

Underside will be filled by a plate with small dome on front to simulate bomb aimers window:



All motors have now been made up. Motor tags and holes in wing are handed to prevent fitting in wrong position - a good design point:



One wing now assembled and fitted:

Andy
Quite remarkable!
Those engine nacelles look to have a 'ribbed' effect or is that just the etched bend lines?

Quorneng wrote: Andy
Quite remarkable!
Those engine nacelles look to have a 'ribbed' effect or is that just the etched bend lines?

You're quite right Q, the ribbed effect comes from the etched bend lines (see pic of 'flat' engine in post 9); nevertheless, they're quite effective. All the markings are laser-etched too, if that's the right word.

And as you say, it's a remarkable kit. It's made up into a very nice representation of the Lancaster; it's not perfect scale, but it doesn't need to be. Whoever designed it did an amazing job. Yes, it was fiddley, but I did get a cerain perverse satisfaction from completing it.

Would I build another? Well, the Tiger Moth, Star Ship Enterprise and Tower Bridge are on my Amazon WIsh List in the hope that my daughters and nieces might spot it before Christmas......

Pics follow....not sure why but the (tail) wheel pictures always appear out of focus.

Here's a better pic of the tailwheel and a general view of the underside:

Nice Job Andy.
I am still not sure if I want to risk trying to build mine, May wait until my daughter visits and try to 'con' her (toy boy) partner into doing it for me.