Merry Christmas & Lancaster Teaser

[Buster_Dee]

IceFire, there is one area that might help: interior views of the canopy framing. I could leave out all the fasteners, but I want to at least make an effort to represent them.

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by Buster_Dee

IceFire, there is one area that might help: interior views of the canopy framing. I could leave out all the fasteners, but I want to at least make an effort to represent them.

Next time I pay a visit I'll try and take some photos at least from the outside with my telephoto lens.

This video (starting at 9:30) has some decent interior shots: http://youtu.be/ceuU1UQuwVU

He makes mention of the Martin turret with the .50cals. So obviously a bit different from the British made Mark I. Fascinating interior shots. Also bonus of the Mosquito and the big 10 Merlin formation they did a couple of summers ago.

[shelby]

Originally Posted by Buster_Dee

Why the III? Dambusters?

Yes and different engines

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by shelby

Yes and different engines

On the other hand... the Mark I also was the foundation of the Mark I Special with the Tirpitz sinking bombs.

[Buster_Dee]

Originally Posted by shelby

Yes and different engines

Slight performance difference, and a few more switches above the starter switches. Sugar and Freddie both have the blanking plate for the extra switches, so the panels must have been built for both Mk.

[shelby]

Originally Posted by Buster_Dee

Freddie

Freddie is old Fred? If so it is mkiii so the panels is similar to the Sugar's

[Monguse]

Awesome work Buster!

[Buster_Dee]

Thanks Monguse.

Sounds like I need more info. I thought the cutout switches above the starter switches were for MK III only, since the Packard-built had different carburetor that had to be forced off on engine shutdown. If that is so, Old Fred should have those switches. Maybe it ended life with RR engines, and the switches were removed to avoid pilot error. There are other peculiarities, but I believe this is the big one.

EDIT: I've since seen some sources that say Old Fred was built as a Mk I, which makes more sense. What source says it is a III? Sorting this might uncover other useful info.

[shelby]

the other mkiii is on Berlin
Lancaster B III JA914 Served with 57 Squadron as DX-O. Shot down over Berlin in September 1943 and crashed into a lake opposite Zahrensdorf. Wreckage from this aircraft was recovered and is now on display at the Deutsche Technikmuseum, Berlin.

[Buster_Dee]

Rebuilt FE Panel. Still some switches to sort.