The End and the Beginning

Since I've been blathering about this Lancaster build all summer, it's only fair that I add some pictures of the completed model. This has been a project that seems to have had more to do at the end than the beginning - that odd modeling paradox. There was such a lot of tiny detail - the folding of the metal alone took days. Tiny lights, and aerials took more concentration and a steady hand.


Anyway, photos will explain better. It's a satisfying end to another project, and hopefully a happy new home with its new owner.

It's all in the resin.

I always wanted to build an Arado Ar 240. It seemed like a compelling design. I considered the Revell offering in 1/72 scale, but does that scale do it justice?

Earlier this year, I received a box of builds from a client, and there inside was an Arado. In 1/48 scale. To be precise, it's the resin kit from MPM, and I was very excited.

I opened it up and saw a sea of pale yellow; everything, I mean everything, is resin. Apart from the vac-formed clear parts.


From the tiniest parts up to the larger fuselage and wing sections, all are contained in their own plastic compartments. There are sharp, subtle panel lines, a minimum of flash. The cockpit has reasonable detail, if not great. The decals from CMK look good, and the kit offers a choice of two aircraft - both from the Eastern Front in 1943.

One or two parts have to be very carefully separated from their sprues to avoid damage -see the photo for their layout.


Overall, it looks good, and certainly not a Tamiya kit you can knock off in a weekend. This kit needs attention to the fit, right down to the smallest detail. Such is resin. So, very-time intensive. More on this later.