Vickers Wellington III - a couple of questions.

[BarryW]

I am building the Trumpeter 1/48 kit of this under rated aircraft.

Two questions perhaps someone could answer.

1/. Is the internal geodesic framework meta or wood? I suspect metal. The answer will determine whether I dry brush with metal powder or brown pigment.

2/ the side window guns. Would it be right not to leave them poking out of the side windows for a parked up aircraft? These will be incredibly vulnerable just cemented into place so I am trying to decide whether to leave them off or stacked inside. If I need to have them poking through the side windows I will have to cut the barrels off to add as a final fitting.

In the meantime. I have tried my first wood panels. A spray of Ochre Wood then a Earth MiG Oli Brusher to give it a wood grain. I think they look OK and as so little will be seen will work well. What do you think on this.



I will post a completed build thread when done.

 

[Jim R]

Good choice. The poor old Wellington deserves a better reputation. Wood looks nice and wooden.

 

[stillp]

Yes Barry, the geodesic structure is metal. Here's the interior of the one at Brooklands:

Pete

 

[stillp]

Here's a few more:

I'm not sure if this IP is the Wellington but it's in the right sequence in my photos:

Hope these help.
Pete

 

[Ian M]

Regarding question 2, I think it very likely that the machine guns would have been taken off/out for cleaning and service after a sortie.

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Barry, if you are looking for more info about the Wellington, have a look at this thread Fraser Nash FN5.

Hope you'll like it.

Andrea

 

[stillp]

Here's one of the rear turret:

Pete

 

[Tim Marlow]

Good choice. The poor old Wellington deserves a better reputation. Wood looks nice and wooden.

Over eleven thousand built, more than any other bomber type, the only British bomber built right through the war, and with a reputation for bring crews back despite heavy damage due to the toughness of the geodetic framework. Don’t think it’s reputation was bad at all really Jim.

 

[Dave Ward]

Aluminium/Duralumin - rolled to form the geodetic members. Most of the work on this form of construction was overseen by Barnes Wallis ( of Dambuster fame ) as a follow on to the Wellesley & the R100 airship. The Wellington was a workhorse for the RAF, overshadowed by its' bigger contemporaries. My favourites are the GR marks used on anti-submarine patrols..........
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Don’t think it’s reputation was bad at all really Jim.

I think most people tend to think the war was won by Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters. So perhaps "better reputation" should be replaced by "greater recognition".

 

[Tim Marlow]

I think most people tend to think the war was won by Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters. So perhaps "better reputation" should be replaced by "greater recognition".

Perhaps “Target for tonight” should be mandatory viewing for Joe public….

 

[BarryW]

Many thanks everyone for your help. I am glad to see that there is a general agreement that the Wimply was under rated and deserves more recognition.

 

[adt70hk]

Like Barry said. Very helpful info, for when I get around to doing mine.

ATB.

Andrew