Revell's Avro Lancaster B.Mk. I/III ups the ante in the 1/72 scale aircraft market. Plenty of options let you build your Lanc anyway you want it, including paddle-blade props, early and late astrodomes and nose blisters, turret and H2S blanking plates, various antenna fits, and decal options for either a Mk. I or Mk. III. The fully detailed fuselage contains a relatively complete flight deck. Radiator fronts are split with two different grille patterns and include exit ramps and rear surface detail as well. Two reasonably detailed Merlin engines also are included, as well as a full bomb bay that shows off the Lanc's load-carrying ability - and hints of future versions.
Construction was completely uneventful - the fit of everything is outstanding. The only filler I used was a touch of putty at the front and rear of the bomb bay (although I think that gap was my fault, not the kit's) and a little Mr. Surfacer at the wing roots.
The inner nacelles include full wheel wells with truss work and the Lancaster's formidable-looking landing gear. The parts almost click into place, tempting me to not even glue them (I did, though).
Elsewhere, the kit's engineering is equally thoughtful, with molded spars for the wings and stabilizers. About the only parts lacking detail are the wheel hubs and guns (although the turrets do have some basic detail).
The design and fit of the clear parts was so good I really wish I hadn't lost the rear half of the rear turret. I had to use a Falcon replacement, which fit with slight modification.
Both marking options are colorful and include nose art. I left off all the glass (since the fit was so good) and painted the kit using paper masks made from the camouflage pattern in the instructions. The separate canopies soaked up a lot of time for masking - a mask set would be wonderful on this airplane.
I initially worried about the decals because they had a very flat finish and looked a little thick. But, no problem - with setting solution they looked painted on. The white areas were nice and opaque, too.
Be careful with the instructions for the many red jacking stencils - the inner and outer lines for the stabilizer decals are reversed on the instructions, and I think there may be errors on some of the others as well. I should have paid more attention to the angles on the actual decals than to the numbered callouts in the instructions. Revell Germany doesn't mention it, but the outer wing-walk decals include angled ends to match the roundels and should be placed first.
Once everything was decaled, there was still a lot of assembly left - this is a big airplane! I got tired of painting little bombs, so my Lanc is a little underarmed, but the doors and bomb load fit well. After a final flat coat and attaching all the remaining bits and pieces, my Lanc was done - I'll add the characteristic exhaust staining later.
Revell Germany has put together an excellent kit that makes a great-looking Lancaster. I spent about 20 hours on mine, mostly masking and painting, and had a great time building this legend.
I can recommend this kit to all modelers who can handle the masking - or to those willing to wait for a masking set to be released.
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