Wellington MkIII - 1/48 Trumpeter

[Cymru]

I had this kit on back-order for several months and it has been screaming "BUILD ME" ever since it arrived, so here goes...

The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engined, long-range medium bomber. It was designed during the mid-1930's at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, led by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer Rex Pierson; a key feature of the aircraft is its geodesic fuselage structure, principally designed by Barnes Wallis. Development had been started in response to Air Ministry Specification B.9/32; issued in the middle of 1932, this called for a twin-engined day bomber capable of delivering higher performance than any previous design. Other aircraft developed to the same specification include the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and the Handley Page Hampden. During the development process, performance requirements such as for the tare weight changed substantially, as well as the power-plant for the type being swapped.

The Wellington was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, performing as one of the principal bombers used by Bomber Command. During 1943, it started to be superseded as a bomber by the larger four-engined "heavies" such as the Avro Lancaster. The Wellington continued to serve throughout the war in other duties, particularly as an anti-submarine aircraft. It holds the distinction of being the only British bomber to be produced for the duration of the war and of being produced in a greater quantity than any other British-built bomber. The Wellington remained as first-line equipment when the war ended, although it had been increasing relegated to secondary roles. The Wellington was one of two bombers named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, the other being the Vickers Wellesley.

[Cymru]

Sprue shots...

[Cymru]

More sprue's...

[Cymru]

Yup, there's a shed load of plastic in this kit!

[SteveW]

Good luck mate. I'll be watching for hint and tips as I have this in the stash to do in the near future.

[Cymru]

Bombs and interior painted before a wash. Progress report...

[Cymru]

Progress report...

[Cymru]

Progress report...

[Cymru]

Progress report...

[Avgas]

Looking good.

[Cymru]

Looking good.

TKS, such a shame the detail will be lost
I have the fuselage buttoned up now and it's a pig of a fit....

[Cymru]

Progress report...

[Cymru]

Progress report...

[Cymru]

Progress report...

[Avgas]

You're doing a great job so far. I agree that it's a shame you'll loose all of that detail. I really don't know why kit makers do it, stick a load of internal detail in something and then have you loose it when you close the fuselage up. I'm doing a build at the moment and it has an internal bomb bay with all of the bombs etc. But the bomb bay doors don't open...