Lancaster Canopy

[Uncarina]

Note: I'm excerpting this from my build thread of Sugar's Blues (https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/87351-sugars-blues-late-war-rcaf-lancaster/page/14/) because I thought it would be more accessible here. I wanted to discuss something often not brought up with the Lancaster canopy:

 

 

 

 

See the difference? On some aircraft the highlighted framing appears external , while on others it appears internal and riveted to the perspex, like that of the Mosquito. Specifically, the frames in question are the third overhead frame from the front (it's a partial frame to account for the side blisters), the horizontal frame that extends aft of the cockpit cutout, and the last vertical section before the observation blister. Some aircraft appear to have all of these internal, some only some of the frames. Not sure the reason, though drawings suggest that an external frame piece was present on some canopies and not others. The HK Lancaster kit has only external frames depicted, and if you choose to display your build with only the internal frames for the relevant sections, some sanding and polishing will be in order, along with adding these frames to the inside. More reference photos:

 

 

 

 

 

And for funsies, the WNW kit:

 

 

Hope this helps, and feel free to add more information here if you come across it.

 

Cheers, Tom

 

 

[Dennis7423]

Thank you Tom! This is very helpful. Sadly, with the way I have constructed mine, I will have to destruct some of the framework in order to accomplish what we're seeing here. I am going to contemplate just how far into the weeds I want to go... I see there are several others that I would need to correct. It's all part of the fun!

 

- Dennis S.

   Thornton, CO USA

[Uncarina]

Dennis, nothing here takes away from your great work! I spent a lot of time this morning googling images until my eyes were sore, and only then saw what a variable playing field this really is. Plus, I don't see any reason why your subject aircraft did not have the frames as you are depicting them at some point.

 

Cheers, Tom

[Bomber Command nut]

Its certainly a minefield  . . .

Its going to be quite difficult to determine exactly which frames are present although I dare in time, after looking/research, one will be able to say . . . 

"if those vertical/horizontal frames are not there then  . . . . "

 

I only have a front 3/4 view of my particular Lancaster nose and the details on the canopy frame are not clear so will go 'safe' and build as per 'normal' . . . 

The internal frame for the canopy however is a constant.

 

Its a subject I shall now continuously be looking at,  it seems to be more common then I initially thought

Cheers for that Tom

Ian

[Finn]

Here is another one:

 

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtJCLord/Images/LordCrewPhoto1.jpg

 

Jari

Edited February 18, 2021 by Finn

[Uncarina]

Thanks Jari! Another great photo.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Finn]

One more:

 

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtRThomas/Images/FlLtAThomasCrew-ND972.jpg

 

Jari

[Finn]

Not a close up but at a good angle that shows the canopy:

 

Jari

[Dennis7423]

11 minutes ago, Finn said:

Not a close up but at a good angle that shows the canopy:

 

Jari

 

That is an outstanding photo!

 

- Dennis S.

   Thornton, CO USA

[Bomber Command nut]

1 hour ago, Finn said:

Not a close up but at a good angle that shows the canopy:

 

Jari

Thats my pal Bob Peterson on the left with (cant remember) LM739 'Grogs the Shot ' at Elsham Wolds in May 1945 - Ted Forbes was the skipper and they flew with 100 Squadron

[Uncarina]

That’s just the kind of photo I was looking for but couldn’t find this morning. Ian, it’s great that you have such a direct connection with this aircraft. No wonder you wrote a book on the subject!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Uncarina]

5 hours ago, Finn said:

Not a close up but at a good angle that shows the canopy:

 

Jari

Note if you right click and open in a new tab the photo is shown in a larger size. Jari, you are a magician!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Bomber Command nut]

14 hours ago, Dennis7423 said:

Thank you Tom! This is very helpful. Sadly, with the way I have constructed mine, I will have to destruct some of the framework in order to accomplish what we're seeing here. I am going to contemplate just how far into the weeds I want to go... I see there are several others that I would need to correct. It's all part of the fun!

 

- Dennis S.

   Thornton, CO USA

Dennis

The photos I posted to you showing the Phantom, on the starboard side one photo had the crew sat by the rear of the canopy I hope that is/was helpful  . .. . .

Ian

[Wackyracer]

Not the absolute best, but my grandfather and the Lanc he flew in (Flight Engineer)

 

 

 

And the return after an unfortunate encounter with another Lanc 

 

 

 

Collision over Germany - from 550 Squadron Summary of Ops -  30th November 1944 (D plus 174)

 

All of our aircraft landed safely, including P(F/O Summons), which after colliding with another aircraft on route to the target was coaxed on its two port engines alone through a gauntlet of flak towards Dusseldorf. Good airmanship and richly-deserved good luck (which unhappily deserted the other victim - an aircraft from a sister squadron) brought the unfortunate episode for F/O Summons and his crew. Losing height and weaving as much as it dared, P presented a sitting a solitary target for Jerry's guns. A run was made on a built up area, believed Dusseldorf, where in far from ideal conditions the bomb aimer deployed his entire load - minus one bomb tail - well and truly laid.... a truly remarkable performance, as was discovered on subsequent inspection of the mangled bomb bay. Thereafter, losing height on a "Home, James!" course, was escorted on the finishing 'straight' by a Spitfire, BQ-P touched down at Manston with a dignity that belied its crumpled propellers, and disembarked its crew entirely unscathed.

[Derek B]

11 minutes ago, Wackyracer said:

All of our aircraft landed safely, including P(F/O Summons), which after colliding with another aircraft on route to the target was coaxed on its two port engines alone through a gauntlet of flak towards Dusseldorf. Good airmanship and richly-deserved good luck (which unhappily deserted the other victim - an aircraft from a sister squadron) brought the unfortunate episode for F/O Summons and his crew. Losing height and weaving as much as it dared, P presented a sitting a solitary target for Jerry's guns. A run was made on a built up area, believed Dusseldorf, where in far from ideal conditions the bomb aimer deployed his entire load - minus one bomb tail - well and truly laid.... a truly remarkable performance, as was discovered on subsequent inspection of the mangled bomb bay. Thereafter, losing height on a "Home, James!" course, was escorted on the finishing 'straight' by a Spitfire, BQ-P touched down at Manston with a dignity that belied its crumpled propellers, and disembarked its crew entirely unscathed.

 

Amazing story (and bravery), thank you.

 

Derek