[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

...... As I have said before between my motorcycles, guitars and other pursuits diecast is fading.......

because values usually plummet with models but my guitars and scoots go up.

Blimey Chiefs, looks like we've got more in common then I thought !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Totally agree with ya on the price & collectability factor..........

& putting 'em in context...... how close they are to your heart !!!!!!!!!

Had to declare mine, during the recent divorce !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by dboulais

I'm having trouble finding out exactly what model of Lancaster the real "`Phantom Of The Rhur` was. Does anybody have that information close at hand?

Yeah, Hi dboulais..........

The REAL Avro Lancaster "Phantom of the Ruhr" was a B.111 (with Canadian-built Packard-Merlins)

She was serial No. EE.139 & completed a total 121 missions over Europe !!!!!!!!!!!!


She served with No. 100 Sqdn at Waltham, from June 1943...........

Flew 33 missions with 100 Sqdn - then, thereafter...........


Transferred to No. 550 Sqdn at North Killingholme, from November 1943

By early-September 1944 EE.139 had reached her 100th mission.........

Her last mission was flown on 21st Nov' 1944

Being attacked & damaged (& repaired !) numerous times, she was finally taken off of operations with a (suspected) 'twisted-airframe', as her handling characteristics had gotten REALLY bad !!!!!!!

She was sent to an H.C.U. (Heavy Conversion Unit), surviving the war ( & 'Ham-Fisted training 'Students' !!!!!), only to be scrapped in Feb' 1946 !!!!!!!!!


Although she originally wore the codes......... FZ*A within a month, she had been 'Re-coded' within 100 Sqdn.

She flew only 4 operational missions as FZ*A


From July '43, she was HW*R (which is on one side of the model........) still in 100 Sqdn.

From Nov' 43 she was BQ*B (on the OTHER side of the model..........) which are 550's markings.......

So, for the "Lions-share" of her missions, she was coded BQ*B - I've seen numerous pictures of her in publications, wearing these Squadron-codes, as she was (obviously) a famous 'Old-Girl' !!!!!!

Before 'slaughtering'/criticising the 'dual-markings' (Guys !), remember, both were appropriate to EE.139


Obviously it would have been nice to see her (JUST) marked-up as BQ*B as that was her "Sdqn-codes" for 88 missions !!!!!!!!

However, the model IS marked up as PA.474 - which is the REAL serial of the BBMF's beautiful Flying-Lancaster, based at Coningsby across the bay from where I live !

The BBMF have ALWAYS had a 'Rotational'-scheme since she was marked as KM*B (Nettleton's 'Augsberg' Lancaster), way back in the '70's - so it's a common practise of 'representation'..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, no 'Griping', boys !!!!!!!!!!!

[dboulais]

Hello Hornchurch,
Thank you, for the great information. I didn't realize that some RAF aircraft went through so many finish / code changes with the planes being swapped around between units so often.
Thank you,
Dennis

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by dboulais

Hello Hornchurch,
Thank you, for the great information. I didn't realize that some RAF aircraft went through so many finish / code changes with the planes being swapped around between units so often.
Thank you,
Dennis

What can one say - the Brits are fickle and indecisive, surely not?

[dilligafocau]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

What can one say - the Brits are fickle and indecisive, surely not?

We thought we were indecisive, but now we're not so sure

Have you called Modelzone yet Cardinal? It would be a Cardinal sin to miss out on this one

[parsig9]

I just emailed MZ Croydon about the POTR. croydon@modelzone.co.uk

Will let you know what I hear. Why do I do it?


How am I gonna get this thing in the house?

[jim]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

What can one say - the Brits are fickle and indecisive, surely not?

No not really, they just used to repaint em and then send them back into the line saying they were new ones!!!!!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by parsig9

I just emailed MZ Croydon about the POTR. croydon@modelzone.co.uk

Will let you know what I hear. Why do I do it?


How am I gonna get this thing in the house?

Yes, do let us know what you find out...

[dilligafocau]

Originally Posted by parsig9

I just emailed MZ Croydon about the POTR. croydon@modelzone.co.uk

Will let you know what I hear. Why do I do it?


How am I gonna get this thing in the house?

Might be better calling them parsig9

Ive sent several emails to them (Croydon, Holborn & general web addy) with no reply. I called the Holborn shop & placed an order 4 days ago & have not heard anything since, I'll call again tonight & chase them up


BTW Tricatus's latest update has the POTR Lancaster in all its glory

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by dilligafocau

Might be better calling them parsig9

Ive sent several emails to them (Croydon, Holborn & general web addy) with no reply. I called the Holborn shop & placed an order 4 days ago & have not heard anything since, I'll call again tonight & chase them up


BTW Tricatus's latest update has the POTR Lancaster in all its glory

Thanks for the tip! I may do that but still give them a couple days to write me back. Tri's pics are great!