This model was based on the Lancaster S-Sugar which is the one in the RAF museum at Hendon. The aircraft was originally designated Q-Queenie and was based with 83 squadron at Scampton. It was the first Lancaster to fly 100 missions over enemy territory and completed 135 missions in all the later ones as S-Sugar and flying with 463 and 467 RAAF Squadrons from RAF Waddington. The model is scratch built using balsa wood and is powered by 4 no. 8cc glow plug diesel engines. There are 4 fuel tanks each of 9 fl. oz. capacity and pressurised from the exhaust muffler of the engine which the tank serves giving a total flying time of around 10 minutes. The model is 6 channel radio control and the controls operate the following :-
Channel 1 - Retractable undercarriage, Channel 2 - Bomb Bay Doors, Channel 3 - Ailerons, Channel 4 - Elevators, Channel 5 - Rudders, Channel 6 - Throttles.
The navigation lights are also operational although they can only be switched on or off when the aircraft is not in flight.
The model took around 2500 hours to construct and the details of the model are as follows :- Wing Span - 8 feet 9 inches , Length 5 feet 8 inches , Engines 4 no. 8 cc glow plug SC engines , Propellers 4 no. 10 x 6 inch three bladed single pitch , Weight 27.5 lbs. ( 28 lbs. with full fuel load)
The engines are throttled individually using cable snakes and all the cables connected to a single servo motor so that the single movement of the servo opens or closes the throttles by the same amount thus keeping the engines in synchronisation. Each engine has its own fuel 8.5 fl. oz fuel tank which is pressurised from the exhaust muffler of the engine and feeds the engine through an in line filter on the fuel supply line. The engines have an idle speed of 9000 rpm and a maximum engine speed of 27,000 rpm. Each engine drives a 10 x 6 inch single pitch three bladed propeller.
The retractable landing gear is operated by a servo acting on a double pole single throw switch controlling a 12 volt reversible electric motor driving a coarse threaded worm and yoke by means of a universal joint. The yoke is connected to a transvers rod linked to a bridle arrangement acting on the rear struts of the undercarriage. The undercarriage doors are operated by linkages connected to the forward struts of the undercarriage.
The Bomb Bay doors are controlled by a servo motor operating longitudinal rods connected to the front and rear ends of each door.
Ailerons , elevators and rudders are each controlled by separate servos acting through an arrangement of rods and bellcranks.
Th cockpit canopy and gun turrets were made from 1/16" thk. sheet brass cut into 3/32" wide strips and bent and formed over formers made from scrap balsa then soldered together to construct the frame for the relevant turret or canopy. The clear parts of the canopies was made from acrylic sheet heated and formed over the respective balsa former.
The various crew figures are childrens plastic toy figures cut and remodelled to suit the particular location and attitude of each crew member.
Access covers have been provided in various places on the model to allow adjustment to various controls or removal of motors, engines or servos.
The fuselage, main wing, tailplanes and rudders are all covered with balsa sheet 3/32" thk. The main wing is constructed of a framework of ribs cut from 1/4" thk. sheet balsawood glued to two main spars which were cut from 3/8" thk. sheet balsa. The fuselage is made from 1/4" thk. plywood formers joined by 1/4" x 1/4" balsawood stringers.