I just bought a 1/72 Matchbox Lancaster (PK-602) kit on Ebay. It was advertised as being complete, but without decals and instructions, but I figured that would be no problem as I plan on using aftermarket decals anyhow.
Well, I got it in the mail today, and it wasn’t quite what I expected. What was actually in the box was 3 sprues from the Lanc, and 4 sprues from, of all things, a Matchbox Stranraer (PK-601).
Unfortunately, neither kit was complete, the Stranraer missing all the clear parts and the Lanc missing the clear parts and one entire sprue, PK-602C. Neither, of course, had instructions.
So, what I am looking for is this…At the very least, if somebody has the instruction sheets for these 2 kits, could I get a xerox of them please? I can reimburse for postage and copying. Also, if somebody happens to have the missing sprues in a spare parts box, I would be willing to reimburse postage and costs for them at a fair price.
I know most of you here are probably more involved with the larger scales and are more detail oriented than I, not that thats a bad thing - it makes for some wonderfully attractive models, but if anybody may have any of that in an old spares box, it would be most appreciated. Of course, I also realize that somebody having entire sprues of parts just hanging about is rather unlikely, but I thought I might give it a go anyhow.
I have both of those kits, however they’re likely not easily accessible.
I suggest that you find out what is missing on that Sprue “C” for the Lancaster, and see if you can scratch the details. You should be able to get vacform clear parts replacement, if not from Squadron, then from Falcon (www.falconmodels.co.nz).
As there are many lancaster kits in 1:72, you might find that the spare parts from a Revell Lancaster will be fine, for example, or you can obtain from Airfix (www.airfix.com) spares for a nominal cost.
Alternatively, perhaps you can return your bargain to the seller with a polite “thank you but no” note.
sprue C is the lower half of the wings, the lower halves of the engine nacelles, and half the landing gear, plus a few other parts I can’t quite make out, so scratchbuilding is kinda out for those, at least for me anyhow. I managed to find a pic online at a website called Kit Previews, I think it was, so I was able to compare what I have with what I don’t.
Good idea about the Vaform canopies! I admit, I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks! Trying to get the spares from Airfix or Revell may be a plan also. I may give that a go.
The same thing happened to me but with a Frog Lanc. - parts missing and broken in a supposedly ‘complete’ kit. If you want it to marry the parts together you’re welcome to it.
More to the point, I have a Matchbox Stranny somewhere in my horde. I’ll scan the instructions and create a PDF which I can send you as an attachment if you then supply your email.
Thanks for the offer, but I decided to just go ahead and send it back. Parts were next to impossible to get, and I didn’t need a “spares” box hanging about considering what I paid for the thing. So, I asked for a refund, and went and bought a COMPLETE [:)] Lanc at my local hobby shop.
But, had an interesting development to the story today. I had sent an email to the seller requesting his address so I could send the kit back. A couple days later (today) I got a reply from him saying that in order to save me the postage, he’ll refund my money, but that I can keep the incomplete kits.
So, it looks like I’m back to “square one” with the Strany! [;)] If the offer of Photocopied Strany instructions is still open…I’ll take them, please.
I think I may do the Lanc as a Diorama, perhaps. Since its the bottom half of the wings missing, and half the landing gear, along with a couple nacelles, Thought I may try and do it as a crashed Lanc. That might be able to hide the shortages in parts, maybe. Of course, I am open to suggestions as to how to do this. I have built a couple small HO scale layouts, so I am familiar with the basics of terrain and landscaping, but I have never done a full on aircraft dioramaa before. I may start trying to find some pics of downed Lancs, that may be a good start? If anybody has links to some interesting pics, just let me know!
Thanks. That would be nice. Yes, I’m in the US, at least they keep telling us it is since the failed attempt at independance a few years back (joke…thats a joke). Georgia to be precise. I can PM you my snailmail address
