Posted: 26 Aug 2006, 22:24
I too succumbed - frankly it's not worth 30 notes. I have been a Lancaster nut for about 30 years and the most screaming inaccuracies I noticed immediately are (and I've only done about 20mins with it):
1. The shape of the nose underneath and right behind the bomb aiming blister is very noticably wrong - and I'm not being picky - it is very obvious to me.
2. The blister itself is the more rounded shape fitted to late war Lancs and while it could be correct for all the models depicted - there is no way it was on the prototype. Likewise the late model clearview panel right behind and underneath it.
3. All models have the late war 'paddle' prop blades. Again - while most Lancs were retro-fitted with these (including Hendon's R5868 when she became S-Sugar) this is definitely wrong for the prototype. No great research needed here - evident in Garbet and Goulding's 'Lancaster At War' books. Early Lancs had needle shaped blade tips. Oh, and fuselage windows as well ...
4. Textures don't look great on my machine - esp on the 'wartime' models where there don't seem to be any panel lines on the nacelles. Plus - glaringly - there is a severe mismatch on the aft starboard side of the fuselage where the 'night' meets the upper camo. And the walk lines on the wings are too thick, too straight, font too big.
It does have a decent VC though and although I can't remember when I last flew a real Lancaster - it feels right to fly
Like I said - I hate to be picky, if I had paid 15 - 20 quid, I would keep my mouth shut and live with it, but not at this price. Even if you do get a Mossie as well.
I'll put my bottom lip back in now ...
1. The shape of the nose underneath and right behind the bomb aiming blister is very noticably wrong - and I'm not being picky - it is very obvious to me.
2. The blister itself is the more rounded shape fitted to late war Lancs and while it could be correct for all the models depicted - there is no way it was on the prototype. Likewise the late model clearview panel right behind and underneath it.
3. All models have the late war 'paddle' prop blades. Again - while most Lancs were retro-fitted with these (including Hendon's R5868 when she became S-Sugar) this is definitely wrong for the prototype. No great research needed here - evident in Garbet and Goulding's 'Lancaster At War' books. Early Lancs had needle shaped blade tips. Oh, and fuselage windows as well ...
4. Textures don't look great on my machine - esp on the 'wartime' models where there don't seem to be any panel lines on the nacelles. Plus - glaringly - there is a severe mismatch on the aft starboard side of the fuselage where the 'night' meets the upper camo. And the walk lines on the wings are too thick, too straight, font too big.
It does have a decent VC though and although I can't remember when I last flew a real Lancaster - it feels right to fly
Like I said - I hate to be picky, if I had paid 15 - 20 quid, I would keep my mouth shut and live with it, but not at this price. Even if you do get a Mossie as well.
I'll put my bottom lip back in now ...