Hi,
I’ve decided to create a 617 Dambuster diorama.
I read in several books that the 617 aircraft were lifted, tail first, to load the upkeed bomb. Anyone got any info on how this was done. Alternatively any details of how a Lancaster is lifted by the tail. Lift points, slings etc.
I’m thinking of using the Coles Crane for the task and modelling G George with tail lifted. I’ll also need some info for the type of truck or trailer used to transport upkeep.
Using the new Revel 1/72nd scale RAF and German air crew box sets I can model Gibson and his dog.
Thanks,
Hampy.
By: irmurray - 12th August 2010 at 09:50
The Avro plans show the trolley as a modified Type E, with two rectangular bars (wooden I’d guess) added on the top (parallel to the wheel axles) atop which sat the Upkeep (also axis parallel to the wheel axles). There is a copy of this in Cooper’s “The Men Who Breached the Dams”.
Does anyone have a photo of a Type E trolley? I’ve found some Type F trolley images but it appears to differ from the plans of the type E in several respects.
Many thanks,
Iain.
By: davecurnock - 28th March 2010 at 19:50
Picture added to my first post hampden – good luck with the diorama!
By: davecurnock - 27th March 2010 at 20:13
As far as I know, the bomb trolleys were specially modified from the standard B-type – I believe that this included changes to the bomb cradles so that the Upkeep was carried with its cylindrical form across the width of the trolley, i.e. the flat ends of the weapon parallel to the side frames of the trolley.
I’m not an expert on this subject but stumbled across some of this info while researching something else (I got side-tracked!).
Hope this helps – and if anybody knows any better, please put us both out of our misery.
By: hampden98 - 27th March 2010 at 19:12
Would they be the typical bomb trolleys as used in the 1:72nd scale Stirling model? If so I can use them as well as the COLES Crane from the recovery set by Airfix. I’ll go for the sling idea so as not to damage or ruin the Lancaster.
What do you mean about the bomb position. Do you mean the bomb is carried `end on` on the trolley with the flat ends (of the bomb) fore and aft?
Thanks.
By: davecurnock - 27th March 2010 at 15:31
It has been documented that the tail was indeed lifted by a COLES crane as you suggest.
Differing reports indicate either the use of a sling passed around the rear fuselage, or, an eyebolt fitted to the top of the fuselage somewhere between the tail fins.
A modified RAF Type B bomb trolley was used with the bomb/mine/weapon carried at 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis.
Images of the actual ‘bombing up’ process are as scarce as rocking horse manure, so I wish you luck in your quest!
I have a couple of pictures of a COMPLETE Lancaster being lifted by two cranes – the rear lift arrangement shows the fuselage eyebolt being used together with a sling around the rear fuselage. Not sure if the ‘tail only’ lift would use this arrangement. I have seen another picture where the eyebolt is used to lift the tail end of a rear fuselage section, so this may have a weight limitation on its use. PM me your email address and i’ll send you the slinging pictures.
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March 27, 2010 at 11:54 am