Whitley-project in scale…questions are looking for answers

Alex,

Just the man I was looking for. I saw your complete Whitley in the march issue of scale aircraft modelling. I was blown away by the craftsmanschip.
It inspired me to scratchbuild my own version in 1/32.

See here:

http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/393-aw-whitley-mk-v-a-journey/

I have the tail almost completed, can you tell me where you got you information from apart from Elliott?

Cees

Hi guys,
The model is finished in Coastal Command’s colors. Any additional comments, would be appreciated. Thank you.
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?105300-A-Whitley-story-in-scale&goto=newpost

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Hi Whitley’s guys! All your comments and information were evaluated and applied to model al ready.

For those who are interested in, be my guest please.:)

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=105300&page=2

Alex,

The work you have been doing on the Whitley made me learn much more about the Whitley’s interior than ever before.

Makes me want to start a Whitley too, nearly finished my Manchester conversion by chopping up a Grand Slam Lanc.

Cheers

Cees

TNX Walter!!

RECEIVED!

I’ll wait for your stuff!

FN16 turret

E-mail sent Alex.

Cheers,

Walter

Ulster Aviation Society have a Fn4 on display.
http://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/#/fn4a-turret-restoration/4544236363

Thanks Peter.

BUT..its not your fault. I’m stupid. I was meaning the Whitley’s Front turret FN.16…

So my question concerns FN16…NOT FN4.

I apologize!!! 😮

I hope my sample will help U to understand what I mean…

Ulster Aviation Society have a Fn4 on display.
http://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/#/fn4a-turret-restoration/4544236363

For FN.16 turret experts

For FN.16 turret experts

Can anybody advise me, which of the turret’s frames, were located outside of the cupola? I’m very confused and pics do not help me a lot to understand which turret’s members are located exterior or interior…

Hi Alex – thats a handle mounted on the canopy frame. I have remains of one – its made of leather. I have a nice photo of the fuel tank – ill email you a pic.

Hi Elliott. So nice to hear U again!:)

Thank U for the info. On the main canopy’s frame therefore!

What was its use, anyway?

Have you got any pic, or drawing for the escape hatch Lock?

I will be waiting for your fuel tank pic!!!

Cheers
Alex

Hi Alex – thats a handle mounted on the canopy frame. I have remains of one – its made of leather. I have a nice photo of the fuel tank – ill email you a pic.

Hi Mark,

This “handle”…is located exactly on the edge of the escape hatch, above pilot’s seat. Navigator sits far back. His flare pistol is placed on the bulkhead beside his table.

The problem…is WHERE exactly…

Located ON the escape hatch
or
Located ON the canopy’s frame.

I’m asking that, because i will leave the escape hatch open…

No evidence for it, but question number 2, the curved thick handle looks more like the handle of an Aldis signalling lamp, and its possible the body is partly visible as well?

Is it stowed in the cockpit directly above the navigator for signalling to towers etc?

regards

Mark Pilkington

Whitley project asking for answers

Hi guys…
I have posted some progress here
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=105300

but I’m looking for some answers before going further…

Question No: 1
Where shall i locate the fuel cap on the main body’s tank? I’m confused…:(

————————————————————————-

Question No: 2
What is this, marked into the yellow circle on the pic bellow? Escape hatchehandle maybe?

I would appreciate for any documented answers, please

Regards
Alex Kontiveis.

That would be very interesting but I’m not able to watch this in Greece.

For those who are interested about my project, I have posted a new update today…

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=105300

Thank U ALL!

Alex

Whitley on Film

Last night on TV – there was a programme on the channel YESTERDAY – which was about pathfinder navigators. It was part of the Heroes of WW2 series.

Near the beginning is a piece of film from inside a Whitley. One brief shot of the instrument panel showed two separate shades.

It may be of interest to someone.

Hi Mark,

Just to illustrate my point. I have taken one of your photos, and simply made it a b/w image.

If you didn’t know which colour they were all to start with, what colour would you interperate these to be?

I think it should be Choice 1 – overall black, and below I give my reasoning.

– The official direction for aircraft instrument panels of that era was black.
– Although the blind flying panel obviously looks black in comparison, the other two panels highlighted are at different angles to the viewer (camera lens) so will reflect the flash differently, making them appear lighter, or a different colour.

I definitely think the lighter panels only appear so, because of how they are reflecting the light.

Try setting up 3 identical black panels at the same relative angles to each other, as those shown on this Whitley image, and you will produce exactly the same affect if you photograph it with a flash camera.

I dont think the “colour” difference is due to any flash, that was to be my next test, but its not dark enough yet for my flash to have any effect (some of the photos in the post above are with flash and show no effect).

I think the obvious reflected light that is present in these photos is coming down through the canopy, and then reflecting into the camera due to the angle of the main panel, note there is bright reflection on many of the instruments in the centre if the main (inclined) panel but absolutely no light reflection in the BFP instrument glasses, yet these are perpendicular to any flash and would be expected to glare or reflect back.

Note that the colour is still not “black” even where the panel is shaded from the light above, it clearly seems to be different to the BFP, the question is, is it a different “colour”, or a different “finish”, or both?

I would describe my “ripple” or crystalline panel as being “dark charcoal” rather than “jet black” as compared to my gloss and flat black panels.

It would be interesting to know if Elliotts panel remanent with black paint is the crytalline or ripple finish?

So far, from examining the light reflections on my own 3 samples and the pilots note photos above, I personally still dont think a gloss or matt finished black instrument panel would exhibit what is shown in the photos above from either camera flash or natural light entry from the canopy.

I do think the crystalline or ripple finish might, especially if it is the “dark charcoal” rather than “pitch black” colour as per my example, particularly the way the shading changes across the surface.

regards

Mark Pilkington

As I suggested, try an experiment to photograph some instrument panels angled differently to each other. I think too much can be read into black and white shaded photo’s. Light and shade plays too many tricks.

Here are some pics taken today of three different panel finishes, a gloss panel, a matt panel (in very poor condition) and a ripple finish.

The photos are inconclusive in proving a definative answer, but the different light reflections of the ripple finish does support the main panel being of that finish and the reflection at different angle producing a different “colour”.

The angle of photo of the matt black does little to change its “colour”. (admittedly my example is a very poor example), the gloss panel flares or glares under reflection.

Also I consider my ripple or crystalline finished panel is not the same black as the other two panels, I would describe it as “dark charcoal”, is this typical of other such panels?

regards

Mark Pillkington

I realise what you are saying about the angles of the panels in relation to each other, but compare to the black (that we know) fittings and controls in the angled portion of the main panel itself.
It would seem odd to be painted differently to black as Elliot and yourself say though.

Hi pagen01,

The black fittings mounted on this panel will always appear darker, because they are made of a different material with a different surface finish.

These fittings, predominantly made of bakelite are a very deep black in colour in comparison with sprayed matt black. Also, many of these bakelite fittings are rounded bezels, which will reflect the light back to the viewpoint in a very different way too.

As I suggested, try an experiment to photograph some instrument panels angled differently to each other. I think too much can be read into black and white shaded photo’s. Light and shade plays too many tricks.