A Lancaster for Theo

[clipper1801]

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This is a test page for the new upload process, more to follow, hopefully . . . .

[clipper1801]

Ooooooo, it seems to work, Clipper is back in business . . .

[Maverick]

We eagerly await the progress report of the Lanc....

Mav

[clipper1801]

Okay, back to the beginning of the story . . . your 5 year old grandson says, Papa come see your favorite big black airplane! So its of to MOTAT . . .

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That evening at home he decides we need to make one! So he gets to his ever present roll of paper and starts to draw the Lanc in markers . . .

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And he draws . . .

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Suddenly its time for bed . . . :(

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That's OK, Papa will finish the bits for tomorrow! Man, its fun being a grandfather!

[clipper1801]

Day 2, Papa has been busy, first the matrix, he chooses the elves fave material, 1/4" Foamboard. Happy to find it is available in the NZ he purchases two sheets, one in white and the other, by cool happenstance in black!

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Then from memory and a handy side view, the planning begins . . . must be big, must be accurate, must be nearly indestructible, and Papa, can it hold my little people for its crew?

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So, we need patterns. Sheet of poster board suffices, the bits are sketched and cut out . . .

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Then the elves traced them onto the appropriate color foam board . . . wings would need a top and bottom, fuselage splits on the horizontal camo line etc . . .

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Lots of cutting, plan is to have Theo do the assembly so things were kept simplistic and easy, he is a master at Lego builds and knows how to steer an Xacto knife without leaking blood and he has his very own hot melt glue gun!

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Wings and tail feathers all duplicated for color effect and also for making the Lanc as kid proof as possible . . .

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On Theo's workbench, everything has been successfully assembled, he had need of little help! Bottom view all black, note the engine nacelles were double thick for effect and the fuselage is 1.25" wide to accommodate the dowel crew . . .

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Top view, you can see the open cockpit for crew access, the nose turret is also open for a gunner. Both turrets are from gum ball machine toys containers . . .

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Finished assembly, the little guy is quite happy with the Lanc! notice we are in pajamas again . . .

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Look Papa, at night the baddies can't see the Lanc because its black! Indeed . . . !

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And its camo time! Break out the markers . . .

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Rats! Bed time again! This time the Lanc can sleep over . . .

[clipper1801]

Day 3, woke up and finished the Lanc camo before breakfast! Happy owner, even happier Papa!

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So wonderful to have sons who love to make things like dad, even so much more wonderful to see my son passing on the skills to his son! The Clipper Legacy continues . . . 5 generations so far . . .

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Just noticed his Lego/Airfix Spit flying escort!

[Stumptonian]

Grandsons bring out the best in us, eh, David.

What a great project for you to bond over.
:sAprvd:

[Teaticket]

Wonderful project to share with the grandkid. Great to see the continuing saga of the Clipper and family, with elves of course.

[Naharaht]

Congratulations to you and your grandson, David! :thumbsup:

[milcoll73]

wonderful!!!

[gully_raker]

:thumbsup: Fantastic to see that David.
So worthy of Rep which is inbound. ;)

[matt56]

Very cool report from Kiwi country - he sure looks the happy little lad!:sAprvd: So glad you and Mrs. Clipper got to spend a nice long visit with them all.

All the best,
Matt

[Marechallannes]

Nice work!

The Lancaster is a beautiful plane! :thumbsup:

[Flying Helmut]

Clipper-tastic! :clap::clap:

[Jager]

Looks like the elves follow to the third generation ;)
A wonder build for a lucky grandson.
:salute:
Karl

[clipper1801]

I remember making a 30" foam board Millennium falcon for his dad at the same age, in a galaxy far, far, away . . .