Avro Merlin (Super Lancaster)

[McColm]

I'm kitbashing two Revell models which are both secondhand and don't have all the parts to make the individual kits. The two kits are the Avro Shackleton MR.3 and the  Avro Lancaster Mk1/3 .
The build so far is that the interior glazing,  cockpit area, bomb bay and both fuselage halves have been glued together.  The bomb bay doors are in the open position,  at the rear the Lancaster tail cut up to the bomb bay has been grafted on,  so to has the upper fuselage turret surrounding. The nose wheel was in place until it snapped off. The wingtips now have the AeroClub resin Shackleton AEW. 2 rounded wingtips.
The engines will come from the Lancaster kit,  I might add another pair of Merlin engines on the outer wings and keep the original tail fins,  I will see if the Lancaster nose will fit in the front of the Avro Merlin.

[McColm]

Well I have gone down the route of the Avro Lincoln on the engine front. The  Griffons now have a three bladed propeller,  the exhaust pipes have been cut off as well. The upper turret has also been removed.
The Merlin now has a flat nose but will retain its guns.
I have to admit that this Shackleton is looking more like a wide Avro Lincoln as I have just found a vacform nose part that fits at the front bulkhead on the Revell/Frog model.
With a side window in the nose it might be mistaken for the Mk32, although this kitbash is slightly longer than the Lincoln. It still needs filler/puty before I fit the inner engines.

[McColm]

I should rename this the Avro Super Lincoln as I have added the twin fins from the Revell Avro Lancaster B.III. As I have the 617 Squadron decals it's only fitting I use them on this build and the colour scheme as well.