1/72 Revell Avro Lancaster "Dambuster"

by Konley Kelley

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On May 17, 1943, nearly 350 million gallons of water poured onto the German countryside after Lancasters from 617 Squadron breached the Moehne and Eder Dams using 10,000 lb. "bouncing bombs" designed by British inventor, Dr. Barnes Wallis.

Code-named "Operation Chastise," the attack was led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. The squadron flew deep into Germany at tree-top level to avoid detection.  The cylindrical bombs needed to be spun using a special suspension mechanism attached to the aircraft.  If the bombs were dropped exactly 60 ft. above the water, the backspin and forward momentum would enable the bomb to skip on the water and, upon impact with the dam, plunged to a depth that in theory would most heavily damage the dam wall. 

The theory worked and two of the four dams targeted on the mission were destroyed.

In the attached image, Guy Gibson's aircraft is circling the dam to draw fire away from another aircraft that has dealt the final blow to the Moehne dam.  Each aircraft was fitted with spotlights.  When the beams crossed, the pilot would know if he was flying 60 ft. above the surface of the lake and able to effectively drop his bomb.

Of the 19 Lancasters and 133 airmen that took part in the mission, eight aircraft and 53 crew would not return.  For his actions that night, Guy Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross. 

THE IMAGE
The aircraft is the Revell 1:72 Avro Lancaster "Dambuster" kit.   Inspired by a painting by Robert Taylor, I created the background landscape, dam, smoke and fire effects using 3D software and Photoshop.  The Revell kit was a fun build and I am about to attach the "bouncing bomb" to Guy Gibson's Lanc now that the image is done.

For more "Famous Bombers in 1:72 Scale" see
http://home1.gte.net/konman/index.html

Konley

Photos and text © by Konley Kelley