Being able to examine something this rare almost on my doorstep will be something that I make the most of, as my interest in the full-sized machine inevitably morphs into one more concerned with its replication in miniature.
Several weeks ago, the RAF Museum Cosford’s social media team published updates showing that their newly refurbished Wellington had been placed, finally, on display within one of their impressive hangers. Living only a few miles from the collection, my friend, Haris Ali and I took a morning off to travel over to the museum to take a look. Here’s what we found…
Cosford’s Exhibit…
You can read about a little more about this important aircraft by visiting their website at the following address:
First Impressions…
Over the last decade, the restoration team at Cosford has worked tirelessly to complete this very important project. Over that time, visitors to the museum have been given the chance – once a year – to take a look at progress, as the restoration centre was opened up, to allow the curious to take a look inside. On several occasions we’ve been happy to do just that, seeing how the aircraft went from skin and bones, to a fully-formed exhibit that now takes pride of place within the Museum’s impressive collection of Second World War exhibits.
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Seeing the Wellington up close was a particularly personal pleasure, this being one of my favourite wartime bombers. Being able to examine something this rare almost on my doorstep will be something that I make the most of, as my interest in the full-sized machine inevitably morphs into one more concerned with its replication in miniature. Yes, I will be building another of these wonderful aircraft from the Airfix kit!
Further Thoughts…
Having decided to visit the museum, I decided that a quick video would show to more of the aircraft that just images, so here is that look around the Wellington. Be sure to watch it in the highest resolution setting and sorry about the audio being a little low – I forgot my microphone!
In Detail…
This aircraft is a very photogenic subject despite its ungainly lines and that drab camouflage. Everywhere you look there are interesting details and features that you enjoy taking in. As with any Second World War bomber you cannot help but be awestruck by the cramped conditions that the crew had to operate in and in the case of the Wellington with its fabric skin, just how little protection those poor souls would have had from gunfire and and shrapnel. Terrifying doesn’t really begin to describe it…
Here, for those that have yet to see the aircraft in the flesh, so to speak, are some detailed images that I hope you will enjoy looking at. Modellers will no doubt find much to inspire, that incredible geodetic construction and the aircraft’s fabric skin being something of a challenge for those wishing to have a go at building this aircraft in miniature.
In Miniature…
Several years ago I built the Airfix Wellington for a feature in Model Air Plane International, as well as my book “Radials”, which you can now download from the Pocketmags site by clicking the following link:
https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine
The Airfix kit really is a superb rendition of the Wellington, offering a huge amount of detail, both inside and out, as can be seen in the images that accompany this feature.
I certainly enjoyed building my model and look forward to having another go at some point in the future! My model was built from their 2018 release which has now been superseded by their upcoming 2023 offering of the Mk.1A/C, details of which can be found here.
I have a new book out!
If you like my work, you will be interested to know that I have a new book out. Dedicated to the construction of the Airfix Hunter, this new modelling guide will show you how to build, paint and convert the kit for you collection. For further information, please visit the follow update where til will find more information about the book and how to order a copy for your library.
thekitbox.org/2023/04/06/hunter-the-modelling-guide-that-you-need/
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
Fantastic! Cheers Spencer!! I really need to visit Cosford again as it’s only an hours drive from me.
The last time I was there the Blenheim had not long arrived and was being put back together so I’d really like to see that and the Wellington.
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Thanks for the video and pictures, Spencer, she looks stunning. I last saw the aircraft in 2014 in the restoration hanger next to the Dornier 17 which had just been fished out of the North Sea. The fuselage had no skin covering the geodesic frame but there was a rear turret attached. The Hampden nearby undergoing restoration was noteworthy too. I visited the museum last year but that hangar was not open unfortunately. I must pencil in another visit soon.
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Thank you for sharing!
I was reminded that I had not been in Cosford with a decade now, which is a shame. I really, really need to go back. Now there is one more reason to go. 😍
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Great photos. To be honest, when I worked for the Museum (2013-17), I was never sure it would finally be completed. It is great that it is now finally restored and on display.
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