Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum

Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: Pen-Pusher on July 03, 2017, 08:47:13 AM

Title: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 03, 2017, 08:47:13 AM
Briefly then, the Argentine Air Force received a dozen Canberra aircraft from Britain, ten B62 bombers and two T64 trainers replacing the Avro Lincoln. The last of the Canberra bombers was retired in April 2000. From 1 May to 14 June 1982, Argentine Canberras made 54 sorties; 36 of them bombing missions, of which 22 were at night against ground troops.Two aircraft were lost in combat, the first to a Sea Harrier's AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missile on 1 May 1982 and on 13 June 1982, a second Canberra Mk.62 of Grupo de Bombardeo 2, B-108 was shot down at 12,000 m (39,000 ft) when it was struck by a Sea Dart missile fired from HMS Cardiff. The pilot ejected safely but the navigator was killed. It was the last Argentine aircraft to be lost in combat during the Falklands War.

I'm using the old Airfix kit to represent one of the surviving aircraft but will be enhancing the model (at great expense) with both flaps and undercarriage inserts from Czech Master. Meanwhile, I've made a cautious start...
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Haddock on July 03, 2017, 11:26:24 AM
Blow the expense, get stuck in!
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 03, 2017, 01:33:57 PM
Most FAA Canberra were fitted with Martin Baker Mk.2 and Mk.4 bang-seats so the kit version (Mk.1) needs a bit of work. Some blu-tac gives me the basis for a headrest to start with. I'll refine this later before applying a hard varnish and some handles/tags etc. (Luckily, only one of the three seats is visible even with the hatch open)
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 04, 2017, 07:15:32 PM
Like most British built aircraft of it's day, the Canberra interior was painted almost completely black and only some careful highlighting will reveal anything of interest...
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 04, 2017, 07:18:41 PM
...viewing anything through the access door requires reducing the thickness of the plastic around the opening to more resemble the real thing (You can see where I've started and the original plastic thickness at the top right corner in the photo).
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Bigkev on July 04, 2017, 08:59:22 PM
Hi Pen-Pusher,
Like this build, keep on with the thinning of the door. It will pay off though it is a bit of work to get it right.
Perseverance is the name of the game, and I'm sure you will win through.
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 05, 2017, 07:23:22 PM
I've added a bit of detail to my FAA Canberra cockpit. Throttle controls made from a piece of balsa wood (left hand side of cockpit) and control stick (kit) already installed. The unpainted panel added to the right is the instrument lighting panel and is yet to be detailed. The scratched-away paint in the centre is to allow the glue to set when I put the bang-seat in!!
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 06, 2017, 04:28:34 PM
'Bits' arrived today... now the fun begins!
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Bigkev on July 06, 2017, 08:08:26 PM
Hi Pen-Pusher,
You're a glutton for punishment aren't you?
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on July 06, 2017, 08:39:17 PM
Some might say that Big Kev - I couldn't possibly comment! But back to the cockpit. No detail yet on the lighting panel but at least the modified Mk.2 seat fits... note the burgeoning 'grab handles'...!
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Wizzel on July 11, 2017, 12:34:18 PM
Well done that man.  I've yet to dabble with resin aftermarket bits although I do have a couple for future projects.  I like the work you're putting into this one.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on February 24, 2018, 10:02:23 PM
Six or seven months have gone bye  but now I'm back on with this one!!
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on February 25, 2018, 08:47:05 AM
Progressing. Major components went together like a dream. Hats off to Airfix for moulding the lugs on tail planes and wings at the right angles. Made life so much easier and so far (fingers crossed) no filling required!
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on February 25, 2018, 12:52:06 PM
Last view of the 'weathered' interior (never saw a pristine one in my life) before I put the pilot's seat in.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: zak on February 25, 2018, 03:10:10 PM
Coming along nicely.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on February 26, 2018, 03:56:13 PM
Progressing the Argentine Air Force Canberra I have to decide on configuration and weapon load. Most published photos of the FAA Canberra show them without the familiar wing tanks although we know they were used. 1000lb bombs were also carried on wing-tip and under-wing pylons were used for bombs and/or rocket pods, with six 1000 pounders in the bomb bay... so I guess the choice in mine?
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on February 27, 2018, 12:02:34 PM
The (Airfix) FAA Canberra is almost ready for painting. All the seams and joins were cleaned up with little effort but now I have to decide on which particular a/c to build? As you can see, I have decals for B-101 and B-102 and await further info on the roles and operational 'fit' for these before choosing!

FAA Canberra aircraft had a few unique weapon loads including recon-pods converted from A4 Skyhawk fuel tanks, so a bit of scratch building might be ahead?
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on February 28, 2018, 09:20:18 PM
Painting up...
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on March 06, 2018, 10:32:01 PM
Bombs loaded but now I have to tackle the lack of detail in those wheel wells..? I did purchase a resin conversion set but to my dismay found this was designed for the Frog PR version. Nevertheless, I was able to take some measurements and cut 'walls' from thin plasticard which I will fix in before too long.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Bigkev on March 07, 2018, 09:49:09 PM
Hi Pen-Pusher,
Nice to see some 'real' modelling skills there.
Must get myself back to the bench.............
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on March 11, 2018, 09:54:30 AM
My Argentinian Canberra progresses. Hopefully, I can get the last ejector seat in and the canopy and cockpit door fitted today. I also have to 'manufacture' a recon pod and the navigation lights I will leave to last.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on March 11, 2018, 09:04:57 PM
Working on the crew door for the Canberra you realize just how thick it is - and how much paring down it's going to need before placing it in the 'open' position.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on March 11, 2018, 09:05:50 PM
A temporary fit of the canopy and bomb aimers perspex but am quite pleased with door.
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Bigkev on March 12, 2018, 05:58:53 AM
Hi Pen Pusher,
that looks a nice Canberra. You are right to be pleased with door, it looks much more refined after you've fettled it.
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Pen-Pusher on March 14, 2018, 09:24:42 PM
Just for you BigKev...
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: Bigkev on March 16, 2018, 08:08:44 PM
Hi Pen-Pusher,
Thanks for the finished item, it certainly looks the part...............
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Canberra down South
Post by: bridlufc on March 16, 2018, 09:18:44 PM
I like the look of this one penpusher, I suppose I am going to have to add one to my ever growing stash now!!

Bridlufc