Lord Riot

It’s been a while since I finished my last kit, the new Airfix Jag, with life happening and holidays, etc plus much procrastination (Meteor, Harrier, Buccaneer, another Vulcan?) for some reason I just decided on this Canberra! I’ve had this Alley Cat conversion kit a while now, having bought it alongside one for a T.17 which I built a few years ago: This time I’ll be attempting a TT.18, with the black and yellow striped undersides. Specifically I’ll be making it as WK118, which was actually one of over 70 Canberras built by Avro at Woodford. The nose section of the aircraft is now preserved at the excellent Avro Heritage Museum: https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/english-electric-canberra-cockpit Here’s the starting point, which we’re all pretty familiar with. And the conversion kit, which may be less familiar. I probably won’t use the canopy, or the wingtip tanks. There’s a few options for different target pods though. @canberra kid any idea which of the above was most common for a mid to late 80s TT.18 of 100 squadron? Markings will be similar to the green/grey option here, though I need to find the white code letters C-Q for the fuselage. Alley Cat decal sheets. I’ll be using the 100 squadron markings and there are enough serial numbers for WK118. May as well chuck in a nice front bang seat as well. Any help, suggestions and thoughts most definitely welcome! I may be some time …

Looking good!

That’s a beauty! Very crisp paintwork and nice markings.

I’m interested to see this build as I have it in the stash and have often wondered about starting it.

Great info, thanks chaps! Seems there was also XT283 /GC which was an S.2A?

Around 1985 the Buccaneer force began to receive two letter tail codes, with 237 OCU’s aircraft all ending in a C (for conversion?) I was wondering if anyone knows which aircraft serial numbers correspond to which code, particularly if there were any S2A versions still around in 84-87ish with those codes?

Fantastic looking Wessex, looks perfect in those colours.

@bigbadbadge Keira sounds so sweet, that’s great you’ve given a cat in such need a forever home, bravo sir! My wife has often considered adopting a blind one as they’re hard to re-home but can be so loving.

They’re both pretty well equipped aren’t they!

No it isn’t. Protest is peaceful. This is sabotage of British military equipment by British citizens. They’re traitors and a disgrace.

Have to say I don’t really know much about WW2 stuff, but I can certainly contribute to the feline feel to the thread! Here is our beautiful orange girl, Muffin: And our tabby boy Fluffy with black & white girl Lilly. All are American cats, once strays rescued by my wife and now living a luxury life in the UK …

Given the A is cheaper, carries more weapons and can stay airborne longer, it seems odd we decided to buy so many of the B versions. Surely the original purchase would have been better to buy 100 F-35A for the RAF and 30 or so F-35Bs for the FAA to operate from carriers?

I hope so too, it doesn’t sit well with my autistic need for order having an RAF squadron as a joint RN unit, (except 360 sqn back in the day!); it should be FAA units on carriers/Yeovilton and RAF squadrons at Marham, etc. However, a squadron of F-35s with the famous white ‘XV’ of 15 on the tail fins would be nice too!

About time we increased our FJ numbers, though I’m not sure just twelve is anywhere near enough. Let’s hope to God we never find out and the deterrent works. I’ll be interested to see what squadron is reactivated to operate them. I understand there’s a heirarchy of RAF units, but since some of the famous squadrons now seem to be mere number plates for non-flying units I’ve lost track of what’s available. What are 19, 23, 54, 56 and 74 squadrons doing these days?

What a beautiful cat! Take good care of him, every kitty is so precious. My wife used to rescue strays when she lived in Connecticut. We still have three gorgeous American kitties living with us in the UK now.