chrismac60 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) I put all my Canberra bits together today to start my TT18 project, a 7 Sqn ac in grey with black and yellow stripes. However, next to the Airfix box was the Classic Airframes T17 kit. This is where it went a bit mad. Having asked the Camlett team if they were doing a T17 conversion and finding out they hadn't considered it, I was happy I had sown a seed for the future, maybe. No other T17's on the horizon, I wondered if the nose of the CA kit could be put on the Airfix kit. Why? Well I have had a go at the CA kit and it broke me, this after adding an Aerclub TT18 and since then an Airfix BI(8) to my collection. All that nice resin in the CA kit, lots of references, and what an ugly looking aircraft...... So I got the razor saw out and did it. I cut the Airfix kit at the panel line in front of the cockpit, this after measuring and measuring. The T17 nose was removed from the CA kit, would they fit? NO!! The CA nose was too wide. Quick change to the starboard side, this time cutting a mm further towards the nose, removed CA nose and put them together, It fits!!!!!!! Back the the port side and a mm shim was inserted and bingo an Airfix Canberra with CA noses. Oh boy, what have I done. I've packed it all away now, if and when the blood settles I will continue. Next is to work out what needs scratch-building and if the CA undercarriage bays will fit without too much surgery, then there's the cockpit............... Here are some pics to prove I am mad BFN Chris Edited October 13, 2009 by chrismac60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I wondered how long it'd be before someone tried that! Very expensive upgrade set though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 I wondered how long it'd be before someone tried that! Very expensive upgrade set though Canberra £20 at Yeovilton from a trader, CA T17 £20 at Yeovilton, keep looking under those tables! How much would a full resin conversion be? £30 - 40 plus the kit? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Is this Chairman thing going to your head a bit Chris? You braver than i thawt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 Is this Chairman thing going to your head a bit Chris? You braver than i thawt! Brave, no, stupid, yes! You up for Poole Saturday? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 (edited) Brave, no, stupid, yes! You up for Poole Saturday? Chris I'd certainly like to but we already made plans! Edited April 15, 2009 by PHaTNesS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted April 25, 2009 Author Share Posted April 25, 2009 (edited) Here's an update of progress today. Added weight (first lot) and cockpit. Cockpit is Airfix floor and CA resin, plus CA nose wheel bay. Wings - removed flap detail so I can add Cammletts brass set, added CA wheelwheels complete with pour blocks, they fit perfectly - as though they were made for the Airfix kit. Engine intakes next, though I might use the Aviation Workshop resin fronts, but as is typical, wrong engine (T17's were converted from B2's), oh hum. Photos below regards Chris Edited April 25, 2009 by chrismac60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hope all that lead doesn't snap your nice nose job off Chris! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexwh773 Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Well this is looking rather nice already & at the ready Bex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 does this mean CA kits are abit - rubbish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avro683 Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 does this mean CA kits are abit - rubbish? No, it's just that cos they're limited run kits you have to work a bit harder. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 No, it's just that cos they're limited run kits you have to work a bit harder.Tony I would say 50 - 50, they could be designed to fit better, but with hard work they are not impossible.......OK, maybe the Vampire's are ...but other than that......OK the Meteor T7...but......... Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Terrific start and looking good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 After buggering up the wing on my CA T17(!) I considered doing something similar, so looking forward to your progress here Chris......(Mine will be in early cam. with Moth on tail!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hi Bill I have a spare pair of CA wings from this build you can have regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hi BillI have a spare pair of CA wings from this build you can have regards Chris Thanks anyway Chris, I actually prefer the Airfix wings - at least the upper surfaces have the airbrakes more or less correct! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Although progress looks minimal, I have completed the following: Wings assembled, with intake blanks fitted and Aeroclub starters Most panel lines filled and sanded (Oh so much sanding!) Cockpit complete Ejection seats primed Navs window reorientated Bomb bay doors fitted closed Tail modified Next to do is fitting the brass flap set, paint the cockpit and then get the fuselage together, sort out the white metal undercarriage, which is for the CA bays I used and clean up new resin tanks from Belcher products. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHREAK Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 (edited) Watching with interest Chris. Where did you get the Belcher tanks from? Is there a UK soucre? Cheers Rich Edited May 9, 2009 by PHREAK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi Rich The tanks came direct from Belcher bits Belcher bits. I thinks A2zee stock Belcher. regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi Chris, Progress is looking really good so far but I have to ask, with all the extra work you are doing on this kit why on earth didn't you just do the CA Canberra T.17? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL567 Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi Chris, Watching this build with interest - keep up the good work! Just one thing, if you're doing a Hemp Low vis scheme of 360 squadron, everyone I know who flew and worked on the jets never recalled seeing 84" roundels in low vis on a T-17A! I've always been told only small roundels were ever used for the low vis T-17 scheme which looked really odd when placed on an upper and lower wing! Cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismac60 Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 (edited) Hi Chris,Progress is looking really good so far but I have to ask, with all the extra work you are doing on this kit why on earth didn't you just do the CA Canberra T.17? Cheers The work I'm doing and will end up doing is only half what I would have needed on the CA. I have a failed CA canberra for spares when I do the TT18, it just beat me. Ever seen a CA Canberra with the door closed? I haven't. If Bill Clark fails to complete a model, you know there's something amiss. regards Chris Edited May 9, 2009 by chrismac60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHREAK Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi RichThe tanks came direct from Belcher bits Belcher bits. I thinks A2zee stock Belcher. regards Chris Tanks very much Chris! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAA72 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 The work I'm doing and will end up doing is only half what I would have needed on the CA. I have a failed CA canberra for spares when I do the TT18, it just beat me. Ever seen a CA Canberra with the door closed? I haven't. If Bill Clark fails to complete a model, you know there's something amiss.regards Chris I gave up on the CA kit after trying to sort out the wing top airbrakes - and the nacelles - which took up far too many modelling sessions for my liking. I had built 4 or 5 CA Meteors in various guises - and I just couldn't bear the thought of spending loads of time having to bash the Canberra together! So gave up! I had kept the parts and like Chris, thought about using the T17 parts in addition to the Airfix kit. I may still do that.......I'll see how Chris gets on..... IF only I had another Aeroclub B2!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I gave up on the CA kit after trying to sort out the wing top airbrakes - and the nacelles - which took up far too many modelling sessions for my liking. I had built 4 or 5 CA Meteors in various guises - and I just couldn't bear the thought of spending loads of time having to bash the Canberra together! So gave up! I had kept the parts and like Chris, thought about using the T17 parts in addition to the Airfix kit. I may still do that.......I'll see how Chris gets on.....IF only I had another Aeroclub B2!! Thanks for the comment Bill, I was a little too embarrassed to ask who the heck is Bill Clark (no offense meant). Chris when's the next update due? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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