darson Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) On the night of 3 November, 1970, "A84-231" (radio call sign 'Magpie 91') failed to return from a night Skyspot mission in support of ARVN forces in South Vietnam. Missions of this type were, by this time, being flown only infrequently by Australian personnel. After the G.A.F. Canberra B.20 crewed by Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver had delivered their six 750 pound bombs in a single salvo with instantaneous fusing, the ground station then came on the air to give the crew a brief description of the target they had engaged, and to tell them that their performance had been excellent. Flying Officer Herbert acknowledged this message, before signing off from the FACs control and switching tactical frequency in the usual manner for the return flight to Phan Rang. The American radar facility at Udorn in Thailand, which had been tracking the Canberra as it maintained a steady course on a heading of 120 degrees magnetic, indicated that contact had been lost at 8.22 p.m. when the aircraft abruptly disappeared off screen apparently just moments after Herbert's last message. Despite an intensive search lasting three days by Australian and American aircrew no trace of the Canberra or the crew was ever found, that is until April of this year when pieces of the aircraft and some of the crews effects were recovered bring to an end the mystery of the last two missing Aussies in Vietnam. Michael Herbert & Robert Carver This build is the Classic Airframes kit of the equally classic Canberra B.20 as assembled by the Australian Govt Aircraft Factory (GAF) in the markings of A84-231, bombed up the way she would have been all those years ago. Edited May 12, 2009 by darson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 The ingredients for this build are going to be pretty straight forward, first up of course we have the Classic Airframes Canberra kit (box looking slightly worse for wear) Next up we have Aussie Decals set no 48039 which includes the markings for the bird I want but doesn't actually show them on the instruction sheet, oh well. Last but certainly not least are the Pete's Hangar wingtip hard points and ordinance for the Vietnam era Canberra's. From what I have read the wing tip fuel tanks were not required due to the relatively small distances being covered. More to come soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timraven1992 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Nice one Darren, People seem to be going Canberra Crazy! Cheers Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 Nice one Darren,People seem to be going Canberra Crazy! Cheers Tim Thanks Tim and you are dead right on that score. By the way I'm keeping a close eye on your Canberra build at the moment. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHREAK Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 A fitting tribute build squire. Time to pull up a comfy chair ready for more entertainment courtesy of English Electric Good luck. Rich R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atdb27 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Now I like this build Darren. Honouring 2 dear departed soles in service of their country. I would be intersted to learn more of the recent 'discovery' and aparent closure on this story that you noted at the start of this tread? Didn't realise also the 'Pete's Hangar' bits either. Will not trivialise this build with the usual 'popcorn' smilies. I will however respectfully follow this 'dedicated' build Darren. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 This looks interesting. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHREAK Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Now I like this build Darren.Honouring 2 dear departed soles in service of their country. I would be intersted to learn more of the recent 'discovery' and aparent closure on this story that you noted at the start of this tread? Didn't realise also the 'Pete's Hangar' bits either. Will not trivialise this build with the usual 'popcorn' smilies. I will however respectfully follow this 'dedicated' build Darren. Adrian I object to the intimation that I am trivialising this thread which is not the case as 'intimated' in my opening statement. I have a deep respect for all deceased pilots (including my father) I will enjoy watching the build.....lighten up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks a lot for the words of encouragement guys I appreciate it. I have actually started construction already so I will post some more photos tonight when I get home from work. The Pete's Hangar parts are very nice but are incredibly delicate so I will have to really be careful cleaning and attaching them to the wing. Adrian, here are a couple of links to the finding of A84-231s final resting place Image Gallery ADF Media Release In terms of finding the crews remains, I have read that some of the wreckage has washed down into the creek line due to monsoonal rainfall so factoring in that and wild animals, esp wild pigs who can remove all trace of human remains quickly and thoroughly the chances of finding the crew are not high. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Here's the first instalment of construction photos on the Canberra. Job No1 was to attach the nose sections to their respective fuselage halves. I was pleased to say that this job went off without a hitch and only required a thin line of Gunze Mr Dissolved Putty (Don't blame me I didn't name it) to fill the small portion of seam followed by a quick wet sand to finish the job. I plan on doing any re-scribing in one hit so these panel lines will be see too once I've completed the wings. By the way this may look a mess in closeup but it's actually smooth as a baby's bum. One thing I've got to say is that this is one large aircraft in 48th scale! Thanks for looking and any feedback or critiques are gratefully accepted. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atdb27 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I object to the intimation that I am trivialising this thread which is not the case as 'intimated' in my opening statement. I have a deep respect for all deceased pilots (including my father)I will enjoy watching the build.....lighten up! Sorry Darren Somewhere have wires crossed? I never intended offence with my comment 'trivialise'. When most on here look forward to a build the popcorn 'smilie appears as an I'm watching this. I was looking forward to this build as it has a very poignant story behind it. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHREAK Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Sorry DarrenSomewhere have wires crossed? I never intended offence with my comment 'trivialise'. When most on here look forward to a build the popcorn 'smilie appears as an I'm watching this. I was looking forward to this build as it has a very poignant story behind it. Adrian No problem whatsoever Adrian, I'm looking forward to it too. Rich R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darson Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Sorry DarrenSomewhere have wires crossed? I never intended offence with my comment 'trivialise'. When most on here look forward to a build the popcorn 'smilie appears as an I'm watching this. I was looking forward to this build as it has a very poignant story behind it. Adrian Absolutley no offense taken Adrian and while my build is a tribute to the crew who gave their lives for their country I still intend to have some fun while building the kit. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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