canberra kid

@Thomas Bell First off yes please to the DVD! PM inbound. The E was very much a Jack of all trades, designed as a Target Tug Martin had the good sense to keep it fully combat capable including Nuclear, it was also able to be re configured to a two stick trainer with little work, so yes, the E could have two sticks and duplicated controls. The retention of the weapons capability was to pay dividends when many were re worked to replace combat losses in SEA. In the kit the rear cockpit instrument panel is based on the B.57E the front is generic, but as with all Canberra's be they British or American, they were in service for so long that unless you pick one type at one time the best you can do is be generic. The NASA F's are indeed a fantastic research tool, for academia and government, The work in Afghanistan from what I understand was working as a Communications relay platform in support of ground operations. I wasn't aware of the plans for a fourth F being put back in service, but it makes a lot of seance! One thing is for sure, we need a family of accurate Canberra's! John

The kit was/is a big disappointment, from the forward transport joint back the kit is a mess, except the tail plains. The cockpit is based on the B.57E, that's not even an option in the kit! The Mack2 RB.57F shares all these errors. John

Thomas, The kit owes a lot to the Italeri kit, which is a big shame as it's possibly the worst place to start! Not only does it not have the F.15 wheels, but it has the undersize Italeri ones. The seats are wrong being the original B.57A/B Mechanics Inc. seat which is OK if you want to build the prototype F but all others up to this latest NASA mod should have ESCIPAC seats. But having said that it's the only show in town, so what can you do! The NASA F's have had a lot of thought put into optimising all available space for science, plus the addition of not only standard wing pods but also the ex TR.1/U.2 super pods which look very spectacular! John

The cockpit isn't quite stock, new ACES II ejection seats, Glass cockpit, new GPS and Autopilot. From frame one back to the tip of the tail the fuselage is still very much Canberra, the tail plains are modified but still Canberra, the fin is all new as are the wings. Unlike the D model the F retains the 'bomb bay' roof though all the associated plumbing has been removed. The RB./WB.57F though is not a Canberra in the legal seance, it is a General Dynamics RB./WB.57F the percentage on new GD parts is grater than the Martin parts. John

Just a heads up, due to operational reason's at RAF Marham, the Canberra book signing event has been re scheduled for the weekend of 8 - 9th October. Every thing else remains un changed regarding the event. Thanks John

Italeri transparencies. John

MARHAM CANBERRA DAYS update. RAF Marham is observing the Royal period of mourning for the Queen, which means no public events will take place before the 26th September. To comply with this, we have moved the Canberra Days back to Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd October. The plan for the Days remains the same; in addition to the cockpits on show (including XH135, tours of XH169, the Heritage Centre, Canberra models (as in aircraft!), memorabilia and parts sale, photo albums, etc, we have a programme in the conference room that, provisionally includes: • Canberra film show (a loop of short Canberra films) - various times in the day with different films Presentations, discussions, Q&A on: • Bombers and Interdictors • Asymmetric – the Canberra’s main problem • Recce Rules! • Target towing, jamming – and more: overview and discussion • .. and more

Hi, thanks for getting the book, I hope you enjoy it! Sorry but I have no idea about the VAT, as you say, I suspect not. John

Looks like we have a date for Vol.2 We are hoping it may be earlier so we can take some to the signing at Mahram. John

July 1970 pilots notes John

I took this photo at RAF Church Fenton in 1995 if it helps? John

Hi Kari Is it this are in red on the photos? I'm not sure what they are, perhaps chaff dispensers or heat vents for the electronic recon suite? What ever they are they were a Swedish modification as they are not in the photos of the aircraft when they left Warton. John

Hi Kari We do cover the Tp.52's but due to space only in a general way, I have the Tp.52 manual but it does not have details of that part. Is it on both Tp.52's? I can look at my photos. John

Lovely Job, she's turned out very nice! John

Vol. 2 is winging it's way to the publisher, then off to the printers, all being well it shouldn't be too long now. In the mean time another book signing event is happening. John