canberra kid

No problem Ali, if you ever need anything Canberra related I always happy to help! John

When we first started the project we a had planned to add an in depth model section, but as the book grew and grew into two very substantial volumes something had to go. Having said that when the original book came out it was my go to book for Canberra info, I don't think that has changed other than it is now even better. The book contains a lot of facts and airframe detail plus first had accounts from ground and aircrew backed up and supplemented with extracts from Squadron diaries and operational records. The photos are very good, with many never published before. John

There was provision to carry a long range tank in the bomb bay, but it was seldom used around the UK or Europe as the Canberra had plenty of range. John

There is no technical reason for them to be left open, the only thing I can think of is, if the crew were selling merchandise the bomb bay is where the luggage pannier is, it would make access less of an issue, like wise if they had food and drink it too may have been stashed in there. John

Essentially they are the same as the very early RAF T.4's, no ejection seats for the instructor or student, the Nav. had a Mk.1CS. The external difference, this was confined basically to the repositioned pitot to the optical flat on the nose cap. John

Not too long now Andre John

this is from the German Air Force G.91 flight Manual John

Thanks very much Paul, I hope you enjoy them John

I hope this is ok? I thought it would be of interest to the group, seeing as I appear to have been participating third party for a while. Canberra book(s) release dates. Fonthill have now announced dates for the 2-volume Canberra set by Ken Delve and John Sheehan, and their website https://www.fonthill.media/collections/aircraft even has a pre-order deal! Volume 1 deals with the RAF's use of the Canberra from the Bomber Wings of Bomber Command from 1951, through interdictors in Germany, Middle East and Far East, the global PR presence - right up to 2006 (!), and the many and varied support roles in EW, target towing, etc. Volume 2 covers the overseas users, including the B-57, plus the Operational Conversion Unit, trials use, displays, preserved aircraft, a full production list with histories, and more. The reason it is 2 volumes is that the whole package is around 380,000 words and 800+ photos, so a single volume would have been tricky! Watch out for details of launch events where you can buy the book(s), get them signed, view Canberra displays, and hear 'Canberra chats'. John

Thanks Des, I hope you enjoy them. John

Hi All Canberra book(s) release dates. Fonthill have now announced dates for the 2-volume Canberra set by Ken Delve and John Sheehan, and their website https://www.fonthill.media/collections/aircraft even has a pre-order deal! Volume 1 deals with the RAF's use of the Canberra from the Bomber Wings of Bomber Command from 1951, through interdictors in Germany, Middle East and Far East, the global PR presence - right up to 2006 (!), and the many and varied support roles in EW, target towing, etc. Volume 2 covers the overseas users, including the B-57, plus the Operational Conversion Unit, trials use, displays, preserved aircraft, a full production list with histories, and more. The reason it is 2 volumes is that the whole package is around 380,000 words and 800+ photos, so a single volume would have been tricky! Watch out for details of launch events where you can buy the book(s), get them signed, view Canberra displays, and hear 'Canberra chats'. John

Canberra book(s) release dates. Fonthill have now announced dates for the 2-volume Canberra set by Ken Delve and John Sheehan, and their website https://www.fonthill.media/collections/aircraft even has a pre-order deal! Volume 1 deals with the RAF's use of the Canberra from the Bomber Wings of Bomber Command from 1951, through interdictors in Germany, Middle East and Far East, the global PR presence - right up to 2006 (!), and the many and varied support roles in EW, target towing, etc. Volume 2 covers the overseas users, including the B-57, plus the Operational Conversion Unit, trials use, displays, preserved aircraft, a full production list with histories, and more. The reason it is 2 volumes is that the whole package is around 380,000 words and 800+ photos, so a single volume would have been tricky! Watch out for details of launch events where you can buy the book(s), get them signed, view Canberra displays, and hear 'Canberra chats'. John

Two drawing that should held? John

The Coal hole was apt, both in the PR.9 and all other British Canberra's. I'm in the process of gathering the info, the SAAF 12's had quite a comprehensive recon fit. John

No, both are completely hidden, you can't even see much of the cockpit unless it's a PR.9 (only) with the canopy open. John

Larry, only the pilot had a bag seat, the nav had to use the door and jump! No need to guess regards the camera fit, unless you're in a big rush to get it built, I may find time tomorrow to fill in the details. John

@ReccePhreak Hi Larry, On the subject of PR. Canberra's were you aware the VICON developed a dedicated Canberra Rccon pod for the export Canberra Market. As yet I've seen no evidence of the pod being used, but I know for sure the FAV Canberra's were cleared to carry them. The pod was VICON 18 series 2. It was designed to be mounted on one of the under wing pylons. John

HI @ReccePhreak and @stevehnz Larry I'll sort some things out for you as soon as I can, I'm a bit bogged down at the moment working of Vol.2 of the new Canberra book. You have a choice of 3 colour schemes HSS, PRU Blue top, HSS lower 50/50 split, over all PRU blue all with full SAAF castel markings. Later all over PRU blue with no markings except a 3 digit number on the fuselage. The seat was an MB Mk.3cs As far as I know there isn't one in the aftermarket world, but I could be wrong? Have a look on my site for what the seat looks like. The Nav's sliding seat was very diferant to the one the B.(I)8 had. The cockpit was fairly standard early on, the only thing if note was the Colin's Mk.10 Autopilot on the rear of the left side console. I'll check on the camera controls. As I said I'll get back to you as soon as I can with the camera fit. Have considered building one of the two Rhodesian AF B.()PR)2' Larry? John

And B.(I)12 and some export versions.

I did try to find a photo of the T.4 mentioned above, I do have photos of her but non with 23 Sqn. If I was to take a punt on colours I'd go with the top two photos. John

XS417 is the only one I can find @David Womby John

Indeed David, there must have been a 'blank' fairing as I have photos of aircraft with no pylons or guns.

I've not studied it in depth but I suspect the geometry of the cockpit is a bit off, there are a few things I've dome to help with the issues, one key feature missing from all Canberra kits even the more accurate Classic Airframes Canberra, is the cross member to which the pilots seat rail is attached, the seat rail and cross member form the foundation for the Navigators instrument racks. This is for my B.6 hybrid, WT333 John

@David Womby David I've had a look through my many Lightning photos and the pylons with the fairing are quite common. I suspect it was fitted mostly as a drag reduction aid for ferry flights. As for the pylons they are integral with the missile pack. This is the drawing for the Firestreak, the Red top is the same. John

Five foot is a bit wee, more like a fighter Jockey. Though to be fair perhaps Airfix were thinking of the pilots safety, as the following extract from the Canberra pilots notes illustrates, being short in the leg is definite advantage! If you add the seat rail to the top of that small platform and mount the seat on that it would move it closer to the rudder pedals. The crew for the old 1/72 Airfix B.(I)6 had their legs chopped from the mid shin! John