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1/48 - E.E. Canberra B(I)6/B.20/T.4 by Airfix (re-issue) - released - new boxing


Homebee

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Source: http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/victor-b-2-project-update-and-more/

 

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Leading the World Britains Canberra bomber

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Box artwork showing Canberra WT313 spoiling someones day

Arguably one of the most impressive kits that has ever appeared in an Airfix model line up is the 1/48th scale English Electric Canberra and although this particular model has not been available for some time now, it will make a triumphant return to the range later in 2016. The Canberra was an early jet powered medium bomber, which really was cutting edge technology in the early years of jet aviation and proved to be a hugely successful aircraft for the British aviation industry. Possessing performance greater than that of the jet fighters of the day, the Canberra was even of interest to the US military, who built 400 aircraft under licence with the designation Martin B-57.

The re-issue of the 1/48th scale Canberra kit (A10101A) later in the year will be welcome news for many modellers and it is sure to be a popular build project during 2016. We are now in a position to bring you the scheme details for the decal options that will be included in this release:

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Decal Option A

English Electric Canberra B(i)6, WT313, RAF No.213 Squadron, Bruggen, Germany, 1969

The RAF Canberra was to remain in service over an impressive 50 year period as the initial design of the aircraft proved so successful, and proved difficult to replace. This particular version of the Canberra performed as an Interdictor strike aircraft and was equipped with a belly mounted gun pack, which housed four 20mm cannons. In this configuration, the Canberra was capable of mounting devastating strafing attacks against ground targets, at relatively high speed.

WT313 was declared a write off, after severe damage was discovered during routine maintenance at 431 MU, RAF Bruggen. Struck off charge, the aircraft was eventually scrapped.

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Decal Option B

English Electric Canberra B.20, A84-205, No.1 (Bomber) Operational Conversion Unit, Royal Australian Air Force, Amberley, Queensland, 1968

This beautifully appealing RAAF scheme will tempt many modellers, as it really does lend itself to the clean lines of the Canberra. The B.20 version of the aircraft was basically a B.2 airframe with additional fuel tanks in the wings and licence built in Australia. Australia eventually purchased just under 60 Canberra bombers and trainers for their air force.

The current anticipated arrival date for Canberra A10101A is early June, but you can stay abreast of the latest release information by checking the Airfix website regularly.

 

V.P.

 

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Edited by Homebee
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  • 3 months later...

Please note that like their B(I).8 release, the Nord AS.30 Misiles are not fitted to the versions in the box.

I've seen some lovely B(I).8 builds that feature the missiles even though they could never be carried by them.

However, it is jolly nice of Airfix to include them in this boxing, the Canberra B.15 was the only variant that could carry AS.30 and were conversions from the B.6.

You, can see that budget is playing a part now, the previous release of this kit gave us two major variants, one foreign sub-variant, and four decal schemes covering three air forces, the Aussie option being a battle weary one!

we just need some nice late 1960/70s decals now, not least to represent the three AS.30 equipped squadrons.

Edited by 71chally
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My feeling says that most manufacturers have reduced the number of liveries (decals) to one or two - not only Airfix. The Aftermarket will fill the gap - surely at extra costs. I like the included B.20 livery btw.

Regarding the possible variants, I guess you still get the same sprues in this boxing, so with after market decals you should be able to build more than the two versions listed on the box.

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  • 1 month later...

Mastercasters conversion sets.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/MasterCasters/posts/1248353781895530

(...) We have just taken delivery of two sets that have been out of stock for a while now.

These sets include a clear cast resin corrected canopy, correct tail for either variant and vinyl paint masks to produce Canberra VN 799

MST48029 - Canberra Prototype conversion (Initial) £12.99

MST48037 - Canberra Prototype Conversion (Late) £12.99

http://www.mastercasters.co.uk/product-range/1-48th-scale-detail-sets/

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V.P.

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New boxings 70th anniversary for the peerless Canberra

- ref. A10101B – English Electric Canberra B(I)6 WT309, ‘Raspberry Ripple’ Scheme, General Air Test Airframe, Aircraft & Armament Evaluation Establishment, MoD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire - https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2019/english-electric-canberra-b2-b20-1-48-1.html

- ref. A10101C – English Electric Canberra T.4 WJ870, No.231 Operational Conversion Unit, Royal Air Force, Circa 1971 -  https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2019/english-electric-canberra-b2-b20-1-48-1-1.html

 

 

 

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Source: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/mustang-gets-new-parts-and-exclusive-canberra-announcement

 

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70th anniversary for the peerless Canberra

Something for Canberra fans to look out for in the near future. These stickers will be added to our 1/48th scale Canberra kit to indicate which additional scheme will be included – both will he limited edition releases

On 13th May 1949, the first flight of an exciting new jet aircraft at the home airfield of the English Electric Company at Warton, in Lancashire marked the existence of an aviation phenomenon and an aircraft which was without doubt the envy of the aviation world at that time. Developed as the jet powered successor to the famous and highly capable De Havilland Mosquito, the Canberra was always going to be a high-profile aircraft, but what designers at English Electric managed to produce was nothing less than a world beater.

 

With a challenging specification which required the aircraft to operate without the inclusion of defensive armament, the Canberra would have to rely on speed and altitude to evade the attentions of enemy interceptors. With experience in building aircraft for other companies, but having little history in the design and manufacture of their own types, surely the specifications for this new aircraft would prove too much of a challenge for the English Electric Company. The significant arrival of former Westland Aircraft designer ‘Teddy’ Petter at the company would change all that and eventually result in the production the RAF’s first jet powered bomber, an aircraft which would be able to fly higher and faster than all contemporary RAF fighters. The incredible success of the English Electric Canberra jet bomber can be gauged by the length of time it remained in service with the Royal Air Force. With the first Canberras arriving at RAF No.101 Squadron in early 1951, the last photo-reconnaissance PR.9 machines were only withdrawn in 2006 – a remarkable 55 years in service.

 

As one of the most important aircraft to ever see RAF service, the distinctive Canberra has long been a favourite modelling subject for Airfix fans and in the shape of our impressive 1/48th scale Canberra tooling, we have a kit which has to be considered one of the most appealing models in our history. To mark this significant 70th Anniversary year for the aircraft we are pleased to be in a position to exclusively announce two additions to this magnificent kit, with the release of two new derivatives of the existing Canberra model, each one introducing an attractive new scheme option to the already appealing 1/48th scale Canberra offering. As well as bringing you details of both new schemes, we also have a series of exclusive built model images to illustrate what we all have to look forward to in the future. It is also important to stress that these kits will be limited edition releases and once they have sold through, they will be gone for good – time will be of the essence with these Canberra beauties.

 

A10101B – English Electric Canberra B(I)6 WT309, ‘Raspberry Ripple’ Scheme, General Air Test Airframe, Aircraft & Armament Evaluation Establishment, MoD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.

 

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A series of impressive exclusive images showing a recently completed sample model finished in the new A&AEE ‘Raspberry Ripple’ scheme

 

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Always a popular scheme with modellers and aviation enthusiasts, the distinctive ‘Raspberry Ripple’ markings applied to some of Britain’s test aircraft since the end of the Second World War were intended to make the aircraft highly visible, but also served to make them amongst the most attractive in the country. Of all the aircraft to wear this iconic scheme, the English Electric Canberrawas arguably the most appealing, with the famous red, white and blue really lending themselves to the characteristic shape of the aircraft.

 

The B(I)6 Canberras were constructed as an interim interdictor strike aircraft in advance of the anticipated introduction of the main B(I)8 variant and were capable of delivering nuclear munitions at a time when Britain was planning its strategic V-bomber force. These aircraft would be maintained in QRA readiness at bases in Germany, as a deterrent to potential Soviet aggression, only flying with No.213 Squadron in this role, however, Canberra WT309 would not be of these aircraft. Rather than join the rest of the B(I)6 aircraft, it was handed over to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough in early 1958, with only 29.5 flying hours on the airframe. The aircraft was destined for a long career of test flying, ending its days at A&AEE Boscombe Down and even when its flying days were over, she would serve as an instructional airframe for apprentices at the Wiltshire airfield. Unfortunately, an ignominious end awaited this beautiful aeroplane and after 40 years of service, she was scrapped in January 1998, with only the cockpit section saved for posterity.

 

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These magnificent build images feature the 1/48th scale Canberra kit wearing these distinctive markings of the A&AEE and will be the additional scheme option included with the A10101B release of the model. One of the most important aircraft in the history of the British aviation industry, the Canberra may have the appearance of being a Meteor’s big brother, however, this was a historic aircraft in its own right and one which deserves to be commemorated in this, its 70th anniversary year. The exclusive image selection featured above includes an evocative effort by one of our talented graphic designers, who took the model sample and attempted to make it appear as if it was flying low over the threshold at Boscombe Down airfield – we think it looks rather spectacular.

 

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A10101C – English Electric Canberra T.4 WJ870, No.231 Operational Conversion Unit, Royal Air Force, Circa 1971.

 

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When No.231 Operational Conversion Unit reformed in December 1951, it would begin a long association with the English Electric Canberra and over the next 42 years, would prove invaluable in the training of thousands of aircrew destined to fly this magnificent aircraft. The T.4 variant of the Canberra was a dual control machine developed specifically to support the effective training of future pilots and around 70 examples were produced, out of a total Canberra production run of 900 aircraft.

 

Canberra T.4 WJ870 would go on to have a long and active career, built in 1954 and ending its days as a battle damage repair airframe at RAF St Mawgan in 1981. In between those dates, it would see service with a number of RAF squadrons, including Nos 7, 31, 102, 213 and 360, as well as time with 231 OCU, flying in the UK and Germany. It would also serve for a time with the Royal Navy’s FRADU operating from RNAS Yeovilton, before once again returning to No.231 OCU – the scheme option featured here is an attractive machine operated by No.231 OCU at RAF Cottesmore in 1971 and includes alternative tail marking options to allow two versions of the same aircraft to be modelled (A10101C).

 

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More Canberra delights, with a sample model finished in the second new scheme option to be offered as an additional limited edition option to this popular kit

 

Released to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the Canberra prototype, these two new 1/48th scale English Electric Canberra kit additions include the original decal options which feature in the existing A10101A kit, but also now feature either the B(I)6 Boscombe Down decals (A10101B), or the T.4 trainer option with (A1010C). Both kits are available to pre-order on the Airfix website now and are scheduled for an Autumn release. We would also like to point out that the kits themselves do not include additional alternative parts, but do benefit from the new decal scheme options and will be a limited edition release – only a relatively low number of each kit will be available, so please secure your example early. In this year of the Canberra, these two attractive new scheme options help to commemorate the achievements of one of Britain’s greatest aircraft.

 

V.P.

Edited by Homebee
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3 hours ago, Irish 251 said:

Am I correct in understanding that the T.4 will be a bomber version whose nose the modeller overpaints?

It says so in the specification for the scheme. This scheme is a funny choice - they could have picked the prototype, they could have picked one of the record holders, they could have picked one of the last T.4's in RAF service, but they chose a fairly boring LAG scheme with those dayglow strips everyone loves to hate to do. Still nice they have picked something.

 

This is the first time raspberry ripple Canberra decals have appeared in how long? Pre-ordered! 

 

Cheers,

  WV908.

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