Canberra B.2 vs B.6, (or B.I.6) - differences?

[Troy Smith]

Basic question, but searches have not turned up the definitive answer i know I'll get here

A look in my Canberra book

https://www.amazon.co.uk/English-Electric-Canberra-Roland-Beamont/dp/0711013438

the main difference seems to be new engines, and in the B.I.6, a gunpod.

From a modelling viewpoint, is there much difference? If so, what are they please.

specifically, I have a 1/48 Aeroclub B.6, but the markings that of interest are a B.2

(I also have an Airfix B.2, and CA B.2 and the Falcon B2/B.57) and the Aeroclub kit is 'the one' out of these!

TIA

T

[kspriss]

Canberra B Mk.5 Prototype of second-generation Canberra with wet wings and Avon R.A.7 engines with 7,490 lbf (33.32 kN) of thrust, one built.

Canberra B Mk.6 Production version based on B5 with a 1 ft (0.3 m) fuselage stretch, 106 built by English Electric (57) and Short Brothers & Harland (49), includes 12 for export.

Canberra B6(RC) RC = Radio Countermeasures (also known as B6(Mod) or PR16) – Specialist ELINT version with enlarged nose and Blue Shadow Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR). Only four produced, extended nose.

Canberra B(I) Mk.6 Interdictor version for the RAF pending delivery of the B(I)8. Based on B6 with a detachable ventral pack housing four 20mm Hispano cannon for strafing; also had provision for two wing hard points. LABS (Low-Altitude Bombing System) for delivery of nuclear bombs. 22 produced

hope this helps

Steve

Edited June 18, 2016 by kspriss

[Wez]

The obvious visible difference between the two can be seen on the engine intakes.

B.2 had a short intake bullet and I think two vents for the cartridge starter.

B.6 had a longer intake bullet with I believe three vents.

Otherwise Canberra B.2 and B.6 are very similar.

Canberra Kid (John) and John Aero will no doubt be along soon with more details.

[71chally]

Canberra B Mk.6 Production version based on B5 with a 1 ft (0.3 m) fuselage stretch,

The Canberra B.2 and B.6 (& B(I).8) are exactly the same length at 65' 6", as the B.5 was a B.2 and ended up as the B(I).8 prototype I'm pretty sure same length. The reconnaissance variants have the 1' longer fuselage.

The main visual difference between 2 & 6 is the engine starter cones which look more prominent.

B(I).6 same, but featured the ventral gun pack and underwing hardpoints.

[71chally]

That's right Wez, the B.2 had a double breech cartridge start, the B.6 triple breech.

There were two types of Canberra main wheels as well, the earlier units being the 'spoked' type and later with the four distinctive raised casts, though I'm not sure if it was clear cut between the B.2 & 6.

[kspriss]

The Canberra B.2 and B.6 (& B(I).8) are exactly the same length at 65' 6", as the B.5 was a B.2 and ended up as the B(I).8 prototype I'm pretty sure same length. The reconnaissance variants have the 1' longer fuselage.

The main visual difference between 2 & 6 is the engine starter cones which look more prominent.

B(I).6 same, but featured the ventral gun pack and underwing hardpoints.

my mistake, was reading the wrong pilots notes, lol...yeah the B6 is the same length as the b2, but does have triple breech starters on her RA7s instead of the single breech ones of the B2..also the B6 has wet wings

steve

[canberra kid]

As every one as said so far, my build I've just finished although a B(I)8 mod every thig apart from the nose is applicable to the B./B(I)6. One thing to sort at this point is the myth that the 6 was longer, I think this as come about from the B.5 starting life as a PR.3 which is true but she was never completed as such and the B.5 was the standard bomber length. The only Canberra's with a longer fuselage were the PR.3 PR.7 and PR.9 and the T.22 which was a conversion of the PR.7. My B(I)8/ B.6 mod build can be found here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234988093-wiggaly-amps-canberra-bi8-wt333/page-1

John

[71chally]

Right there Steve, single breech in the B.2, I was getting muddled up with the two spent gas discharge vents as opposed to the three on the B.6.

John, were the wheels definitively different between the two marks?

Troy, is the Aeroclub kit the best option in your opinion?

Edited June 18, 2016 by 71chally

[canberra kid]

Right there Steve, single breech in the B.2, I was getting muddled up with the two spent gas discharge vents as opposed to the three on the B.6.

John, were the wheels definitively different between the tow marks?

Troy, is the Aeroclub kit the best option in your opinion?

Yes James the B.2/T.4 and derivatives had the "small" spoke type wheel, and all the big Avon Canberra's had the bigger wheel with the holes in the hub. The big wheel also had anti skid brakes, If you build an export Canberra you have to check as a lot of the export versions of the B.2 had the big wheel too such as the Argentinian B.62, this was dud to the export Canberra's being generally heavier than the British equivalent. AS an aside the B.57 only ever had the big wheel but with two different wheel hubs that had no relation to the British wheels.

John

[Troy Smith]

Troy, is the Aeroclub kit the best option in your opinion?

Hi 71Chally

Neat avatar....Dark Star is a bit forgotten

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Star_(film)

regarding the Aeroclub Canberra, well, I got an Airfix B.2 cheap from Modelzone when interested in Falklands planes, got a CA B.2 cheap here as it had Suez markings, then got an Aeroclub kit cheapish off ebay...

I gave a low whistle when I opened the box, it an experienced modellers kit, but what a kit, main parts are really crisp vacforms, injection nose, resin intakes, and large amount of white metal parts for details. Really impressive.

note

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235000402-silly-canberra-kit-question/

Thanks John. I may get some brass square section and sharpen the edges to use as a 'punch' for the missing 'fingers'.

I have a Classic Airframes T17 in the stash, I have a recollection that there were problems with their airbrakes, or maybe I'm getting confused with the Airfix kit?

(I also have an Aeroclub B6, but I'm saving that for a rainy day! I built one a few years ago as an E15. In my opinion this kit is the best multi-media kit I've ever had the fortune to build.)

I totally agree Bill, it is very well engineered, my view of the kit is coloured by my ineptitude! I'm glad you like what's going on on the site, it's quite quiet over there of late, but I guess with the impending re-release of the 1/48 Airfix B(I)6/B.20 as it is now, things will pick up again? I've had a look at the CA B.2 and the Aeroclub kit and they both get the topside wrong with just 5 fingers on the long row, the CA kit has a gap where you could fit the missing one, the underside of both kits are good. It's surprising about the Aeroclub kit as apart from that it is by far and away the most accurate 1/48 Canberra kit. If only Airfix had taken a look at the Aeroclub Canberra before setting too with there kit, or contacting me or John Adames!

John

Funny thing is they can be picked up for less than the retailed for when they were available, about 15 years ago from magazines I have been given.

The Falcon kit was 'a bonus' when I got an Airfix B-57 off ebay (same seller as the Aeroclub)

see also

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28923-comparing-148-canberras/

thanks for the wheels information.

cheers

T

Thanks John. I may get some brass square section and sharpen the edges to use as a 'punch' for the missing 'fingers'.

I have a Classic Airframes T17 in the stash, I have a recollection that there were problems with their airbrakes, or maybe I'm getting confused with the Airfix kit?

(I also have an Aeroclub B6, but I'm saving that for a rainy day! I built one a few years ago as an E15. In my opinion this kit is the best multi-media kit I've ever had the fortune to build.)

I totally agree Bill, it is very well engineered, my view of the kit is coloured by my ineptitude! I'm glad you like what's going on on the site, it's quite quiet over there of late, but I guess with the impending re-release of the 1/48 Airfix B(I)6/B.20 as it is now, things will pick up again? I've had a look at the CA B.2 and the Aeroclub kit and they both get the topside wrong with just 5 fingers on the long row, the CA kit has a gap where you could fit the missing one, the underside of both kits are good. It's surprising about the Aeroclub kit as apart from that it is by far and away the most accurate 1/48 Canberra kit. If only Airfix had taken a look at the Aeroclub Canberra before setting too with there kit, or contacting me or John Adames!

John

[71chally]

Thanks Troy, see you might be into a classic film as well!

It's interesting with these kits.

The more I read about the Airfix kit and look in the boxes the more I realise they delivered us a bad deal. They are inaccurate, feature awful surface detail and because they covered so many variants and mass produced them I doubt we will see an accurate mainstream Canberra kit now.

I have a couple of Classic Airframes kits to build sometime and that looks good, I'm not sure I'm up for a vacform experience, but the Aeroclub Canberra maybe the way forward if I do.

I'm hoping the CA kit will be re-released like their Gannet kit was.

Back to the Canberras, its worth noting that from a B.6 you can also easily make a B.15 and 16 with interesting unit markings and underwing stores.

I find it sad that despite the many Canberras displayed in this country, that there are no complete service standard 'second generation' bombers (ie B.6, B(I).8, B.15 and B.16) preserved. Only one PR.7 remains to represent these later Canberras.

[canberra kid]

James you're right, unfortunately there is not one part of the Airfix Canberra that doesn't need attention to some extent or another. The CA kit's aren't perfect and not an easy build, the Aeroclub kit is as you would expect the most accurate kit around, but vac forum isn't for me. Don't get me started on the lack of preserved Mk's of Canberra but to be fair it's a big aircraft and not easy for a mainly volunteer preservation moment to look after.

John

[71chally]

It's not so much the lack of preserved Canberras John, but more the choice, why there isn't a complete service B.6 .15/.16 or B(I).8 (I'm aware of the RAFM NZ swap) preserved in this country is beyond me.

[canberra kid]

It's not so much the lack of preserved Canberras John, but more the choice, why there isn't a complete service B.6 .15/.16 or B(I).8 (I'm aware of the RAFM NZ swap) preserved in this country is beyond me.

Yes indeed James, nice as the PR.9 at Cosford is, the B(I)8 would have been more relevant to the Cold War hanger. There is the two B>6's in the USA but I can't see them coming home. There is WT333 which is a B(I)8 if you look as far as the forward transport joint. At least she will be safe in NZ although the last I heard she was in storage which is a big shame.

John

[kspriss]

Dont forget XM264 over at Peter Junior's Flugausstellung Aircraft Museum, Hermeskeil, Germany .shes a B8 and complete apart from her engines

Steve

[canberra kid]

Dont forget XM264 over at Peter Junior's Flugausstellung Aircraft Museum, Hermeskeil, Germany .shes a B8 and complete apart from her engines

Steve

Yep, forgot that one Steve, another 16 Sqn Shark mouth