Popular Post Navy Bird Posted April 7, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted April 7, 2017 Hi mates, For my latest project I wanted to do justice to the amazing English Electric Canberra, one of the most versatile and long-lived military aircraft ever built. I chose XH134, a Canberra PR.9 chosen to wear the retirement scheme that truly marked the "End of an Era." Ashley Keates, who designed the stunning scheme, even stopped by the WIP thread for a visit. I decided to use the much-maligned "new tool" Airfix PR.9 kit and correct the major deficiencies along the way. I thought at first that I might do a bit of a kitbash with the Xtrakit model, but eventually I decided to save that kit for another day. Here is my usual executive summary: Project: English Electric Canberra PR.9 "End of an Era" Kit: Airfix (kit number A05039)Scale: 1:72 (you know me by now!)Decals: Model Alliance 729032 representing XH134, 39 PRU, RAF Marham 2006; Model Alliance 72146 PR.9 Canberras Part II, and Model Alliance 729018 Canberra Stencil Set (thanks John!), even a few stickers from the kit! Photoetch: Eduard SS352 primarily for the cockpit consoles and controls, ejection seat details, mirrorResin: Pavla cockpit C72087; Pavla wheel bays and gear doors U72-113; CMK 7181 PR.9 Landing Flaps 72118; CMK Q72121 PR.9 Wheels; SBS 72005 Canberra Correct RudderScratchbuilt: not much, just the navigator's desk and the pilot's reading pleasurePaint: Gunze H339 Engine Grey, H336 Hemp, H332 Light Aircraft Grey, H311 FS36622, H417 RLM76, H11 Flat White, H12 Flat Black, H77 Tyre Black, H335 Medium Sea Grey, H309 FS34079, H28 Metal Black, H95 Smoke Grey, H90 Clear Red, H94 Clear Green, H17 Cocoa Brown, H37 Wood Brown; Alclad 101 Aluminum, 111 Magnesium, 314 Klear Kote FlatWeathering: Post shading, some panel line work with pencil. Improvements/Corrections Fixed the fillet radius at the bottom of the vertical fin leading edge Filled and re-scribed most of the fuselage panel lines All that aftermarket stuff Shortened the landing gear struts to achieve a more proper "set" of the aircraft Removed the incorrect tailplane roots and extended the inner edge of the tailplanes to meet the fuselage correctly Added all of the crash strips to the lower fuselage Added the bomb bay rain channels Added a copy of Zoo magazine to the cockpit, as seen at Fairford 2006 Opened up both intake exhaust vents and added mesh guards 26 g of ballast to prevent tail setting Filled incorrect strengthening plate engraved lines; added separate strengthening plates from 0.005" styrene sheet Added forward fuel tank hold-down straps and brackets Added the SEM/CAN/232 RWR wingtip modifications Made new wing leading edge landing lights from clear plastic, sanded and polished to shape Added vent to forward edge of windscreen on port side Added small satellite antennae on fuselage spine Added wingtip formation lights Added aerial wire Added air conditioning exhaust vents on the underside of the inner wing Fixed a bunch of other stuff I can't remember! Build thread: Link Pictures! To give you a better idea of what's inside the cockpit/navigator's area, here is an in-process picture (note that the periscope eye guard hasn't been opened up yet): And a better shot of the navigator's fold-up desk: How long would you stay in there? Hard to see, but the pilot has left his reading material on the seat: All told, a fun build and a great time was had by everyone. Special thanks to @canberra kid and @71chally for their expertise and guidance as I navigated the Canberra landscape. I know I learned a lot! Cheers, Bill 102 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 That is a really nice pr9, well done i love all those details... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Impressive build ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerrardandrews Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Superbly made, one the best I've ever seen, great list, and reading magazine on the seat, nice touch😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 That's rather nice I may have mentioned that a few times already but hey, what the hell It's a fabulous tribute sir Lovely work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Another great model Bill - gorgeous stuff and perfect to my eye 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 One word - Beautiful ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Said it before Bill, but I think it bears repeating - FAN-BLUDDY-TASTIC! I think, no I'm sure, that is the nicest Canberra model that I've yet seen, simply stunning work - & really nicely photographed too! Top job all round! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 Thanks, mates! I just realised that I forgot to include the photos of the underside, which were taken prior to the canopy and aerial wire being attached. So for completeness I've interspersed them in the first post in-between all the others. Enjoy! Cheers, Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 This really is beautiful, there's no other word for it. There have been some incredible builds on this site over the years, but this has to be my favourite. Nice subtle panel lines and weathering and very crisp detail. A+++! Ian (and it's the right scale!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 A Wonderfully Wonky-Looking model!! (from head-on, i mean) -d- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich G Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Amazing work, it's a stunner! Rich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I simply agree with all the above, outstanding model and pictures I know nothing about this specific aircraft and it's not really in my area of interest, but this build ranks among my favs of yours, probably the best I've seen so far. The WIP thread was entertaining, instructive and enjoyable too, a fine example of what BM is like Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qn30jEkPz7 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 An amazing model and the WIP thread has been engrossing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Rhodes Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Stunning work Bill and excellent photography to finish it all off. Every photo abounds with all the extra details you put in. So when does the next build begin? And what might it be? Darren 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Wow - outstanding work, simply beautiful. Great attention to detail and great skills (including photography!) Very well done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Looks great, but does anyone wonder why they use supposedly low vis national markings that actually stand out like the proverbial? lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 This Canberra is a very nicely done model as usual - hope those navigators got bonus pay for getting stuck in there CJP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis_C Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 As many already mentioned - this is truly one of the best models at this forum!!! Incredible style of the weathering and all the small nice touches (including Zoo magazin )!!! Great tribute to a great plane! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Superb build and finish Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Lovely build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Exceptional modelling! (and what a great choice of subject too). Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Fantastic! I love it when someone takes a clunky kit and squeezes a superb model out of it (and you are a serial offender on that score). The finish is very subtly weathered and I'm sure you could stick it on a scenic background and tell everyone that it's the real thing. My only quibble is with Zoo magazine... no matter how hard I squint, the cover still looks to me like a picture of a lion wearing a Super Mario mask! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reini78 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 lopvely model, sweet detailing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Great result Bill, just shows what can be done with these kits....I'd be interested to see how ex PR9 navs walk these days, my guess is bent over double ! what's next ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now