Airfix 1:48 PR.9 Canberra 58 Squadron RAF Wyton

[Biggles87]

I agree with Hakan on the cockpit, it's a pity that the IP is not the right size. I would suggest using something like Tamiya Extra Thin liquid cement for the panel around the cockpit, possibly holding up the panel with a masking tape ' handle ' and running the TET into the joint with a fine brush, you might need three hands though!

I don't know what measurements the aftermarket manufacturers use but it seems to happen more and more frequently that their sets, especially for cockpits, don't fit.

 

John

[stever219]

Mike I don’t want to rain on your parade (I’d far rather it rained on my bit of Bedfordshire just now) but Airfix completely stuffed it up with the cockpit for a normal service PR. 9 with this kit.  It more accurately represents the B(I). 8 cockpit (and the first three IIRC PR. 9s.  The instrument panel ahead of the cockpit simply isn’t there and the navigator’s Martin Baker is about 18 inches back from the break of the nose cone.  The nav’s take-off seat beside and below the pilot’s position was deleted and the pilot had a side console to his right.

 

@Canberra Kid has an extensive website with plenty of photos to far better describe what I’m blethering about.  I think without the spurious kit instrument panel your replacement would fit far better and enable you to get your cockpit decking to sit better.  

 

You’ve done some quality work on this model and it’s a crying shame that Airfix didn’t do their research properly, and/or decided to arbitrarily cut costs in this are.  I really hope that you can get this built as a memento of when we had a real Air Force with truly global reach.

[Mikey-1980]

Really appreciate the input here. Especially concerning the instrument panel in front and below the main cockpit.

 

From what you have mentioned then, Could I then remove this and the set the IP into a better position?

 

It may take some careful work, but I think it could be achievable.

 

The website from @canberra kid is superb from a reference standpoint.

 

http://ipmscanberrasig.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=121676561

 

This drawing especially confirming the panels non existence.

 

Some very careful work needed then.

 

 

[stever219]

2 minutes ago, Mikey-1980 said:

Really appreciate the input here. Especially concerning the instrument panel in front and below the main cockpit.

 

From what you have mentioned then, Could I then remove this and the set the IP into a better position?

 

It may take some careful work, but I think it could be achievable.

 

The website from @canberra kid is superb from a reference standpoint.

 

http://ipmscanberrasig.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=121676561

 

This drawing especially confirming the panels non existence.

 

Some very careful work needed then.

 

 

I think you’ve hit the nail squarely there “careful”.👍

 

If you also remove the bang seat from alongside the pilot’s position you’ve got some room for ballast as well as above the nose wheel bay.

 

 

 

[Mikey-1980]

Now that's a damn good idea.....I was wondering where to place ballast for the nose section.

 

The only issue I may face is that the IP was secured using Gorilla glue to that panel. However. I can carefully cut that through and doctor it. Play about with positioning and secure the IP in the canopy aperture, With a little luck....no one will know.

 

Once the canopy is down you can;t really see the Nav seat area

 

What puzzles me slightly is that the kit comes with 3 seats and 3 pilots. From what I can gather the PR.9 was a 2 man crew? The other seat is dressed like the pilots seat as a just in case I needed it.

 

From looking at the images on Canberra Kid's site I could fashion a bulkhead from plasticard perhaps? 

 

 

[canberra kid]

I'm late to the show, sorry @Mikey-1980 nice build so far!  The cockpit as @stever219 has said, is B(I)8 and has no relationship to the Sqn PR.9's, As for the seat's apart from being the wrong type I don't know why so many, in this case 3 wrongs don't make a right! even the B(I)8 only had one ejector seat and a 'crash seat' for the navigator. Fortunately little can be seen of the pilots cockpit unless you have the canopy open, and nothing of the Navigator's station at all which is a blessing!  when you get around to painting remember the colour scheme for the 80's PR.9's was high gloss Dark Green, Dark Sea Grey and Medium Sea Grey NOT Light Aircraft Grey. 

John

 

[stever219]

Thanks for posting those photos of XH165 John.  I got to play with her for an hour or so when we were on annual camp at Wyton in 1977 I think.  I’ve an idea that she was still in gloss finish and wearing 39 Squadron’s winged bomb on the fin: she had already had the TANS antennae fitted on the tail.

[Mikey-1980]

Thank you @canberra kid that information in invaluable, especially the paint scheme. Luckily I have those already in the stash ready and waiting for when I get to paint. I think I'll need to find a reliable topcoat gloss to seal the paint and decals to give it that RAF high gloss finish. 

 

I've started on the re-modelling of the cockpit last night with the removal of the fuselage section. Next will be some careful cutting and re-modelling. Pics to follow asap.

 

I was speaking with my brother about the build last night, as he is one of the head archivists at the MOD cartographic department, he is going to try and find a lay out map / aerial photograph of RAF Wyton circa 1971. If one exists that is? 

 

 

@stever219 Sounds like you were at Wyton the same time as my dad was before being shipped our to RAF Gutersloh in 1978 I believe....2 years later and apparently a damn good night as Han's bar....I made a "surprise" appearance 😂😂😂😂

Edited July 25, 2018 by Mikey-1980

[canberra kid]

@Mikey-1980 How much work do you want to put into getting it right? The kit needs a lot of work to get the most out of it, but out of the box it still looks like a Canberra.

 

John

[stever219]

14 hours ago, Mikey-1980 said:

Thank you @canberra kid that information in invaluable, especially the paint scheme. Luckily I have those already in the stash ready and waiting for when I get to paint. I think I'll need to find a reliable topcoat gloss to seal the paint and decals to give it that RAF high gloss finish. 

 

@stever219 Sounds like you were at Wyton the same time as my dad was before being shipped our to RAF Gutersloh in 1978 I believe....2 years later and apparently a damn good night as Han's bar....I made a "surprise" appearance 😂😂😂😂

For the final gloss coat many modellers prefer the original Johnson’s Klear, but you really need to wear a respirator if you’re spraying it.  I’ve got a pot of old formula Humbrol Gloss-Cote which can also give a semi-to-high-gloss finish.  I’d give Humbrol 49 gloss a very wide berth as it yellows in the tin and can produce some very odd colour shifts, especially if applied by brush.

 

Sadly we were only at Wyton for the week.  During our all-too-brief liaison with XH165 one of our group spotted something of interest across the airfield.  “What are those Nimrods doing over there?” he asked.  Our escort looked him squarely in the eye and replied “I can’t see any Nimrods over there, and I would seriously recommend that you can’t either!”  Had they been there they might well have been, history suggests, 51 Squadron’s trio of R. Mk. 1s.😉. But I couldn’t possibly comment.........

[Mikey-1980]

haha, were they like these mystical YAK-38's....sorry F-35's?

 

Can imagine the your escort say, "You ain't seen them Nimrod, right?"

 

 

As for the Canberra, I'd like it reasonably close and look close to what a PR.9 with out spending a boat load of cash on it. I'm going to try and improve the camera bay detail as it is lacking a little bit

 

Anyways....last night I managed to perform some surgery on the tub..

 

DSC_1530

 

Always good to have some cold refreshment when working.

 

DSC_1531

 

IP  & Nav seat removed with some tub construction from 0.5mm plasticard started.

 

DSC_1532

 

I remounted the IP into its new position, making sure that the canopy still was able to fit over the top. with a little luck, the positioning was fine and the starboard IP{ in the cockpit lined up perfectly too.

 

DSC_1533

 

A little bit more extension and paint with a great area to add some nose weight too. Thanks for that suggestion @stever219

 

DSC_1536

 

Dry fit test to see if it all lines up and it does...HUZZAARR!!!!

 

I'll try my best to keep it as accurate as possible, but any pointers are always welcomed @canberra kid

[Azgaron]

Nice work, and nice when it fits!

 

Håkan

 

[Mikey-1980]

Cheers..I can now press on with the build now.

[Jabba]

Looks like you have got the cockpit how you want it. A goo job in getting it apart and back together again.

 

19 hours ago, stever219 said:

Sadly we were only at Wyton for the week.  During our all-too-brief liaison with XH165 one of our group spotted something of interest across the airfield.  “What are those Nimrods doing over there?” he asked.  Our escort looked him squarely in the eye and replied “I can’t see any Nimrods over there, and I would seriously recommend that you can’t either!”  Had they been there they might well have been, history suggests, 51 Squadron’s trio of R. Mk. 1s.😉. But I couldn’t possibly comment......…

 

Even when I arrived on 51 Sqn in 1981 we were told to tell people that they did not exist, and that their job description was Radio and Radar Calibration. At one of the open days at Wyton, about 1985 I did manage to stop people taking photos of 2 of the aircraft when new opened the hangar doors to bring back in a TR-1.

[canberra kid]

11 hours ago, Mikey-1980 said:

haha, were they like these mystical YAK-38's....sorry F-35's?

 

Can imagine the your escort say, "You ain't seen them Nimrod, right?"

 

 

As for the Canberra, I'd like it reasonably close and look close to what a PR.9 with out spending a boat load of cash on it. I'm going to try and improve the camera bay detail as it is lacking a little bit

 

Anyways....last night I managed to perform some surgery on the tub..

 

DSC_1530

 

Always good to have some cold refreshment when working.

 

DSC_1531

 

IP  & Nav seat removed with some tub construction from 0.5mm plasticard started.

 

DSC_1532

 

I remounted the IP into its new position, making sure that the canopy still was able to fit over the top. with a little luck, the positioning was fine and the starboard IP{ in the cockpit lined up perfectly too.

 

DSC_1533

 

A little bit more extension and paint with a great area to add some nose weight too. Thanks for that suggestion @stever219

 

DSC_1536

 

Dry fit test to see if it all lines up and it does...HUZZAARR!!!!

 

I'll try my best to keep it as accurate as possible, but any pointers are always welcomed @canberra kid

I know this is very lazy but rather than a long list take a look here, everything that applies to the 1/72 kit also applies to your build, take what you want from it. 

  

[SA80A2AR]

i have got this kit and it is a nice relaxing build.  as long as you don't look at the decals  i just dry brushes silver over the ip's and got a satisfactory finish when buttoned up.  there is no point in fitting the figure that sits in the belly of the craft.  i find all the stenciling easer to do if i work from the tail forward but that's just me.  enjoy the build anyway.  (heads up that the landing gear is a bit shaky.)

Edited July 26, 2018 by SA80A2AR
my spelling would make a illiterate look like a scholar in grammar from eton

[Mikey-1980]

Sorry for the absence, long weekend away in London for the Film and Comicon as well as house hunting. First viewing yesterday and already scoping out where my work bench would be located. haha! Priorities....

 

Thanks for the build log there, it will definitely come in handy.

 

I've managed to make some lead weights for the cockpit that should be sufficient. Just letting them dry in place before sealing the fuselage together hopefully tonight.

[bigbadbadge]

Cockpit detail looks good and glad to see the reworking has solved the fit issues.  Great work so far. 

Keep up the good work 

All the best 

Chris 

[Mikey-1980]

Just a small update today....my other halfs birthday, and a friends wedding over the weekend hampered any bench time....However, if anyone is invited to a Sikh wedding, GO! it is just bonkers beyond belief and so much fun.

 

Anyways....I have managed to install the cockpit and seal up the main fuselage as best I can. As expected there were HUGE panel gaps too.

 

DSC_1566

 

DSC_1565

 

So far lots of filler and sanding....sanding and filler....I though I manaded to take a picture but alas nay.

 

It will take quite a bit of effort to keep the fuselage smooth and hide those panel gaps. though I still suspect they will show through when it comes to paint....meh.....

 

Carry on.

[Biggles87]

Have you thought of putting some thin Plasticard strips in the straight gaps? If you leave then proud you can trim them when dry then add filler, I find that this works well on wing/fuselage joints.

Good luck.

 

John 

[Mikey-1980]

Thats not a bad idea....Thanks john...Unfortunately the filling and sanding is well underway. just the main seems to tackle now.

 

But that is a great idea for furture problems though.

 

Incidentally the added weight to the nose section should now make it sit properly.              

[Mikey-1980]

Managed to get a few pics of the filling and sanding...still a way to go I think though

 

DSC_1663

 

re-sribing the panel lines hasn't been too bad. but I think I have it reasonably sorted now.

 

DSC_1665

[SA80A2AR]

looking good mikey.  my canberra also had gaps that you could fit the USA through as well (just about).  joking apart though it is quite a nice relaxing build

[Biggles87]

Starting to look better, don't you just love filling and sanding? I'm at that stage with one of mine at the moment.

 

John

[Mikey-1980]

It's getting there chaps....slowly but surely....I just want to take my time with this part to make sure is the best I can possibly get it.

 

Every build I've done so far, despite all best efforts to reduce seem lines, they always appear during the paint stage....meh!

 

Some cleaning up and sanding still to do, then I think I'll move on again with the rest of the build.