RB-57D Canberra markings

[rossm]

I have almost finished the High Planes RB-57D in Taiwanese markings. The only photo I know of is the the Robert Mikesh book "Martin B-57 Canberra – The Complete Record" and it's not clear if there is an ejection seat warning triangle. Other RB-57Ds sometimes seem not to have triangles but some do. Also there seems to be some kind of stencil marking on the lower edge of the canopy fairing. Did this replace the triangle?

 

Does anyone know if the triangle was carried and what the stencilling is please? Maybe @canberra kid?

 

TIA,

Ross

[Blimpyboy]

I'm not sure if you've seen the Bestfong or High Planes decal sheets, they may contain some information (at least, you could contact them and ask).

The Bestfong sheet is a little past the halfway mark on this page: http://www.bestfong.com/decal/bestfong-decals-airplane-1945-now

The High Planes markings are here: https://www.hpmhobbies.com/high-planes-martin-rb-57d-canberra-kit-1-144/

 

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2020 by Blimpyboy

[Blimpyboy]

Historical aside - despite the press given to the Gary Powers/U-2 shoot-down in 1960, a Taiwanese-operated RB-57D was the first aircraft known to be shot down by a surface-to-air missile (1959).

Edited July 14, 2020 by Blimpyboy

[rossm]

7 hours ago, Blimpyboy said:

I'm not sure if you've seen the Bestfong or High Planes decal sheets, they may contain some information (at least, you could contact them and ask).

The Bestfong sheet is a little past the halfway mark on this page: http://www.bestfong.com/decal/bestfong-decals-airplane-1945-now

The High Planes markings are here: https://www.hpmhobbies.com/high-planes-martin-rb-57d-canberra-kit-1-144/

 

 

 

I have the 1/72 High Planes kit with the Taiwan markings but it also contains USAF markings and the ejector seat triangles seem to relate to that option and look to be too big. The drawing in the kit instructions matches the drawing in your post.

 

Thanks for the pointer to Bestfong, the sheet in your post appears to show the triangle but the 1/144 sheet in your link doesn't. My suspicion is all the information available is the photo in the Mikesh book noted in my original post where a small triangle could be hidden behind the access ladder and there seems to be some marking on the canopy.

 

I'm now wondering if there are photos of other RoCAF aircraft of that era which might give a clue how they dealt with seat warning markings. If I don't find anything I think I'll go with no marking per the kit instructions, it would be easier to add them than remove them if anything definite turned up later.

 

[Blimpyboy]

It's indeed a puzzler!

 

I suspect the lack of any good photography stems from the aircraft being CIA-owned. As I understand it, they were 'loaned' to the ROCAF for a short period of time.

[canberra kid]

15 hours ago, rossm said:

I have almost finished the High Planes RB-57D in Taiwanese markings. The only photo I know of is the the Robert Mikesh book "Martin B-57 Canberra – The Complete Record" and it's not clear if there is an ejection seat warning triangle. Other RB-57Ds sometimes seem not to have triangles but some do. Also there seems to be some kind of stencil marking on the lower edge of the canopy fairing. Did this replace the triangle?

 

Does anyone know if the triangle was carried and what the stencilling is please? Maybe @canberra kid?

 

TIA,

Ross

Hi Ross

I'll check my photos when I get home.

John

[canberra kid]

@rossm HiRoss

 

I've looked at the photos, not many, so it looks like no seat triangles, standard wing work way markings.

John

[rossm]

Another question please @canberra kid - the colour of the fairing on top of the fuselage - black or red?

[canberra kid]

1 hour ago, rossm said:

Another question please @canberra kid - the colour of the fairing on top of the fuselage - black or red?

If it's the DF loop aerial on the centre upper fuselage? That is a semi gloos black. There are no beacons just small navigation lights. 

John