PeterB Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 Well, that's the basic painting done - it would probably have been a lot quicker with acrylic paint!. Once that is dry I can put the decals on and then it is just a case of finishing it off. One thing Italeri did miss out are the warning beacons on the top and bottom of the rear fuselage so I have drilled holes, and will put in some reshaped clear sprue painted red. The wing tip lights are on and painted ready for the tip tanks to be fitted, then it is just the wheels, undercarriage doors, pylons, bombs, canopy and the multitude of aerials. I think I will give the "plate" under the nose a miss based on Rich's info, unless anybody else has a pic of it in place! I must say that the decal placement illustrations are very poor as except for the stars they cannot actually be seen on the drawings, though the box art does show a couple more - not Italeri's best effort but at least there are not that many decs to go on! Cheers Pete 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Very nice Pete. I've checked my B-57 references and can't find any pics that show the white panel on aircraft in Vietnam, in training in Florida yes but not actually in service in Vietnam. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 Thanks Craig, I suppose they might have had it but painted black it would not be that obvious! Think I will leave it off. Still trying to decide whether to spray it matt with a slight sheen, or satin. In that climate I guess it would weather fairly quickly. Italeri say matt so I will probably use my Xtracrylic flat which normally has a sheen, particularly when sprayed over a gloss finish as this will be. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) Bit of a struggle but the decs are on. They took forever to soak off the backing paper and I had to give them a push in the end, which can cause decs to break, but I got away with it, I think the tail serials may not be entirely accurate - pics seem to show the "AF53" white when home based at Mac Dill, but black in theatre, but the kit ones are both white - it will have to do I guess, The tip tanks were something of a pain - the "flat" profile that they have on top did not match up to the wing undersurface and they may not be in quite the right position, but it is the best I could do. Bit more touching up to do as I seem to have used the wrong green in one place! After that I will see if I can get all the bits on the underside. Cheers Pete Edited September 2, 2020 by PeterB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Great to see the decals on Pete, even if they were a bit of a struggle. I think you are right with the matt varnish as like you say these will have weathered pretty quickly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisj2003 Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Looking good. (And inherently more accurate than my Airfix kit). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 On 27/08/2020 at 19:21, PeterB said: Incidentally, does anybody have any idea how the Paveway 1 bombs were painted? The body of the bomb would presumably have been OD with a yellow nose band, but the guidance kit on later versions seems to have been a reddish brown colour - primer perhaps? Italeri seem to be goiing with the whole unit on this early version in OD, and I suppose they may be correct. My experience with Paveways is as follows: The bombs themselves will be painted in OD with a yellow nose band. However, the bombs were stored in the open and so the OD would fade - sometimes quite dramatically. If you have a number of bombs on the aircraft, fade them all differently. The nose and tail units were also painted in OD. However, the units were stored in containers, so the paint should be pretty much pristine. The nose unit is known as a CCG. The section under the fins should be painted in the reddish brown colour. The fins themselves are painted in OD but usually a slightly lighter shade. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) Thanks Enzo, Would that be both the front and rear fins that were lighter, and the tubular part from the front of the CCG fins to the guidance seeker head - was that brown or OD - at the moment I have it in brown? Not sure I will bother with fading as I have stencil decs on already! Pete Edited September 2, 2020 by PeterB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 19 hours ago, PeterB said: Would that be both the front and rear fins that were lighter, and the tubular part from the front of the CCG fins to the guidance seeker head - was that brown or OD - at the moment I have it in brown? Not sure I will bother with fading as I have stencil decs on already! The fins are the ones at the front, attached to the CCG. The ones on the tail unit are wings. This photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_030129-N-5362F-001_Aviation_Ordnanceman_assembles_a_500-pound_GBU-12_bomb.jpg demonstrates the colours, but be aware there will also be an adaptor between the CCG and the bomb body which will be in OD. The goldy coloured hole is where the fin mounting shaft would fit. The three round black things are the dials so that the laser code can be set. These are known as dial-a-code CCGs for obvious reasons The very earliest Paveways had a chip which had to be programmed and could not later be reprogrammed. These were known as "burners". The black trapezoidal thing is a cover for the diagnostic test cable. The silver knob like thing is the connector for a compressed air line to allow the fin actuator operation to be tested. When the bomb was dropped from the launch aircraft, a lanyard attached to a hardpoint on the pylon would initiate a gas grain generator. This is a small pyrotechnic which produces lots of high pressure gas for about thirty seconds. The gas would power the fin actuators. There was nothing sophisticated about these. They were always a full deflection either left or right, so they were constantly compensating for the oversteer: a so-called bang-bang system. Nevertheless the Paveway CCG is very accurate indeed. The 30 second burn time of the GGG allows the weapon to be dropped from around 15000 feet if necessary. At least that was the case twenty years ago. I imagine that modern GGGs have an extended burn time allowing operation from higher altitudes. Edit: In this photo you can see an armourer fitting the adapter to the from of the bomb. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_030129-N-5362F-003_Aviation_Ordnancemen_assemble_a_500-pound_GBU-12_bomb.jpg 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 Thanks Enzo, Oddly enough that is pretty much how I had painted them a week ago - but then I extended the red/brown. I have now changed it back. Cheers Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 (edited) 18 hours ago, Enzo Matrix said: The fins are the ones at the front, attached to the CCG. The ones on the tail unit are wings. This photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_030129-N-5362F-001_Aviation_Ordnanceman_assembles_a_500-pound_GBU-12_bomb.jpg The black trapezoidal thing is a cover for the diagnostic test cable. The silver knob like thing is the connector for a compressed air line to allow the fin actuator operation to be tested. Um, not sure if we are looking at the same thing but the 'silver knob thing' but if you are referring to the object just below the black trapezoidal test port cover, then this is actually the arming switch for the thermal battery. An arming lanyard attaches between this point and a hard point on the pylon. As the bomb is released, it pulls on this switch to allow the thermal battery (which supplies elec power to theC CCG avionics) to commence operating cheers, Pappy Edited September 4, 2020 by Pappy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 3 hours ago, Pappy said: Um, not sure if we are looking at the same thing but the 'silver knob thing' but if you are referring to the object just below the black trapezoidal test port cover, then this is actually the arming switch for the thermal battery. An arming lanyard attaches between this point and a hard point on the pylon. As the bomb is released, it pulls on this switch to allow the thermal battery (which supplies elec power to theC CCG avionics) to commence operating You are quite right Pappy. That's the faulty memory from 20 years ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 (edited) Bit of a fiddle but the underside is now done. I have lightened the pic artificially so that you can see things a little better - black is a pain to photograph!. I have glued on the wheels and doors, pylons and sway braces together with numerous small aerials and things. I added a couple Italeri missed out, and shorthened what I suspect is a fuel dump pipe just behind the tail bumper as it looked far too long - would have hit the ground well before the bumper! You may just be able to see my warning beacon between the forward pair of white aerials. All that is now left is the windscreen, canopy brace and canopy and 3 aerials, together with what is either some sort of probe or pitot tube on the nose. In the Osprey book they say they had no IFR facility but the long thing on top of the nose sure looks like one to me - anybody know what it really is? After that I can hang the bombs on the racks and give it a finishing coat of varnish. Cheers Pete Edited September 4, 2020 by PeterB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 Looks great Pete, you're right in that black is a real PITA to photograph properly. Definitely no refuelling probe on a B-57 of any sort so not sure what that thing on top of the nose is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 (edited) Well, it's been a messy old day. First I broke one of the main gear legs, but that was easy to fix. Then I managed to get hold of the kit in the wrong place as it is a bit like a porcupine - bits sticking out everywhere. As a result I managed to push the top hazard warning light into the fuselage and had to replace it. Finally, I decided to paint the canopy frames in the Xtracrylic equivalents of the Xtracolour enamel I have been using as I thought it would be easier to apply and correct, but guess what - the greens are fine but the tan does not match! In fact it is somewhat "redder" and more like the paint I used on the RF-101C which I posted a pic of earlier. Looks like the B-57G is not going to quite match the other two kits I intend to build in this GB, together with the RF-101C and F-105D I already have in SEA colours - not sure about my F-4C and F-4E as I definitely used Xtracolour enamel on them but the tins can vary quite a bit over the years no matter how "authentic" they claim to be! See what I mean - I used the previously unopened one on the left as the much older one on the right was on its last legs, but perhaps that was a mistake! I wonder why they changed the label wording from "Tan" to "TAN"? Perhaps Hannants decided that the majority of their paint customers were getting on a bit like me and had failing eyesight! I think the Xtracrylic version is a match for the older of the enamels for some reason - perhaps the later tin I used on this build was from a duff batch. Anyway I managed to control the shake in my hands long enough to overpaint the frames in enamel and have just about finished! OK, I will have to sort out the canopy joint as it needs a little filler, but everything is on! I will have to extremely careful handling it when I spray the topcoat as most of the Italeri aerials are a butt fit. If nothing else it should make an interesting variation to the other Canberra builds that will hopefully end up in the gallery. Must admit I am not entirely convinced with the Light Gull Gray internal canopy support frame (it is extended if you want an open canopy), but it is done now and I am not going to take the canopy off to repaint it (probably). Oddly enough it looks darker when viewed from some angles! With the benefit of hindsight I think Dark Gull Gray or even black would look better. But, as the dozy character in "Mad" Magazine (Alfred E. Neuman?) used to say - "What, me worry!" See what I mean about the probe or whatever on top of the nose? I suppose it must be a pitot tube or something like that but it certainly is long enough for a refuelling probe. I know that the USAF was in the process of converting to the Boeing "Flying Boom" refuelling system, but at the time of this conflict many planes still had the British Flight Refuelling Ltd. "Probe and Drogue" system like USN planes I believe. Cheers Pete Edited September 4, 2020 by PeterB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 15 minutes ago, PeterB said: Finally, I decided to paint the canopy frames in the Xtracrylic equivalents of the Xtracolour enamel I have been using as I thought it would be easier to apply and correct, but guess what - the greens are fine but the tan does not match! In fact it is somewhat "redder" and more like the paint I used on the RF-101C which I posted a pic of earlier. Looks like the B-57G is not going to quite match the other two kits I intend to build in this GB, Which just reflects real life. I once worked on a squadron which had fourteen aircraft all painted in (nominally) the same colour scheme. They were all slightly different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 Hi Enzo, Good point but the difference in this case, as shown in the pic of the Xtracolour tins, was a bit much! Once the acrylic paint has been stirred a bit more and put on as a couple or so thin coats over grey primer, it might be closer. Oh, what the heck, let's just say one or the other has weathered a bit - I never claim to be 100% accurate or indeed anywhere close to that - it's a hobby! The Paveway I bombs are painted as you suggested although you probably can't see it in the pics. It is not pehaps one of the "prettiest" versions of the Canberra, but I have seen worse - some very ugly noses were fitted to later test versions including a couple I saw at Llanbedr way back - whatever, I am happy with it! I should be able to make a start on my "Hun" and "Thud" shortly. Who knows, I might even get some Navy jets done as well. Cheers Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 6 minutes ago, PeterB said: I never claim to be 100% accurate or indeed anywhere close to that - it's a hobby! EggZACKerly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 6 minutes ago, PeterB said: It is not pehaps one of the "prettiest" versions of the Canberra, but I have seen worse - some very ugly noses were fitted to later test versions including a couple I saw at Llanbedr way back nodnodnod I once flew from Lossiemouth to Keflavik in a Canberra T.17. That has a nose that only its mother could love. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 Hi Enzo, See what you mean about the nose, but no ruddy big "cheek" fairings like the B-57G so not that bad - 360 Squadron? I gather the T17A was one of the last "operational" versions of the Canberra other than the PR9 and the Crowood book says it supposedly provided jamming for the Tonka back in the late 1970's/ early 1980's! To my mind the T11/T19 with the pointy nose look worse. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 18 hours ago, Enzo Matrix said: You are quite right Pappy. That's the faulty memory from 20 years ago! Don't beat yourself up, the rest was quite accurate! Great progress Pete cheers, Pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triet Cam Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 It looks very good. Once the flat coat comes on, it'll look battle hardened. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) Finished! To see the camo at its best I will need to take some pics in natural light, so that might take a day or two, although the sun has just come out so I might get lucky! That's better. Not been a bad build and I enjoyed it. Thanks to the various other modellers who have helped me out with info. Looks like the probe has got the droops! Cheers Pete Edited September 6, 2020 by PeterB 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisj2003 Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Yay. First Cranberry completed. I like that. The LGBs peeking out look good. Any u/s piccies? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 Hi Chris, As you asked- 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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