71chally Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) I built loads of these as a kid as we had Canberras based nearby, they were TT.18s but what the hey I thought the Matchbox Canberra PR.9 kit was the best in town. There was something about Matchbox kits, from the stunning Roy Huxley artwork, usually variations of which appeared on the box sides, and the '70s bright colours of the logo and swish lines on the box top. The slightly unusual topic choices, coloured plastic and window to the rear of the box only enhance the browsing, and hopefully, buying pleasure. The PR.9 kit was released in 1978 in the Red Dot range. I think it was one of their finer offerings especially in regard to surface detail which is very fine raised type, the control surfaces and access doors etc are engraved, the decals are also quite nice, offering two camo aircraft of 39 & 13 squadron and an all over silver painted machine of 58 Squadron. However as I have got older I realised that there are some big errors aswel, the overall fuselage length is slightly too short and nearer the bomber length, the engine nacelles shapes are way off in plan view and not big enough at the engine faces, the tailplane has too great a chord (in fairness copied from an RAF AP error), the nose cone has the wrong profile and is slightly to long (making the whole length of the aircraft correct again)and the canopy isn't bulky enough - but still I love it! For this build I am keeping it on the nostalgia route, so I intend to build it from the box pretty much, I might try to correct some of it and I may put on some aftermarket wheels, but I really want to remain faithful to the original kit. I'm definitely going to build a camo one, as I have done plenty of silver ones, and I think it will be XH133 in camo with the full red white and blue roundels. Unfortunately the canopy transparency is missing, so I have appealed for a replacement one which hopefully @canberra kid can sort for me. Anyway, here is the box and contents, PK-408 Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr PK-408 Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr PK-408 Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr PK-408 Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr PK-408 Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr PK-408 Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr Edited January 18, 2022 by 71chally 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) As you say it was a nice kit to look at - better than my old Frog Canberra, though have since replaced it with the Airfix PR.9, which I believe also has the odd accuracy problem. I look forward to seeing it built. Yet another gap in the list filled! Pete Edited January 18, 2022 by PeterB 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Brilliant delighted to see a Canberra joining the GB. And having done so many previously there's nothing to stop you adding to this later on Cheers Pat 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 10 hours ago, PeterB said: better than my old Frog Canberra, You meaning the old Frog PR.7 kit of the 50's Pete as the 1973 B(I)8 is quite accurate, even the great man John Sheehan (aka Canberra Kid) rates it quite highly. So glad to see the Matchbox Canberra on here James and I agree a good load of bits OOB, although there's quite a few issues that are not quite right. Still it builds up very well and looks like a Canberra from all angles at the end of the day. Cheers, welcome aboard and best of luck.. Dave 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Looking forward to this one James, got one of geese in the stash and not seen one in a WIP before so eager to see what it's like. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said: You meaning the old Frog PR.7 kit of the 50's Pete as the 1973 B(I)8 is quite accurate, even the great man John Sheehan (aka Canberra Kid) rates it quite highly. I’ve got a Frog PR.7 somewhere. If I survive this latest House move I must find it and have a look at it as from memory it didn’t seem too bad for it’s time. If I don’t survive this latest House move I haven’t made my Will yet Dave so you can’t go looking for it just yet. Must find the time tomorrow to write one so you can go looking for it and learn how to play that really fun Game “Which #@£*%€ Box is that kit in?” Also there must be a lot of Frog B(I).8 kits without their noses as until the Aeroclub nose correction came they were usually robbed by those building the 70’s Airfix kit of the Canberra to fix up it’s nose! Edited January 19, 2022 by Rob S 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Rob S said: Must find the time tomorrow to write one so you can go looking for it and learn how to play that really fun Game “Which #@£*%€ Box is that kit in?” Sounds like fun, although it would be better with you still there… so let’s not be too morbid. Yes, the Airfix nose is genuinely horrible which is a shame as the rest of the kit is rather nice. I digress, this threads about James’ Matchbox PR.9, so we’d better stick to the brief! Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted January 19, 2022 Author Share Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) I just missed the Frog era sadly, and when I started building in the late '70s early '80s the local shops to me were mainly Matchbox with some Japanese stuff, even Airfix stuff was seemingly further away and at that time their box art and subjects didn't really excite me. My local store in Newquay was the superb Toodees, and Jenkins a general stores had a lot of Matchbox in. I 'discovered' Frog by accident in the mid '80s when I couldn't believe that someone had done a Shackleton and so I ordered one from TJ (Tony James?) models in the London area, dead excited when that rocked up in the post! In some areas the Matchbox Canberra is better than the recent Airfix kit, especially in regard to surface detail and some of the shapes, the curve ahead of the fin and the whole tailplane junction is way off with that kit. Anyway, I used to be dead excited with my Matchbox purchases and gifts, my dad would give my multiples of them for Christmas, from the big 1:32 Sea Venom, Puma, 1:48 Prowler, Seasprite, to the 1:72 Victor, Canberra, Phantom, Helldiver, P-40 and Harriers. Edited January 19, 2022 by 71chally 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Some great memories there James and I have to agree with you, the recent Airfix Canberra kits are quite horrid. If there is ever a smooth flush airframe with minimal panel lines, the Canberra is it! On certain subjects, I’ll take raised panel lines over recessed trenches any day. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 (edited) Well, courtesy of the English Electric after sales support team, AKA John @canberra kid I now have a replacement canopy! Brilliant help from him, and also from @PhantomBigStu who dug one out and offered me one. I also have the Pavla seat to add some detail to about all anyone is going to see under that canopy, and a set of CMK wheels. I'm not sure if I will use the wheels yet as it might go against what I want to do with this nostalgia build, but they are lovely, and sooo much better than the kit ones. Matchbox PK-408 BAC Canberra PR.9 by James Thomas, on Flickr Edited February 3, 2022 by 71chally 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 No Problem James, glad to help! Looking forward to watching the build. John 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 (edited) Echo Canberra kid, made me want to do a canberra as well, though will be the old frog B8 instead edit or both, seems I’ve been a high bidder on a 9 for several days Edited February 4, 2022 by PhantomBigStu 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Great to see some very kind and generous BM members helping you out with a spare canopy here James, that's always good to hear. Now get cracking dear boy, we all want to see a lovely looking Canberra! Cheers.. Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Hi James, any news on your Canberra ? Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 Great to see you got the extras you need, looking forward to this for inspiration for mine one day. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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