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Canberra PR9 flaps & tanks


Graham T

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On the Airfix 1/48 PR9 & using the Eduard dropped flaps (a struggle!).  Can anyone advise on the colours of the internals of the flaps & bays?  Also I want to use the underwing tanks which I know were not commonly fitted, hence my difficultly in finding photos which leaves me with no clue of the colours of the tanks.  One again, anyone know what they might have been on a DG/DSG over LAG machine from the 60s?

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Hi,

regarding the tanks: they were not that rare on the PR9. 13 Sqn based in Malta seemed to have used them a lot: https://www.airhistory.net/pub/show.php?type_version_id=13341&oper_unit_id=755&sort_by=sort_date

I am not a 100% sure but I think the grey on the lower side of the DG/DSG was not LAG, but something darker (Medium Sea Grey?). At least that's what some people have claimed.

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Whilst at RAF Wyton for 6 years (working on 51 Sqn) as @Doc72 says I did not see the PR9s fitted with wing tanks that often. One time period I do rememeber was in 1982 when a certain war was going on and then when South American vistors arrived at the base. From what I remember they were painted in the normal camo colours if the pattern that are shown in the linked photos. I also think that the inside of the flaps and all that was white.

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2 hours ago, Doc72 said:

Hi,

regarding the tanks: they were not that rare on the PR9. 13 Sqn based in Malta seemed to have used them a lot: https://www.airhistory.net/pub/show.php?type_version_id=13341&oper_unit_id=755&sort_by=sort_date

I am not a 100% sure but I think the grey on the lower side of the DG/DSG was not LAG, but something darker (Medium Sea Grey?). At least that's what some people have claimed.

Dead handy thanks!

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1 PRU in Belize without Fuel Tanks 1991.  I do not believe the jets used tanks on the way across.  I went with them two or three detachments and can't remember them with Tanks. 

 

img161-XH134-Canberra-PR9-1-PRU-Belize-I

 

img162-XH168-Canberra-PR9-1-PRU-Belize-I

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On 9/5/2024 at 10:51 AM, Graham T said:

On the Airfix 1/48 PR9 & using the Eduard dropped flaps (a struggle!).  Can anyone advise on the colours of the internals of the flaps & bays?  Also I want to use the underwing tanks which I know were not commonly fitted, hence my difficultly in finding photos which leaves me with no clue of the colours of the tanks.  One again, anyone know what they might have been on a DG/DSG over LAG machine from the 60s?

The flaps and inner wing and wheel bays and undercarriage units will be silver. The underside colour wasn't LAG for long it changed to MSG. The paint also changed from gloss to matt in the 60's. I can't remember the date but I can find it if you want? The tanks should have an adaptor so they fit the modified wing. 

 

John

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On 9/5/2024 at 10:51 AM, Graham T said:

On the Airfix 1/48 PR9 & using the Eduard dropped flaps (a struggle!).  Can anyone advise on the colours of the internals of the flaps & bays?  Also I want to use the underwing tanks which I know were not commonly fitted, hence my difficultly in finding photos which leaves me with no clue of the colours of the tanks.  One again, anyone know what they might have been on a DG/DSG over LAG machine from the 60s?

If I'm reading your question right you are specifically looking for info on the Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey camo scheme Canberras in the late 1960s.

The wing tanks were the same colour as the rest of the scheme, ie the upper surfaces were in the colour of the corresponding camo on that upper portion of the wing, and the undersides in Light Aircraft Grey (think that was current then) or Medium Sea Grey.

 

Unsure on flap interior colour at that time and would go with what the Canberra Kid says, I believe @sloegin57 Denis might know aswel.

 

On the late hemp finished aircraft it was a flat light grey colour same as gear wells and doors etc.

 

32948729322_6c0a4ff807_h.jpg

Canberra PR.9 XH135 by James Thomas, on Flickr

 

32948722312_c1d6b6ab79_h.jpg

Canberra PR.9 XH135 by James Thomas, on Flickr

 

 

 

Edit, XH171 was retired to Cosford in 1982 when it was in the camo scheme and before its repaint with the RAFM it had silver finished flap interiors.

 

 

 

 

Edited by 71chally
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I have a feeling XH168/AB's flap interior was white in the early 90's. XH139/AA too.  Remembrances from walkarounds I took in the early 90s. I'll see if I can find my photos of those heady days of cartridge starts and standing on the old Ramsey Road waiting for something to trundle around the track. to the 27 end. 

 

Andrew

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31 minutes ago, Tigerausfb said:

 those heady days of cartridge starts and standing on the old Ramsey Road waiting for something to trundle around the track. to the 27 end. 

 

Andrew

Me in the Mobility Supply Flight Landrover heading towards the old Bloodhound site.....

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Some nice references for the tanks fitted in the late 1960s and early '70s period here @Graham T,

 

https://raf-luqa.weebly.com/39-sqdn-photo-recbombing.html

 

https://www.key.aero/article/when-raf-canberras-surveyed-yemen

 

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1847594

There are more of those lovely Kevin Patience pictures of Canberras in Masirah but darned if I can find them right now.

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1 hour ago, Julien said:

The inside of the flaps here look lighter than the underside colour

 

xh131%2013.jpg

 

xh131%2014.jpg

 

 

Post refurbishment in line with all the other Canberra Mk. The flaps wheel bays, bomb/flair bays, undercarriage units and equipment bays were painted gloss white.

 

John

 

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16 minutes ago, canberra kid said:

Post refurbishment in line with all the other Canberra Mk. The flaps wheel bays, bomb/flair bays, undercarriage units and equipment bays were painted gloss white.

 

John

 

More of an "off" white by then 😆

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