David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2 * FINISHED

From 1 April 1918, to present, celebrating anything RAF -- land, sea, air, person -- any kit, any scale, not whiffs. This GB incorporates the 617 Sqn/Opn Chastise 75th GB. Originally a 3 month GB, it is now super-extended through the rest of 2018. Part started kits will also be allowed to join.
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DavidWomby
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David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2 * FINISHED

Post by DavidWomby »

I picked the Canberra because I have bunch in the stash plus it's not a type people usually associate with 617. Also, in one form or another, the Canberra flew operationally in the RAF from May 1951 to July 2006. That's 55 years or more than half of the RAF's existence. I think that must be a record and the type has to be represented in the RAF 100 Year GB.

I haven't picked the kit out yet but have started researching the markings and planning.

David
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra

Post by Stuart »

A great choice David and welcome aboard - I'm looking forward to seeing it!
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra

Post by ShaunW »

I do like the Canberra and I'm really glad to see at least one in the GB. Looking forward to seeing your build, David.
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra

Post by DavidWomby »

I've been researching in preparation for this and it looks likely I'll build Canberra B.2 WD980 in the MSG/Black scheme she wore when delivered to 617 Sqdn in 1952. I always like to have a photo or two of the actual airframe I am building. Photos of 617 Canberras are pretty scarce but I have a photo of that one!

I'm 90% sure I'll use one of my Airfix B(I)6 kits for this as it's easy to make the changes to B.2.

Image

What's not so easy if fixing the horribly inaccurate nose on the Airfix kit but I have a few choices of ways to fix that. I have plenty of Aeroclub correction kits - 2 complete vac fuselages, 3 injected nose replacements and one vac nose replacement. I'll have to get decals to make the white serials that WD980 wore but they are available.

David
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by Stuart »

Sounds like a plan!
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by ShaunW »

Great stash of classic Airfix Canberras there, David. It's a shame they buggered up the moulds to make the tandem seat Martin B-57 version.
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by DavidWomby »

I just opened one of my Airfix B(I)6 boxes to check the parts and find it's one I bought used and somebody has done part of the cockpit and started the nose improvements it needs! It looks like they have replaced the area forward of the cockpit with the nose cut from a Frog B(I)8 kit.

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I have other options but would it be OK if I chose to use this kit that's already been started and had this fix applied, please? If not, that's OK with me too.

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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by iggie »

No worries from me, it's only a couple of parts and no paint involved....
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by Stuart »

iggie wrote:No worries from me, it's only a couple of parts and no paint involved....
Agreed - go for it. :-D
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by ShaunW »

Stuart wrote:
iggie wrote:No worries from me, it's only a couple of parts and no paint involved....
Agreed - go for it. :-D
I agree with my esteemed colleagues. It's only a little bit started and not even by you. Job's a good 'un. Crack on, sir :grin:
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by Gregers »

Looking forward to this. I have worked on three ofthe type. Got to admit though. The plastic on the Airfix kit is thick enough to re-shape without cutting and grafting. This includes the nose transparency. Just a tip for when you build your others. I did pick up one of my Airfix Canberras as an option for this build.

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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by DavidWomby »

Thanks for the tip, Greg, but I am well stocked with Aeroclub etc noses to fix the Airfix one :-).

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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by DavidWomby »

OK here's the box/parts pics. I will be using an Airfix B(I)6 converted to a B2.

This is one I bought used and has no decals. The previous owner has already replaced the incorrect Airfix nose with one cut from a Frog B(I)8 kit. It's a pretty good shape and much better than the Airfix but I am looking at my options and may decide to change to another untouched Airfix kit coupled with an Aeroclub nose replacement.

Image

Image

I will be building it in flight so these beautifully moulded undercarriage doors will not get used. For their vintage, Airfix detailed these far more than I would have expected.

Image

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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by ShaunW »

Good to see this off to a start, David. Those u/c doors do look very nice especially when considering the age of the kit. It really is a shame that Airfix made the moulds unuseable for this version as IMHO it would definitely be worth a "red box" reissue with new decals.
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Re: David's 617 Sqdn 75th Anniversary EE Canberra B.2

Post by JamesPerrin »

That fact that the nose was so wrong (almost Defiant bad) is probably why the recycled the mould. I hear the new S&M kit has it's issues two so looks like I'll still have to build the High Plane kit
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