This is my
first submission to a modelling website! The sleek grey/black bomber
sitting in the middle of my scruffy work table is the Classic Airframes
1/48th scale Canberra B.2 - this was the replacement for the legendary D.H.
Mosquito operated by the RAF in WW2. The first Canberras were delivered in
this Medium Sea Grey/Gloss Black scheme in late 1951. My model represents
an aircraft of No.44 Squadron RAF in 1955.
The model is
pretty much built straight from the box, and as typical of a short-run kit
there were a lot of fit issues - especially with the cockpit bulkheads and
the fronts of the engine nacelles, which were moulded as separate pieces.
Like the earlier CA Meteor kits, these were a nightmare to get right - I'm
still not entirely happy with them! Don't bother going nuts over interior
detail - there is virtually nothing to see once everything is closed up,
and a black interior doesn't help. I needed plenty of weight - about
170grams (6 oz) to keep this bird sitting upright - I also shortened the
nose undercarriage strut as it is too long as moulded. Luckily the
undercarriage struts are built like tree trunks and easily support the
weight of the finished model.
I used
Xtracolour Medium Sea Grey over Humbrol Gloss Black with Tamiya X-11
Chrome Silver for the wingtip tanks and wheel wells. The national markings
and bird emblems are courtesy of the kit decals, Model Alliance decals
provided the white serial numbers.
The Canberra
is a post-war British classic and a long time favourite of mine - I have
several more stashed away for future projects!
Mike
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