Yeah, I bet it wasn't comfortable on long flights. Les Bywaters summed it up perfectly to me once when he said it was built with 1940's technology - it certainly looks it inside the cockpit. From a bystander's perspective, that's what I love about it really - it looks vintage. Now if I was having to fly in it for long periods (especially in hot weather - we've heard the horror stories) I'm sure I'd have something different to say
Since you mentioned RRAF Canberras, Sean, I think I'll have to knock out some repaints for them down the line, as they have some interesting colour schemes. Some of these look like a throwback to WW2 RAF schemes with their Dark Earth and Dark Green two tones.
nazca_steve wrote:Since you mentioned RRAF Canberras, Sean, I think I'll have to knock out some repaints for them down the line, as they have some interesting colour schemes.
Yeaah, that would be great Steve to have a few old RRAF textures. I managed to find some graphics with a good representation of the earth colours that we had on the Canny', but on my web site they're on a Vampire. (Click the blue text).
Just give a sign and I'll willingly have a look around to find some photos to help.
Last edited by sknepper on 28 Jun 2007, 20:57, edited 1 time in total.
Some of them did, but not all, so we'll be OK. Sean, I think I'm OK for colours right now, but will check out that link you sent - all reference helps after all. What's your background by the way - sounds like you were in RRAF ...tell all!
p.s. Andy, I see you are preparing for the Miles M.52 - very daring. Let's just hope it doesn't go 'project cancelled' like the real thing!
nazca_steve wrote:Sean, I think I'm OK for colours right now, but will check out that link you sent - all reference helps after all. What's your background by the way - sounds like you were in RRAF ...tell all!
I was a "late lamb" and my brothers are 12 and 15 years older than me. I didn't make it into the RRAF as I was too young and doing school time when Zimbabwean independance came. My oldest brother and his friends used to fly over our house in Canberras, Vampires and Hunters during the war years and I always thought I would follow them into the "flying seat" one day. However when I came of age, I got my wings but could not go far due to being of European origin (light complexion). That's when I decided to go further in Europe. My brother did impassion me to become a pilot with his great stories, and still calls me "Bomber Harris" because of my intense interest in the British fighter aircraft, amongst others.
That's the reason for my passion.
My other brother was an engineer and worked on things for the RRAF like the rocket rails that Andy mentioned.
Good stuff, Sean, thanks for sharing your story there. Too bad you missed the Canberras but sounds like you still have logged some good hours and at least fulfilled your wish of joining your brothers.
What exactly did you get upto in Europe after you left Zimbabwe? I didn't realise there was active discrimnation in the air force after the name change, how did those events transpire out of interest? A suddent exodus of white personnel, or gradual?
ANyway, thanks again. I'll write some more later, cheers,
Thanks for your interest Steve. Medical issues stopped me going further with flying so I gave the wings a place on the mantle piece. However I still get my kicks doing voluntary work restoring old aircraft. There was not really an exodus, but hopefull people tried to make something of it until the economic situation got so bad that basic necessities became a thing of the past. A shame really :crying: Just shows you what corruption can do. :roll:
Last edited by sknepper on 09 Jul 2007, 18:33, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks for all that detailed background Sean, very good of you to share it with us. What particular a/c are you working on or worked on recently at the Aviodrome?
OK, OK, I said I wouldn't do any more until the release, but I am getting itchy for more and have been meaning to the infamous raspberry ripple RAE scheme for a while. Here's WJ992 as seen in her days at Llanbedr before she ended up on the dump at Hurn :sad:
Looking good there Steve. This one really tickles my fancy. Always loved the "Rasberry Ripple" colour scheme. Keep up the good work!
I'll answer the previous question with a pm, otherwise we may loose track of the stunning Canny's.
