Paul's Canberra project status

[nazca_steve]

Lovely sentiments, Sean, a Merry, trouble-free Xmas to all and best of luck with our old scanner. I've been reading up on Rhodesia, the Bush War and related-topics of late to better understand the history behind the repaints I'm going to do. I will admit, my knowledge of the Rhodesia/Zimbabwe 'transition' was sketchy at best, but I now have a better understanding of things.

Certainly there seem to be a lot of ex-Rhodesians who feel very strongly in favour of the efforts made by 'PK', Ian Smith's government and the Bush War. I listened with interest to the 'Green Leader' cockpit recording from 'Operation Gatling' and also read about the preceding shoot-down of the Viscount RH825 and subsequent massacre. The whole thing is, I'm sure, a sensitive and divided topic. Regardless, it is very interesting to see how 5 and 6 Sqns of the Rhodesian airforce fared after the Zimbabwe name change, so if you have any material on this (photos, stories etc.), I'd love to read them.

Best regards and keep your fingers crossed for the Xmas release (only a week to go, Paul if you're reading this - make it 2007, brother!!!)

Steve

[Motormouse]

In the meantime, Paul K asked me to do the orange B.2 with borrowed wings from a 100 Sqn TT.18 (yes, this did exist!), so Paul, here you go mate. I have also made a short video of a flight test if anyone's interested:

Quite a lot of Canberra bits were interchangeable (within like for like variants IE B2 to T17, B(I)6 to Pr7),
it was a fairly easy beastie to take apart, with defined 'transport joints' where it could be taken apart for road transport.

Back in 1979/80 when the Canberra refurbishment programme was on-going they used to fly to St.Athan, get stripped of all military equipment, then dis-assembled and sent by road to Chadderton for the factory to work on.

ttfn

Pete

[sknepper]

That's certainly a fact there Pete mate. I guess that Lego/Duplo probably got it's first idea's for ease of construction from those old birds. Why did't we carry on the trend in designing such stunners until the present day. It beats me xwink.
And as an answer to your request Steve for some info on Rhodesian Canberra BII's, I'll send the photo's with info in a pm.

[nazca_steve]

In the meantime, Paul K asked me to do the orange B.2 with borrowed wings from a 100 Sqn TT.18 (yes, this did exist!), so Paul, here you go mate. I have also made a short video of a flight test if anyone's interested:

Quite a lot of Canberra bits were interchangeable (within like for like variants IE B2 to T17, B(I)6 to Pr7),
it was a fairly easy beastie to take apart, with defined 'transport joints' where it could be taken apart for road transport.

Back in 1979/80 when the Canberra refurbishment programme was on-going they used to fly to St.Athan, get stripped of all military equipment, then dis-assembled and sent by road to Chadderton for the factory to work on.

ttfn

Pete

Speaking of the design of the old girl, what was it like in the top storage hatch, Pete? I've had a squizz in the rear belly hatch, but did not have a chance to check out the top hatch...I'm guessing it had to be pretty cramped in there (kind of the like rest of the Canberra!) given that it's sandwiched between a transport joint and the main fuel tank. What kind of stuff was typically stored in there? My Grandad told me stories that booze was sometimes 'transported' on inbound Malta flights (I'm sure Cyprus too)

[Trev Clark]

You would be suprised where booze can squeezed in service aircraft! The customs guys at Manston never looked hard ;-) ,the designer of the Puma left the perfect space between the ribs for packs of 200 ciggies, that the 'soundproofing' hid a treat!

[Imperator]

I'm really looking forward to this

[nazca_steve]

You and me both, Henry. As you may have noticed, there is small glitch around the upper engine nacelle texture; this is because Paul has a newer B.2 engine texture which will ship with the release, and then I will duly amend mine. Nevertheless, you get an idea for what's coming. I chose to do B-101 initially as it has the nice little 'Pelicano I' nose art which the others didn't seem to sport. As you know, I have B-111 (T.64) done as well, Paul has done B-105, and I may choose to do another B.62. I just ordered Wings of Fame Vol. 17 which features an entire article on the FAA Canberras, so once I have some more reference material for weathering and markings, I'll take it further.

Steve

[nazca_steve]

The detail in the nose-pod is looking very good. Loved the film and the really meaty sounds with it. Must be a charm to fly, to be sure, to be sure. And Xmas will be lonely without it. xwink But the wait will be worth it. xsmile I did find the old scanner I talked about earlier, but it's the old-fashioned parallel port type which won't like my pc, so maybe a chance to spoil myself with a sparkling new USB version for those RRAF Canny's. Here's wishing everyone reading this a very merry Xmas and an exciting 2008.

Well Sean, thanks to your trusty scanner, here is the first of the Rhodesian Canberras - an early era dark earth camo scheme with the sky blue belly (which I rather like). Next up is a dark earth belly Zimbabwean Airforce (for variety's sake) version and finally a natural metal RRAF version. See what you think:

[nazca_steve]

**STOP PRESS**

Paul has just emailed me saying the project is complete and he is going to upload the files to Simviation.com just after Xmas. I have asked him about uploading to CB Files as well and will let you know his response. Apparently there are over 50 models total, so it's going to take him a while, but the good news is that the hard work is done (although uploading that many is going to be a bu**er as well!).

Looks like I better start packaging up my end of the job now after all. Merry Xmas to all xwink

Steve

[Tweek]

Excellent news!