Classic British Flight Sim

Hello all,

would anyone by chance have any photos from Farnborough 1957? Specifically I am trying to gather info on the second Canberra protoype, VN813, which appeared at the above display, and is listed as being 'blue overall' http://www.scramble.nl/mil/show/showrep ... rnbo57.htm. If anyone can shed some light on whether this was true, or if it appeared in bomber command black/grey, that would be much appreciated. I would also like any photos or details anyone has on the colour scheme it later appeared on whilst serving as a test bed for the De Havilland Spectre rocket engine. I have one shot and it appears black overall, but cannot confirm this.

I know this is a bit of a longshot, but you never know what photos are lurking around.

Nevertheless, here is what I have done on the supposed all-black VN813 so far (bear in mind there is no model for this actual test-bed aircraft, so some of you will notice the engines are far from the Spectre type. I have also attached two shots of the VN799 blue repaint for the new squared-off tail model that Paul gave me to test (very nice).









VN799:





Cheers all,

Steve

Steve

What is your source for the Spectre Canberra?

I have "English Electric Canberra" by Beamont and Reed published by Ian Allan in 1984 that shows a monochrome picture of VN813. Perhaps it is the same as the one you have?

But it also has a (poor) monochrome photo of all 4 prototypes with VN799 in a paler overall scheme, but the other 3 all in light upper/black lower scheme.

I will connect up my scanner later if these might be of use.

Ian

Hello Ian,

my source is the Bruce Halpenny book 'Canberra', which shows a small b/w photo profile shot of VN813 parked, looking very dark indeed. I also found a very small photo online showing VN813 and one of the other prototypes, 850 maybe, parked at Farnborough, but it's so small it's hard to make out details (b/w as well). It looks like 813 might be in the two tone black and grey, which is possible, since it was 1957, and the Spectre testing was in '50-'51 when it might have been in an all-black scheme.

WOuld you mind kindly scanning that other shot you have with all four protoypes? Only if it is not too much trouble, as I would love to see that. Also, where did you get your copy of the book from, as I have only seen rather expensive copies of it on Amazon and wondered if there is a cheaper alternative somewhere on UK soil.

Best,

Steve

Steve

I'll scan tonight. I'm afraid my copy of the book was new in 1984 from a book club.

Best price on the internet seems to be

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Searc ... &x=13&y=11

Ian

Hi Steve i have found an Airshow listing at Farnborough and look down the list and it says = VN813-CANBERRA B1-DE HAVILLAND-2nd Prototype. Spectre rocket ftb.Blue overall. Now i know this is '57 and you are talking bout 50-51? What me to do some digging?

Link to full airshow listing for '57
http://www.scramble.nl/mil/show/showrep ... rnbo57.htm


Techy

Techy

That's the reference (Scramble) that Steve was referring to. Any confirmation of that would be helpful to Steve. The monochrome photo that I have might be a lighter shade than black but uncertain.

Ian

oops not reading the FULL post....didn't see the link above but will keep searching....Sorry mate.

Techy

You have to watch this.....Pure vintage footage...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ShSj8qWpR0

techy

Nice little clip there Techy

In the seat ejector test the victim.....I mean test man look really keen the way he really jumped to it.....not

Garry

Techy111 wrote:You have to watch this.....Pure vintage footage...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ShSj8qWpR0

techy

A beauty of a find there, Techy, I've never seen anything like that, but being a Canberra nut, that is like finding El Dorado or something. The christening ceremony no less! I believe that was WD929 at Biggin Hill in '51 and according to my book here, it ended up in a scrapyard in Adelaide, rather appropriately.