RCAF Canso A (PBY-5A)
Collection 1:
The Sub-Killers Of 162 (BR) Squadron

Aviaeology, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Aviaeology has been a bit quiet lately but they have now burst back onto the scene with a batch of brand new releases.

Tonight I am reviewing the Aviaeology 1/48 scale decal set, "RCAF Canso A (PBY-5A) Collection 1: The Sub-Killers Of 162 (BR) Squadron".

This will be suitable for the Revell / ProModeler 1/48 scale PBY-5A Catalina.

The new Aviaeology set covers ten subjects - six with photo documentation and a further four bonus options. The original Temperate Sea Scheme, Modified Temperate Sea Scheme overall White schemes are included amongst the options.

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Thumbnail panels:

Details are as follows:

 Photo-documented subjects:

• Canso A 9750 / DZ•A, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia 1942-43 - Representative of a Consolidated-built Canso A in the Squadron’s initial Eastern Air Command finish and markings scheme.  

• Canso A 9754 / P, 'MARY K', Wick, Scotland - U-1225 sunk but aircraft lost with some fatalities, 24 June 1944 – F/L Hornell’s Victoria Cross (VC) action aircraft – one of the earliest Boeing Canada-built Canso As on squadron. In addition to the VC, other awards earned as a result of this action included a DSO, two DFCs, two DFMs, and two MiDs.  

• Canso A 9759 / W, Reykjavík, Iceland - F/O Marshall & crew, U-300 damaged during extended Ubat, 4 August 1944.  

• Canso A 9808 / O, Ballykelly (Maydown), Wick, & Reykjavík - F/L David Hornell & others flew this early Canadian Vickers-production example extensively throughout 1944. It may in fact be considered to be their regular aircraft. While based in Iceland, on the Coastal Command anti-submarine warfare course in Northern Ireland, and on temporary deployments (TDs) to Scotland, Hornell's crew flew this aircraft more than any other Canso A on strength at the time.

• Canso A 9840 / J, 'HAIRLESS JOE', Reykjavík - A representative mature-production (1st contract) Canadian Vickers-built Canso A that came to the squadron as an attrition-replacement aircraft (received after the June 1944 Ubat actions and losses). 

• Canso A 11090 / X,  Reykjavík - Late 1944 / early 1945 – representative of the late (2nd contract) Canadian Vickers built, ASV.II Polyplexer-equipped Canso As with other late-service mods and equipment changes. This aircraft was received during the last phase of the Squadron’s ops from Iceland.

Subjects as graphic reconstructions based on non-photographic source materials:

• Canso A 9767 / S, Reykjavík - F/O Cooke & crew, U-342 sunk, 17 April 1944. This action resulted in multiple DFC & MiD awards.

• Canso A 9816 / T, Wick - F/L MacBride & crew, U-477 sunk, 3 June 1944.
  This aircraft was also used by W/C Chapman (Officer Commanding, 162 Sqn) & crew in the sinking of U-715, 13 June 1944. It was shot down during this battle with 3 fatalities. The Wing Commander was one of the survivors. This action resulted in awards of a DSO, multiple DFCs, and a DFM.

• Canso A 9841 / A, Wick & Reykjavík - Aircraft used for the squadron’s first Ubat recorded while based outside of Canada, F/L Cunningham (unidentified U-boat escaped, later determined to be U-550 which lost two crewmen KIA during the attack) on 22 February 1944 in a multiple DFC action.
  This aircraft was also later used by F/L MacBride & crew during an action which resulted in U-478 being sunk (a shared victory) on a 30 June 1944 triple DFC action.

• Canso A  9842 / B, Wick - F/O Sherman & crew, U-980 sunk, 11 June 1944.
  Also flown by the Sherman crew during an engagement with U-480 on 13 June 1944. Tragically, the aircraft was shot down with the loss of all but one of the crew.

Instructions are supplied on six folded letter sized sheets and one half sheet, all printed double-sided and packed with useful information, illustrations and photos. The reference is almost worth the price of admission alone.

The instructions are supplied in black and white, but when you order your set you will receive a link to a high resolution colour PDF version (without the watermarks).

Decals are supplied on one A5-sized sheet plus two smaller sheets. The colours are vibrant and registration is perfect on my sample.

If you have a Revell 1/48 scale PBY-5A stashed away, Aviaeology's new decal sheet will offer you a whole new range of interesting options.

Thanks to Aviaeology for the review sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2018 by Brett Green
Page Created 21 November, 2018
Last Updated 21 November, 2018

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