Canberra

BAC/EE Canberra International "Bomber Canopy" Version Pts.I, II & IV
"Fighter Canopy" Version Pt.I

1/48 scale

Model Alliance Decals

Reviewed by Mick Evans

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Model Alliance has produced more fine quality decal sheets depicting international operators of the BAC/EE Canberra. 

The decals are available in both 1/72 scale and 1/48 scale.  In 1/48 scale the decals are designed for the new Classic Airframes kit and, if anyone still has one unbuilt, the old Aeroclub kit.  In 1/72 scale the only offering currently available is the High Planes kit.

The decals are superbly printed with good colour saturation and register.  As usual the carrier film is ultra thin and my experience with Model Alliance Decals in the past has been that the decals have to be handled carefully and snuggle down into the surface detail well.  The carrier film then almost totally disappears under a coat of clear.

All the data decals are provided as well as the wing walkways.  The guys have once again done a superb job of the decal artwork and the instruction sheet artwork.  The instructions also give some good detail colours and weathering for some of the aircraft.

The decal sheet is complemented by the excellent Aviation Workshop Publications On Target Profile No 11 Canberra Pt.2.

International Bomber Canopy Version Pt I  MA-72139 and MA-48139 (see title image)

New Zealand

• English Electric Canberra B.2 WF915 of 75 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force based at Tengah Singapore during the Malayan Emergency in 1959.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey undersides.  The fin has a BS381C.637 Medium Sea Grey fin panel with a large Kiwi and a green map of New Zealand painted in it.
• English Electric Canberra B.2 WJ605 of 75 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force based at Tengah Singapore during the Malayan Emergency in 1959.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey undersides.  The fin has a yellow map of New Zealand painted on it.

Rhodesia

• English Electric Canberra B.2 RRAF 163 of 6 Squadron Royal Rhodesian Air Force in late 1959.  This aircraft is painted overall silver.
• English Electric Canberra B.2 R2175 of 6 Squadron Royal Rhodesian Air Force in late 1968. This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:650 Dark Earth upper surfaces and BS381C:650 Dark Earth undersides.

Zimbabwe

• English Electric Canberra B.2 R2175 of 5 Squadron Air Force of Zimbabwe in late 1980. This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:650 Dark Earth upper surfaces and BS381C:650 Dark Earth undersides.

France

• English Electric Canberra B6 F763/AM CEV Armee de l Air in the 1970s.  This aircraft is painted overall silver.

International Bomber Canopy Version Pt II  MA-72140 and MA-48140

Ethiopia

• English Electric Canberra B.52 353 of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force based at Diredawa Air Base during the 1970s.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey undersides.

• English Electric Canberra B.52 354 of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force based at Diredawa Air Base during the 1970s.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:6638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey undersides.

South Africa

• English Electric Canberra T.4 457 of 12 Squadron South African Air Force based at Waterkloof Air Base during the 1960s.  This aircraft is painted overall silver with fluorescent day-glo orange panels.

• English Electric Canberra B.2 457 of 12 Squadron South African Air Force based at Waterkloof Air Base during the 1970s.  This aircraft was converted from a T.4. The aircraft is painted overall BS381C.636 PRU Blue.

• English Electric Canberra T.4 458 of 12 Squadron South African Air Force based at Ysterplaat Air Base in late 1991.  The aircraft is painted overall BS381C.636 PRU Blue.

Venezuela

• English Electric Canberra T.4 0621 of Escuadron 39 Fuerza Aerea Venezolana based at Barcelona Air Base Venezuela in 1972.  This aircraft is painted overall silver with a yellow fuselage band.

• English Electric Canberra B(I)82 1233 of Escuadron 38 Fuerza Aerea Venezolana based at Barcelona Air Base Venezuela in the 1980s.  This aircraft is finished in FS34079 Dark Green and FS34102 Medium Green and FS30219 Tan upper surfaces and FS36622 Light Grey undersides.

• English Electric Canberra B(I)82 1425 of Escuadron 40 Fuerza Aerea Venezolana based at Barcelona Air Base Venezuela in the 1980s.  This aircraft is finished in FS34079 Dark Green and FS34102 Medium Green and FS30219 Tan upper surfaces and FS36622 Light Grey undersides.

International Bomber Canopy Version Pt IV  MA-72142 and MA-48142

Germany

• English Electric Canberra B.2 99+34 of Erprobunstelle 61 of the German Federal Republic 18 July 1992.  This aircraft is painted overall fluorescent day-glo orange. This aircraft had a replacement wing from RAF Canberra TT.18 with BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces with the under surfaces painted yellow with black strips.

• English Electric Canberra B.2 99+36 at the Luftwaffenmuseum German Federal Republic Gatow 2005.  This aircraft is painted overall fluorescent day-glo orange

India

• English Electric Canberra PR 57 IP991 of the Indian Air Force prior to delivery at Woolsington during 1958.  The aircraft is finished in overall silver paint.

• English Electric Canberra T.48 Q1791 of Jet Bomber Conversion Squadron (JBCU) of the Indian Air Force based at Agra Air Base India in 1975.  The aircraft is finished in overall BS381C.627 Light Aircraft Grey with fluorescent day-glo orange stripes.

• English Electric Canberra B.(I)66 F1022 of the Indian Air Force in 1970.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:641 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey undersides.

• English Electric Canberra TT.418 Q1792 of 6 Squadron (The Dragon Squadron) of the Indian Air Force based at Puna Air Base India in 1990.  The aircraft is finished in overall BS381C.627 Light Aircraft Grey with a fluorescent day-glo orange fuselage stripe.  The under surfaces are painted yellow with black strips.

Sweden

• English Electric Canberra Tp.52 52002 – 02 of F8 Wing Kungliga Svea Flygflottilj based at Barkaby Air Base Sweeden in the early 1980s.  The aircraft is finished in overall silver paint.

• English Electric Canberra Tp.52 52001 –e01i of F8 Wing Kungliga Svea Flygflottilj based at Barkaby Air Base Sweeden in the early 1960s.  The aircraft is finished in overall silver paint  and has a Canberra T-11 nose fitted for ELINT flights.

International Fighter Canopy Version Pt I  MA-72143 and MA-48143

Venezuela

• English Electric Canberra B(I)88 4B39 of Grupo de Bombardeo 13 Fuerza Aerea Venezolana based at Barcelona Air Base Venezuela in 1957.  This aircraft is painted overall silver.

• English Electric Canberra B(I)56 serial 256 of Grupo de Bombardeo 9 Fuerza Aerea Venezolana based at Jorge Chavez International Airport Lima during the mid 1970s.  This aircraft is painted in Tan and Brown upper surfaces and light Grey under surfaces.

 India

• English Electric Canberra B(I)58 IF922 of No1 Towing Unit of the Indian Air Force based at Puna Air Base India in 1990.  This aircraft is painted fluorescent day-glo orange and red upper surfaces with the under surfaces painted yellow with black strips.

• English Electric Canberra B(I)58 IF984 of 35 (Rapier) Squadron of the Indian Air Force based at Puna Air Base India in 1970.  The aircraft is finished in overall silver paint.

• English Electric Canberra B(I)58 IF961 of 5 (Tuskers) Squadron of the Indian Air Force on United Nations Duties whilst deployed to Kamina Congo during December 1961.  The aircraft is finished in overall silver paint.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the review sample

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2006 by Mick Evans
Page Created 17 January, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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