38 Years of the Canberra PR.9
The Marking History of XH168 and XH165

Xtradecal, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Xtradecal continues to produce excellent quality decals, in particular for RAF aircraft subjects, and once again they have not let us.  They have produced yet another fine quality decal sheet depicting the marking history of Canberra PR. Serial numbers XH168 and XH165. 

The decals are recommended for the new 1/48 scale Airfix PR.9 kits.

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

Eight colour reference photographs of the Canberra PR.9 XH131 in the Hemp and Light Aircraft Grey scheme are included in the instruction booklet.

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Thumbnail panels:

The schemes provided in this sheet are as follows:

1. XH168 in the 1960s to 1970s scheme of BS381C:241 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces with BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  Early style roundels of red, white and blue were used through this period.

2. XH168 in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s scheme of BS381C:241 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces with BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  Late style roundels of red and blue were used through this period.

3. XH168 in the 1990s to 2007 scheme of BS381C:389 Hemp upper surfaces with BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  In 1992 this aircraft had late style roundels of red and blue.

4. XH168 in the 1990s to 2007 scheme of BS381C:389 Hemp upper surfaces with BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  In 1999 this aircraft had late style roundels of pink and light blue were used through this period.

5. XH165 in the 1961 scheme of aluminium paint with a black anti glare panel.  Early style roundels of red, white and blue were used through this period

6. XH165 in the 1960s to 1970s scheme of BS381C:241 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces with BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  Early style roundels of red, white and blue were used through this period.

7. XH165 in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s scheme of BS381C:241 Dark Green and BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces with BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  Late style roundels of red and blue were used through this period.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2008 by Mick Evans
This Page Created on 25 August, 2008
Last updated 25 August, 2008

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