E.E. Canberra
Conversions and Decals

for Airfix and Xtrakit

Alley Cat, 1/72 and1/48 scales

Reviewed by Mick Evans

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Alley Cat has produced a nice line of conversion kits to covert kits to display esoteric research and experimental models of the aircraft variant.  This review covers six conversions for the Canberra based on the basic Airfix 1/48 scale kit and I am sure that with some work they could convert some of the Classic Airframes kits as well. 

The resin parts are crisply cast and beautifully detailed and no air bubbles are apparent in the castings.  The clear resin canopies are excellent, crystal clear and no apparent air bubbles and most of all no shrinkage or warping as I have seen in other clear resin parts from other manufactures.

By the way, the clear reinforcements on the inside of the canopies are not a casting fault – they are supposed to be there. Nice detail!

Shorts SC.9 Conversion AC 48008C and AC 72009C

AC 48008C is designed for the Airfix 1/48 PR.9 kit and AC 72009C is designed for the Xtrakit 1/72 PR 9 kit.  This conversion contains 3 large resin parts, the distinctive large pointed radar nose with the large bumps above and below the nose, and the two wing tip fuel tanks.  AC 72009C also has a resin drill template included.  The decals sheet contains markings for XH132 in four Royal Radar/Aircraft Establishment colour schemes.

Option 1 – Serial Number XH132 based at Pershore in 1972.  The aircraft is finished in overall High Speed Silver with a grey primer fin panel, fluorescent Red fin panel, black anti glare panel and a natural fibreglass radome.

Option 2 - Serial Number XH132 based at Pershore in the 1970s.  The aircraft is finished in overall High Speed Silver with a black nose and rear fuselage and a natural fibreglass radome.

Option 3 - Serial Number XH132 based at RAF Wyton in 1976.  The aircraft is finished in the RAE “Raspberry Ripple Scheme of BS381C:302 Gloss White, BS381C:536 Gloss Identification Red and BS381C:110 Gloss Identification Blue.  The aircraft has a black anti glare panel and a natural fibreglass radome.

Option 4 - Serial Number XH132 based at RAF St Mawgan in 1985.  The aircraft is finished in BS381C:389 Camouflage Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:627 Light Aircraft Grey under surfaces.  The aircraft has a black anti glare panel and a natural fibreglass radome with the light blue and pink subdued national markings.

Canberra B.2 replacement canopy and nose transparency AC48010C

This set has a corrected canopy and nose transparency cast in clear resin.  The canopy replacement part contains the entire area covering the navigator’s position and the windscreen contains two clear vision ports which is required for the Australian trainer version.

Canberra T.4 Conversion AC48011C

This set has a corrected canopy cast in clear resin and 6 parts cast in solid resin including a new instrument panel, co-pilots control column, ruder pedals, throttle quadrant, floor insert and a solid nose replacement.  The canopy replacement part contains the entire area covering the navigator’s position.

Canberra TB.6 Conversion AC48012C

This set has a corrected canopy cast in clear resin and 5 parts cast in solid resin including a new solid nose replacement, 2 cable ducts for under the nose and 2 optional camera fairings.  The canopy replacement part contains the entire area covering the navigator’s position.

Canberra T.11/19 Conversion AC48014C

This set has a corrected canopy cast in clear resin and a new solid resin nose replacement.  The canopy replacement part contains the entire area covering the navigator’s position.

The decals in AC 48008C and AC 72009C are printed by Fantasy Print Shop and are crisp, accurate in colour and in register.  They look to be very thin and should conform well to the surface detail, but they will have to be handled carefully.

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These are relatively simple conversion sets and are recommended for any modeller due to the relative simple installation of these kits.

Thanks to A2Zee Models for the review sample

Alley Cat and FAA Models' accessories are available from A2Zee Models  website

Review Text Copyright © 2009 by Mick Evans
Images Copyright © 2009 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 August, 2009
Last updated 17 August, 2009

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