Where can I find good 1/72 models of the Camberra in any of their variations, except the B57.
Matchbox had a 1/72 PR.9 Canberra that had the right outline and certainly left a lot of detailing options open due to how it was engineered.
Frog also had a 1/72 Canberra. I don’t know all the details of that kit, but I understand it could be built as a BI.MK.8 among other versions.
I’d watch Revell Germany for possible reissues of either of these kits, particularly the Matchbox kit. I know RG holds most of the old Matchbox molds and has just reissued the 1/72 Handley Page Victor kit, With the Canberra PR.9 playing a vital role in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, we may see a reissue (hopefully updated a bit) of the Matchbox kit. Even if its not updated, its a good kit with a lot of possibilities.
RG also has some frog molds, a few years back they reissued Frog’s 1/72 Sea Vixen and Avro Shackleton kits, assuming the Frog Canberra molds are also in their possession, it may come to be reissued as well.
Revell have already released the ex frog canberra B1mk8, and i have heard that they are releasing the PR9. Airfix did a B6 but the nose outline was wrong but it could be made into quite a nice kit with a bit of work the main problem with this kit is that they altered the molds to make it into the B57 but the original kit can still be found with a bit of searching. there was a vacform nose to correct the airfix kit and if you could find one of those you could convert it or the revell canberra into a B6, i’ll try and find out who did the conversion kit and if its still available for you. Greg
There is a kit of the RAAfs Canberra about to be released by High Planes Models of Corryong Victoria Australia this month I would Gestemate at about $A50.00.
Dai
There was also the Italeri B-57, Aeroclub made a new nose (injection moulded I think) to turn it into a “real” Canberra
I still have this kit, only sold under “NOVO” trademark. Mold quality is quite moderate, comparing to some other disastrous NOVO’s kits (e.g. SB-2) in the terms of flash. But it has some sink marks. Well, I guess, it depend not only on molds, but who and how is using them. Plastic is thick, panel lines are rised. And I believe, they are wrong. fuselage halves were wrapped, but that might have occured during long years of storing it in basement (yes, I was buying everything, I could lay my hands on, when I was a child [:I] ) No wheel well details, interrior consists of a pilot, seat, floor and stick. Good choice would be to paint it black, since canopy is very thick (but not that distorting, as one could expect). The only option is bombay door - two parts are provided. One is regular and other features 4-cannon belly pack. Treasure for masochistic scratchbuilder [}:)] And yes, it represents B(I).Mk.8. Funny thing about this kit is paint schemes. One of them shows RAF a/c with black/dark gray camo over black undersides. I might be wrong, but I was unable to find any references for this scheme.
I hope that Revell will do some serious engineering on this kit before re-release, because releasing Frog’s Blenheim Mk.I in its original (Frog) form can be only considered as a blooper.
Hey Moonwoka, the only thing that Revell improved on the Frog/Novo Canberra is the decal sheet. one thing that it has to its credit is correct sized wing tanks (the Airfix ones where too big), when i build mine i am putting in a spare bomb bay from the Airfix kit and probably doing it in the grey over black bomber scheme. Greg [8D]
the choices are no3 sqn - green/ grey / pale grey underside
and no14 sqn - green / grey / black underside . hope this helps. Greg
Thanks to all these helpful answers. But where do you fiand these kits?
Try:-
www.kingkit.co.uk
The 1/72 Canberra from High PLanes in australia is available from http://www.hiplanes.dragnet.com.au/ as well as Hannants in the UK amongst others.
The High Plains kits are the best out there right now but the price is a little high IMHO.