Canberra Restoration

I always thought the ‘early ’60s solid dayglo paint scheme applied to the RAF’s trainers was replaced by dayglo paper strips, because dayglo paint faded too quickly and had to be constantly repainted.

Not really Albert. The dayglo paint didn’t “stick” too well and flaked easily, especially around rivet heads. Granted it faded some after a while, but it was also very prone to pitting and peeling after flying though, say, a rain storm. Ended up looking awful, like someone had sneezed on the airframe. I guess it was the “looking awful” bit that eventually led to its demise and replacemnt with Fablon self-adhesive dayglo. As for that stuff . . .

Guess they can handle it in small strips like on the Canberra.

The T.4’s, some OCU’s and some Signals aircraft used it a lot. Wastage, when applying it, was horrendous though, must have caused the MoD bean counters to have a fit because it dropped out of fashion. Funnily enough, it didn’t come off so easily when we used it for making zaps! :rolleyes:

Ahah! Excellent stuff. I always thought the ‘early ’60s solid dayglo paint scheme applied to the RAF’s trainers was replaced by dayglo paper strips, because dayglo paint faded too quickly and had to be constantly repainted. Guess they can handle it in small strips like on the Canberra.

OK I have to wade in here and start tossing teddies. Damien why are you being picky about the color?

Settle down Peter, DB was indulging in banter that’s all. If you spend any time with him you’ll find out that’s what he does. :rolleyes: Nobody’s impugning Malc, if they were be sure I’d be after ’em.

Albert. . .
The dayglo colouring on 922’s wings is orange paint – as applied by A&AEE – not that self-adhesive stuff. That rubbish was pretty much only used by the RAF who had the wherewithall to keep fixing it. It used to come off readily in flight and was a pain in the a$$ to apply. In fact, the only places it was used successfully was as zaps and on the troops’ cars and crew-room signs.

Damien
Yeah . . . . 😉

finding fault with This restoration effort

OK I have to wade in here and start tossing teddies. Damien why are you being picky about the color? If any other museums have restored their canberras to such a high standard single handedly like Malcolm has then I would like to hear about it.
Malcolm has done a damn fine job on this aircraft and shame on anyone who points the finger and says well that is not right especially something as minor as shades of paint!!!

See… :rolleyes: 😀

See what? At least the colours are accurate? 😎

Not a problem squire, took it as banter. 😉

Anyway, Albert can’t complain as it was his pic that was used as “source material”. We (Malc and me) did exhaustive tests for colour balance, taking into account apparent colour tempertaure, hue, saturation, brightness, PanTone number, original film-base stock, date of image and the colour of Albert’s socks the day he took the slide. Then we just eyeballed the pic and Malc painted it orange. 😀 😀

Interesting, but why ‘paint’ it orange when the RAF still have plenty of dayglo orange adhesive paper in vast roles, which is what it is? I guess that paint is more durable than adhesive paper?

That’s impressive. But is it the right shade of orange? 😀

P**s off! It’s perfect!!! If all restorers were as festidious as me(not ‘picky’ I might add) and did their research properly, we would have a lot more accurate museum and airworthy aircraft to see, rather than some of the ‘that’ll do’, or ‘near enough’ restorations. If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly and the MAM Canberra is a fine example!

Not a problem squire, took it as banter. 😉

Anyway, Albert can’t complain as it was his pic that was used as “source material”. We (Malc and me) did exhaustive tests for colour balance, taking into account apparent colour tempertaure, hue, saturation, brightness, PanTone number, original film-base stock, date of image and the colour of Albert’s socks the day he took the slide. Then we just eyeballed the pic and Malc painted it orange. 😀 😀

That’s impressive. But is it the right shade of orange? 😀

Anorak! :diablo:

But it’s intended to “weather in”. :rolleyes: 😉

.

I sent Malc a copy of Albert’s photo of 922 landing at Boscombe (see above) as it’s the only one either of us has seen of 922 in the same colours as she is now at MAM. And today, this happened . . .

Compare with my pic at the head of the thread.

How many other air museums could react that fast? 😀

I visited MAM last year and the chap working on 922 (I assume that’s Malcolm) couldn’t have been more accommodating, even invited us in and powered her up!

Tom.

You really should take more notice of the huge six foot white letters under the wing 😉 , PS see you there tomorrow!

PS, Yep, ‘163 is our one!

Is WK163 Air Atlantiques Canberra? I should know – I bang my head on her most weekends! She’s lovely and I can’t wait to see her fly again.

I’d be a crap plane spotter wouldn’t I 🙂

JC

Never been to MAM, despite it being much closer than the usual museum venues. Must try and get along this year – sounds like an impressive achievement for the work of one man!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – well done to Malcolm, he’s doing a magnificent job single-handedly on the Canberra, and yes I do think he should get some sort of award or recognition for what he is doing. Very nice guy as well.

Had a very enjoyable afternoon at MAM last Sunday. It’s a very friendly place and a good collection of Aircraft. Getting to sit in the Vulcan cockpit had to be the highlight though!

WK163 is the best looking civilian operated jet on the circuit. Just beautiful.

The Canberra is such a lovely aircraft – must get to Marham a bit more often this year. They won’t be around much longer

Yeah it’s gonna be a shame when the PR9’s go but at least WK163 should be back soon.

If only the preservation movement had a few more Malcolms – if he ever wants to move down to Herts, he will have a welcome home!!

The Canberra is such a lovely aircraft – must get to Marham a bit more often this year. They won’t be around much longer 🙁