Classic Airframes 1/48 Canberra T.17 Kit First Look

By Fotios Rouch

First Look

This is the third major variant that Classic Airframes is releasing of the English Electric Canberra. First they covered the B Mk.2 and the TT Mk.18 and now the T. Mk.17.

We already have covered the history of the Canberra elsewhere and suffice it to say that this variant was used for ECM officer training and ECW duties by the RAF. The ECM/ECW equipment is housed in the nose and bomb bay. The first converted airframe flew in 1965 and 22 airframes were converted in total. All T.Mk.17s flew with the 360 Squadron into the 1990s

In this brief review we are going to cover the differences between this and the B.Mk.2 variant. The main fuselage parts, wings engines and interior are the same in both kits.

The differences are in the front fuselage plug. There two completely new fuselage parts that depict the ECM/ECW nose very well. The cockpit parts are the same as before. Lots of resin is provided for the many antennas and equipment found all over the airframe and the underside of the wings. The tail cone will need to be cut off and a new resin part will take its place.

The model will be tail heavy but this time we can stuff the solid nose full of lead.

Three sheets are provided to cover the decal options. One is for the stencils and walkways. Two cover the operational variants with one in green gray camo and one in the hemp gray scheme. The hemp one takes my vote and it will soon be seen completed in this website.

The kit looks great in the box and should build fairly straight forward if the Mk2 is any indication. Recommended to all Canberra and RAF fans.

With the recent misfortunes of the other company that was going to do the Canberras, I recommend to Classic Airframes to go ahead and do the PR.9 as well!

For a look at my build-up of the first Canberra release, go here.