RAF Canberra FAW.12

[CammNut]

By the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force's all-weather fighter, the Gloster Javelin, was in deep trouble. Despite having first flown in 1951, development delays meant the Javelin had yet to come close to meeting the RAF's operational requirement.

Sensing the RAF's desperate need for a long-range bomber interceptor, English Electric dusted off its P.12 proposal for a fighter version of the Canberra. EE updated the concept with improvements designed by Martin for the B-57B, including a tandem-seat cockpit.

The MoD cancelled the Javelin and awarded EE a contact to begin development of a heavy fighter based on the Canberra. With the 1957 Defence White Paper having cancelled the planned F.155 interceptor, the Canberra FAW.12 became the RAF's all-weather fighter.

In addition to a GEC AI.18 air-intercept radar, the FAW.12 was equipped with a Napier Double Scorpion liquid-rocket pack in the bomb bay to improve high-altitude performance, and an aerial-refueling probe to extend range.

Armament comprised six air-to-air missiles: two larger active-radar Vickers Red Deans, plus two each of the semi-active and infrared-homing versions of the smaller de Havilland Red Top.

With the weight and drag of the missiles, RAF crews nicknamed the FAW.12 the "Slowberra", or sometimes the "Can'tberra", as in "Can't accelerate, can't climb, but can shoot down everything that flies".









Model is the Testors 1/72 Martin B-57B Canberra, modified with Freightdog's English Electric P.12 conversion (radar nose, rocket pack, Red Dean missiles and pylons) and with Red Top and Radar Red Top missiles also from Freightdog. Markings are from the Canberra, Javelin and Lightning.

[Captain Canada]

Awesome ! love the new nose. Sure looks to be one powerful a/c !

[chrisonord]

I likes this  :wub:and the mods look the part. nice one
Chris

[rickshaw]

I have something similar in the works as well.   Yours looks great!   

[Hobbes]

Very nice! 

[sandiegobrit]

fantastic model...you have inspired me to do a wild weasel version of the Canberra B.2

[NARSES2]

Does look good 

[kitbasher]

I have something similar in the works as well.   Yours looks great!   

Ditto is every respect.  My work in progress is slightly different, but you beat me to it - that's what happens when you dither!

Time to chop some plastic, methinks.

[Weaver]

Yeah, that's a looker! 

All I can say is that I have some similar things on the to-do list and have had for years.....

[CammNut]

Thanks folks, appreciate the comments. It was a toss up between doing this and using the P.12 conversion set on an F-89 Scorpion (it fits). I may do that next...but a Wild Weasel Canberra sounds so cool - go for it!

[Mossie]

Almost missed that it was a B-57, nice twist.

I'm yet another who's got a P.12 on the 'to-do' list.  Like the Blue Dolphin/Red Top mix, I've got a similar approach planned.  Looking forward to seeing the F-89!

[van883]

Looks good!

[Dizzyfugu]

Lovely. And plausible, too!

[McColm]

Great build, looks like I'll have think of a suitable subject for my Revell B-57.