AirFix / Humbrol’s 1:600 CANBERRA

Kit No. 05201

Without question this is a unique kit to review, as it is a re-release of one that was produced over 30 years ago. Thus, to focus on what we would have liked to see is counter productive, reflecting on decisions made during original research and development. As with any kit, especially one produced from existing molds (re-tooling was probably not an option), errors and omissions exist. This is a kit that should be accepted, as is, with grateful acknowledgement to AirFix / Humbrol for releasing to a community that is today; perhaps; more meticulous than the market the original was intended to satisfy. Technological advances in model production (computer-aided design and tooling), and information sharing, has resulted in a higher level of analysis (rivet counting), and expectation that is near impossible to be completely satisfied at ‘1960’s’ 1:600 scale. Thus, our discussion will focus on the optional corrective measures one may wish to undertake to transform Canberra into a study of enhanced accuracy. No discussion of the number of parts on the number of frames, bagged or not, box art, flash (on several pieces flash IS excessive), etc., follows. One exception is colour. All pieces of our kits are molded gray. Some may prefer this, we do not. It is a curious choice considering Canberra was affectionately known as ‘The Great White Whale’ during the Falkland’s War. Canberra is very much a 3-dimensional model, featuring bulkheads behind open screens on many decks, especially at her ‘laundry basket’ stern. This will require painting on inside, outside and on the underside of surfaces. Depending on the paint, and chosen application, multiple coats may be required with careful application so not to soften detail. Thus, in our opinion, white plastic would have been preferable, the one re-release feature over which A/H did have control.

Our review, which follows the sequence of assembly, assumes the reader has the kit in hand. If not, and one is available in your area, we recommend you acquire one (or two ~ a rust-streaked Falkland’s trooper diorama would be an interesting study), if ocean liners is your particular modeling interest. In spite of several problem areas, it is an excellent kit (we give it an overall rating of 8 out of 10), and known only too well there are not many liner subjects available. Canberra’s trend setting aft-funnels (although not the first), and racy profile, was an innovative design departure from traditional P&O. Very much, as marketed in 1961, ‘the ship of the future’, and one deserving of display in any collection.

Overall assessment: For the most part, the kit accurately represents Canberra as introduced into service, the era we have chosen to render our respective models. Unlike the QE2, Canberra did not suffer major exterior additions, subtractions or alterations during her illustrious career. Thus, to update her to reflect 1997, her last year of service will be a relatively simple exercise best left for a separate study. (Needless to say, rendering a model to represent a particular year of service requires meticulous research in order to determine what belongs vs. what doesn’t, corresponding to the ship’s evolution over time. Case in point: the ‘P&O’ superstructure logo was a later day addition, long after the forward ‘Stadium’ was roofed over. To display both the logo, and an open ‘Stadium’, as the model depicts, is a modeling ‘faux pas’.)

We should also note that our review is not 100% inclusive, and we encourage the input of fellow modelers whose knowledge and research has uncovered items we may have overlooked. On to the review:

Assembly 1 & 2 / parts #13 and #26: These form the Promenade-Deck ‘lifeboat’ voids. With the exception of several raised doorways, the inboard two-deck bulkheads are molded flat without the recessed entry vestibules, glazing, etc., of the actual ship. Attention could be spent detailing these bulkheads to reflect the liner’s inner architecture, yet considering the lifeboats will obscure most of this area, this need not be a major concern. For those who chose to do so, the task may be made easier by removing the tops of these pieces. Although removal will not be noticeable upon completion, some may wish to replace by Evergreen stock. Removing the tops will also make the positioning of the rendered lifeboats easier, something that should be done prior to attaching the voids to the hull. As for the lifeboats, we are unable to determine whether they are true to size. They look about right even though they do not (as can be expected) feature any covered ‘motor-launches’ of Canberra’s later years. If anything, they appear to be positioned too high, and to lower them is probably more of a hassle than it is worth. The same can be said for the circular mold marks deep within the recess. These may prove too difficult to remove, and will not be noticeable once the lifeboats are in position.

Assembly 3 / parts #27 & #28: Overall the hull components are crisply molded, detailing ports, windows, gangways and paint lines. With respect to the representation of windows, they are raised rather than recessed, thus rendering by ‘paint-marker’ may give one better control than doing so by fine brush. One omission the serious modeler may wish to scratch-build is the overhead retractable davits, two per lifeboat bay. This would be tedious, and we question the overall visual advantage to the finished product. A minor omission is the vertical stanchion at the location of the joint between the two hull pieces, aft. This can be easily corrected. With respect to painting, in keeping with traditional P&O livery, a three-band scheme is indicated: white hull, bright red boot topping and deeper matt brick red for the remainder. It has been suggested Canberra once sported a green boot topping. We have not uncovered evidence of this, and if adopted, we believe (like the QE2’s blue) it was short lived. Perhaps it was a gesture during the time of the P&O / Orient Line merger to create a ‘new look’ for the combined fleet, adopting white hulls of P&O with the Orient Line’s green boot topping? A research project for the truly curious.

Assembly 4 / part #32: Both deck ‘tips, port & starboard, framing the stairs leading to the ‘Alice Springs’ pool below (part #33), require scratch-building of the bulkheads beneath, and applying the necessary door openings.

Assembly 5 / no comment.

Assembly 6 / part #38: The one piece forecastle assembly ties the two hull halves together, providing the stacked forward superstructure which continues the band of Promenade-Deck glazing, port to starboard. The glazing is somewhat weak on this piece, especially at the location of the joints between it and the hull sections, and at the interface between bulkhead and deck surface. We should note that on most pieces the representation of glazing is weak, missing or inaccurate. Careful attention will be required during crackfilling and filing of joints to ensure the continuity of glazing is not compromised. Visible scratch marks, probably the result of old molds, on the deck surface may also be an issue. Of note, the central facing grilled vent, A-deck, is missing, and will need to be scratchbuilt and applied. Also, the two stair openings leading down to the ‘Stadium’ below were enclosed, not open as depicted on the model. (Of note: the open stadium was roofed over following her 1st year of service, as were her twin stack pipes extended.)

Part #34: This constitutes the length of Arena-Deck, both deck surface and public room bulkheads. If any individual piece warrants attention, this is the one. Unfortunately, like many others, it is featureless. The inner bulkheads, behind the hull screens, will greatly benefit by either ‘papercal’ detailing (it is our understanding a set is under production), or in the case of the ‘Island Room’ aft (extensively glazed), replacement by transparent plastic c/w appropriate unit dividers applied to the surfaces. Also of note, the deck area surrounding the Bontio Pool was planked, thus this area will either need to be scribed, or covered with pre-scribed stock of appropriate scale, cut to suit.

Part #35: This is the uppermost Games-Deck, featuring the terraced platforms that created the amphitheater aft of the Bontio Pool, one deck below. These terraces, in terms of platform risers, are inaccurate. Unless one is aiming to create a true museum piece (a high ambition), these can, and perhaps rightfully should be, left as is. However, the deck opening’s forward curved bulkhead, which completes the model’s pool enclosure, is incorrect and should be removed between the forward edges of the lowest platform, from port to starboard. Doing so may encourage one to scratch build the surrounding architecture (change rooms, and the like), and the aft facing glazed bulkhead of the Bontio Club, tucked-under forward of the pool. This will depend on just how finicky you are.

Assembly 7 / No Comment.

Assembly 8 / part #39 thru #42: Collectively, these constitute the ‘bridge island’, the stacked collection of circular platforms unique to Canberra, and the two vertical ‘wedge’ fins. All pieces lack complete window and door detail. These will either have to be painted on, or again, represented by ‘papercals’. Considering the sloppy rendition of the wheelhouse, the eyes of the ship, one may wish to file these down and either physically ‘open-up’, or replace with papercals, the easier solution. Other features which we believe were true to the original design: the p/s windscreens (similar to that of Titanic’s gymnasium), at the deck access (not indicated) into the wheelhouse (part # 41); and at the open passages (part #40 and #41) through the two fins, are not featured. Also, both inside and outside surfaces of the fins will visually benefit by the application of thin structural members.

Assembly 9 / part #44: Topside, forward of the twin stacks, featured several square surface vents, easily created by applying appropriately scaled Evergreen. Forward the stacks, at deck level, were two enclosures; one per side, corresponding to the location of the stairwell openings (part #35), which was a component of the original design. Also of note, not all openings into this structure are indicated. As for painting, the ventilation grills were not painted ‘black’, yet appear darker due to shadow contrast. In spite of the weak contrast provided by the kit’s molding, the temptation to paint these grills other than white, or applying a very thin gray wash, should be avoided.

Assembly 10 / part #58 thru #69: These represent windscreens, both longitudinal and transverse, which divided Canberra’s Games-Deck into ‘class zones’. Unique in design to Canberra, P/E replacements are not available. One may wish to file these down to half their present thickness to improve their overall scale or to scratch build suitable replacements. Also, the length of longitudinal windscreens, p/s, appear to be too close to the edge of the deck, eliminating the outboard walking path. To move them slightly inward will necessitate plugging the positioning holes, and providing generic 1:600 scale P/E outer railings, and the frames that bridged the outer rail to the inner glazed screens, fashioned either from micro-rod or modified metal staples.

Painting: We have no reason to question the accuracy of A/H’s paint schedule, being true to Canberra when introduced into service (buff radar mast, for example). Several deck areas are specified as ‘matt sea gray’ (Humbrol #27) which conflicts with the acreage of green, either paint or Astroturf, Canberra featured during her later years and is today best remembered. Considering her southern sailing route, gray would have been an appropriate deck colour, being cooler underfoot (higher reflection / less solar absorbing). Thus, we suspect the switch to green may reflect the issue of maintenance, the lighter gray being more easily scruffed, and unsightly.

Super-detailing: As with any liner subject, Canberra will benefit by the addition of 1:600 generic P/E railings, and stairs.

Summary Comments: As noted in our opening paragraph, the items identified in this review are to be considered optional. Canberra can be beautifully rendered straight ‘out of the box’, without any corrective measures, and no modeler should be discouraged from doing so. We believe in the concept of the nautical scale mile, which at 1:600 equals 6.5 Canberra lengths, or slightly over 8.5 feet. Viewed from this distance, most imperfections and omissions, the exception perhaps the lack of Arena Deck bulkhead detailing, will hardly, if at all, be noticeable. When in doubt, think big picture.

Two sources of information will prove valuable in the execution of this model. First, The Crow’s Nest (www.sscanberra.com) contains just about all anyone could need as reference material, including a colour overhead ‘cut-away’ rendering. This rendering illustrates many of the missing features we have drawn attention to, including the all-important finishing touch, rigging. The second source is the October, 1996 issue of Cruise Travel Magazine, which featured Canberra as Ship of the Month. For those who wish to render her as she was in 1997, this article’s excellent side profile photograph best illustrates what needs to be done, and details the extent of the Arena-Deck fenestration, which is lacking on the model.

In closing we would like to thank Airfix/Humbrol for the re-issue of this unique ship, one of the largest and fastest liners designed for a route other than the North Atlantic.

RMD/MC ~ 10/03