Vickers Valiant B.Mk2, 148 Sqn RAF 1965-68

[Accidental Loggie]

B2, or not...  no: definitely B2!

In the beginning, there was a former RAFG Hunter pilot, one Fg Off M J McEvoy RAF who, having fallen foul of the Sandy's' 1957 White Paper, was selected to fly PR Canberras instead.  Hurrah!  The condition for joining that happy recce band was that he pass the twin-engined conversion course using twin-stick Meteors.  Seems reasonable.  However, on 5 Jun 58, he was suspended from said conversion course as our intrepid aviator was unable to fly the Meteor blind, on minimal instruments, and - critically - on one engine.  Because Canberras unintentionally flying asymmetrically was (a) unfortunately quite common, and (b) A Very Bad Thing for both aircrew and airframe alike, he was suspended from twin-engined training.

Having eshewed the alternatives of multis and helicopters, my father was sent to RAF Marham to hold on 148 Sqn as Adjutant pending decisions on his future which ultimately saw him leaving the RAF.  At the time, 148 flew the Valiant B1: important Cold War deterrent stuff, irrespective of what role anyone played in this, but my father was not very impressed.  But it wasn't particularly the fact that he was a steely-eyed fighter pilot stuck doing a dull admin job on a bomber Sqn that was the problem.  No: his main complaint was that the bombers themselves were devoid of any meaningful (aka colourful) Sqn markings, and as an amateur aviation historian and markings buff, this was apparently unacceptable!   Repeated pleas, suggestions and eventually begging to the Sqn Boss that 148's Valiants really, really ought to have fighter sqn-style bar markings in the Sqn colours fell repeatedly on stony ground, and they continued with the standard Bomber Command markings scheme.

And so this is where the story really starts...

I have finally started to build a Valiant B2, in camouflage and in 148 Sqn markings including - of course - fighter-style bar markings as a tribute to my dad.  However, an internet trawl of such a conversion in progress revealed slim pickings.  Although I've not previously posted a WIP build, is anyone interested?  For info, I'm using an Airfix B1 as the base kit with the AIM Models B2 conversion kit, with the addition of a tail-mounted "Eager Beaver" ECM/gun fitting, and wing-mounted bomb panniers.

Come Hell, high water and PSR it will be ready for Telford.

Thoughts?

[scautomoton]

Front seat claimed. Once I've seen how you do it I'll be able to get mine on the go. Except I'll be doing a B.2(BS).

[PR19_Kit]

I'm in the seat beside Stuart. 

Sounds like a brill scheme and a really good tribute to The Venerable Mike too. 

[Later] Come to think of it, is there enough room under a Valiant to fit a BS anyway, or does it need major mods?

[Steel Penguin]

sounds like a good thing from here,  im pulling up a chair, and breaking out a fruit drink 

[Accidental Loggie]

Following this overwhelming support (3 is a critical mass as far as I'm concerned👍) I'll start to post some piccies and hard-learned tips in due course.  Won't be tomorrow though: I'm off to the Royal Aeronautical Society's Hunter Day at the Cosford Museum 😁. 

Bis Spater.

[Gondor]

I shall lend my weight to those wishing to see how well you do with this, as I have a part-started conversion needing impetus to be continued.

[NARSES2]

Chair pulled up and cork popped   

[PR19_Kit]

There's a whole lot of us sitting here watching Dominic, time to chop plastic. 

Re-reading the OP, I note the 'wing mounted bomb panniers' bit. 

That sounds very much like a latter-day Wellesley, and I love the idea. What are you going to make them from, and how many bombs will they carry?

[Martin H]

There's a whole lot of us sitting here watching Dominic, time to chop plastic. 

Re-reading the OP, I note the 'wing mounted bomb panniers' bit. 

That sounds very much like a latter-day Wellesley, and I love the idea. What are you going to make them from, and how many bombs will they carry?

They are from a pre production batch that I did thanks to some of Campbel's masters that were finaly located by Allycat and turned over as they were part of the deal for me taking on Odds & Ordnance.......Same for the Beaver tail. I wasnt to happy with the quality to put this run out for sale, so the few sets I had went to Dominic, Cambel, Joe Cherrie and Thotvic. Plus I kept one for myself of course.

If I can get a mould that im happy with then the paniers will see the light of day at some point.....