The 5 Sqn Rhodesian Air Force flew the Canberra B.2 from 1959 until the collapse of Rhodesia in 1979.
Two paints are included;
-R2085, 5 Sqn 1970 with early "UDI" roundels on top of the original paint scheme
-R2504, 5 Sqn 1979 with the wrap around paint scheme without RhAF roundels (for cross border missions)
Aircraft and panel by Bill Holker.
Thank you Bill for making a dedicated RhAF model!
Repaint by Jens-Ole Kjølberg
E-mail: trond.kjoelberg@c2i.net,
JO_KFOR@hotmail.com
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The EE Canberra B.2 in Rhodesian Air Force service:
The Royal Rhodesian Air Force bought in 1959 Fifteen B.2 and three dual control T.4. They were flown by No 5 Squadron from New Sarrum (Salisbury). During the 1960's the aircraft were painted in a green/brown camouflage with grey underside. The Royal Rhodesian Air Force roundel was based on the British RAF roundel, but with "Assegai" fighting spear in the middle.
After the Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965 Britain imposed sanction of Rhodesia in the UN. Local ingenuity kept the Canberras flying without support from the British manufacturer. A growing conflict between the "white minority which had the power in Rhodesia and the black majority started a long lasting counter insurgency bush war.
A big problem with the Canberras in the Rhodesian Air Force, brought about by metal fatigue in Frame 21 within the fuselage of the Canberra, this was the main wing attachment frame. A known problem as these aircraft were early Canberras using metal alloys developed during WW2, this was resolved in later Canberras, such as those supplied to the SAAF which utilised more modern metal alloys in their construction. Flights at low level in bumpy conditions which put a great strain on the wing attachments were avoided but many 5 Squadron aircraft were grounded as time went by. So the fleet of Canberras slowly declined, but they were still employed with great effect during the Bush war. Long range strikes were flown deep into Mozambique and Zambia in order to attack guerrilla camps. One of the most feared weapons used by the Canberra was the "Alpha" anti personal bomb of Rhodesian origin..
Rhodesia became a Republic in 1970 and the roundel and the fin flash were changed. As a republic "the Royal" prefix was deleted from the air force name and now it simply was called "Rhodesian air Force" (RhAF) The roundel now consisted of a single green ring enclosing a large white area upon which was painted a Rhodesian Lion carrying an elephants tusk. This roundel was in the start simply applied over the old roundel.
When cross border attacks started in mid 70's, the Canberras (and all RhAF strike aircraft) were painted in a new dark brown/brown wrap around camouflage, no roundels were carried.
The RhAF and the Canberra proved very effective, but they could not turn the tide. Elections in 1980 marked the end of Rhodesia and white minority rule, from now on the country was called Zimbabwe.
Landing light operates from the cockpit switch or CTL + L. May need to be set from the cockpit initially to get the animation to kick in. (seems to happen on some computers).
Bomb Bay doors operated by the Concorde nose animation. You will have to set up two keys in the key assignments. I use , and . as they are convenient.
Main exit operated by the wing fold animation. Again you will have to set up a key in the key assignments for this.
Bomb release operated by the tail hook animation. Again you will have to set up a key in the key assignments for this. With bomb doors open all 4 bombs will be seen to drop in sequence. Head out on a mission fully loaded and return empty. Note repeating the animation will put the bombs back on board the A/C.
Ejection sequence Operated by the normal main exit keys, Shift + E. If activated on the ground the canopy and nav hatch will blow off but the crew will not eject. In the air all leave the A/C. Repeating the key strokes will bring them all back aboard. Sorry about that.
Rest state for this model is engines stopped, main door and bomb doors open, (bomb doors were opened to take pressure off the hydraulic seals and also to allow ground crew to read the G meters which were located in the bomb bay.) In this state you should see engine blanks in place and chocks under main wheels. Crew will have departed the A/C. Point to note - engines take a long time to spool down so be prepared to wait about 30 seconds after chocks appear before engine blanks go in. (remember main door has to be open.)
I have also not included a full sound file as many of these are available on the net. Sound is defaulted to the default Lear Jet.
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Bill Holker's original Read Me text:
This is the final release version of this aircraft. Designed using FSDS 2. I realise there are errors with this model but not too obvious I
hope. I completed this project to satisfy a need I had for a functional model of the Canberra as it was configured when I worked on these A/C
in the RAAF. Searching the net for a suitable model did not reveal any that met my full expectations in either configuration or flying
qualities. I must thank the many people who assisted with this project with a special mention to Warwick Carter for the assistance with
learning the basics of FSDS and helping with the animations, Dave Friswell for all his work on the Air file which I believe is darn good,
Charles Kranenburg for the original documentation for the Canberra and also for his beta testing and arranging for an Ex RAAF Canberra pilot
to test fly this model. Also a heap of others who assisted along the way. Thanks all.
This release has a fully active, animated pilots virtual cockpit on the Armed, Clean and Fuel models, there is also a fully active, animated
navigators virtual cockpit on the NavEx model. This enables you to simulate a flight training exercise as the navigator from the back seat.
Take offs and landings can be done from the 2D pilots cockpit.
Dave Friswell has fine tuned the air files for all 3 versions of this A/C so they all fly a little differently depending on configuration.
