As a Modeler I am often looking for some inspiration to decide on my next build. Searching the web for aircraft photos, I came accross a photo of a F-102 Delta Dagger and a CF-100 Canuck flying in formation.

The CF-100 was the first all Canadian designed and built jet fighter that served in the RCAF and was also exported to Belgium. It was a very capable aircraft that had excellent handling capabilities, was a stable gun platform and was blessed with excellent range.

Digging through my stash I came accross the 'ancient' Hobbycraft 1/48 Canuck. The less I say about the kit the better! It lacks greatly in detail, has trenches for panel lines and needs tons of scratchbuilding to get it close to something worthwhile to display. Some aftermarket resin cockpit and landing gear sets and decals are available. Needless to say these are expensive. I have decided to buy aftermarket decals and embark on a scratchbuilding journey from here to eternity.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

The tailcone of the Canuck ends in two tail mounted navigation lights. These lights are red and amber in colour. After gluing the tail sections, I removed the solid tailcone where the lights are located. The plan was to make the clear dome from solid clear sprue and to drill out the two lights. This was more difficult than anticipated. After a three hour long search through the stash I managed to unearth a clump of clear sprue large enough. I sanded it to shape, drilled out the lights, added a drop of Tamiya clear red and yellow to the lights and glued it in place.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

This is an astonishing work so far, Morne @mornem, on the ultra basic/simplistic Hobbycraft rendition of that beautiful and important plane.

I love your airbrake and pitot improvements. It, by definition, will be an excellent result, up to your usual standards.

I have built the same kit, some 15+ years ago; I basically put it together, used the off register kit decals, well, the end result looking toyish. I am trying to find an opportunity to revisit it. No intention to lower the airbrake, but some all-around micro detailing/improvements and new decals are in my mind. Your wonderful effort will for sure, be my inspiration!

Looking forward to it!

Looking forward to this build, Morne.
Current progress looks promissing.
The Canuck is a great looking plane build by Avro Canada.
Pretty sure that your scratchbuild journey eventually leads to a great looking Canuck.

Thanks John for the kind assessment of my progress with this challenging kit. My main concern is the landing gear that needs lots of detailing. The kit parts are best assigned to the dustbin. I am going to do my best to make it look appealing.

Great subject, Morne. We never see these built. I’ll be following along closely.

Wow Morne, your CF-100 looks amazing already!
I happen to have a couple of shots from the Hamilton Museum, if they help here they are.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Hi George. Thank you very much for the photos. I will definitely make use of them!