English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra line up at RAF Marham. Photo by Chris Cannon
The English Electric Canberra prototype was first flown by Wing Commander Roland Beamont on the 13th may 1949. The first squadron to re-equip with the Canberra was 101 squadron at Binbrook in Lincolnshire.
The Canberra was such a versatile Aircraft that over 15 different Mk's were either built or converted, with variations being used all over the World with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) being the main operators. Other countries also used the Canberra including Argentina, Australia, India and Pakistan and germany to name few. The Canberra served with the RAF until July 2006 when the last three PR9 aircraft left RAF Marham for their new home at Kemble in Gloucestershire.
The Canberra, designed by Teddy Petter in the late 1940's and still being used around the World albeit in very small numbers, and still going strong over 60 years after it's first flight.
As of July 2009 to our knowledge there are only three flying examples of the Canberra in the world, two WB57 aircraft with NASA and TT18 WJ680 now painted to represent an Australian B20 Canberra at Temora in Australia.
Two Canberras are kept at Coventry Airport under the care of classic flight, the blue T4 WJ874 and B2/6 WK163. Also WT333 an ex-Bedford trials Aircraft is kept in a taxable condition at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire.
Finally what became of the three PR9s, XH131 is reputedly going on static display at a museum in Ireland, XH134 the operators are hoping to fly on the Air show circuit and XH135 is being brought back to taxable condition.
Return to flight of WJ680 DVD
Canberra TT18 WJ680 was rescued from the scrap man by aviation enthusiast Ron Mitchell. After engines were fitted and air tests were completed, WJ680 was flown to Duxford Airfield where John Gannon carried out extensive maintenance to bring the aircraft back into pristine condition. The aircraft flew on the air show circuit for several years in the capable hands of Robb Metcalfe and Dave Piper. After some time in storage WJ680 made an almost record breaking flight to the Temora Aircraft museum in Australia. On arrival it was repainted as an Australian Canberra and has the distinction of being one of only a handful of Canberra's flying throught the world. Duration 50 minutes.
Wyton's last Canberra's DVD
Unique footage filmed in 1994. Follow 360 Squadrons Canberras through to retirement and includes a short history of RAF Wyton. Duration 54 minutes.
On Target Aviation Group - Canberra WT333
PR9 practice displays at RAF Marham
As the impending retirement of 39 Squadron's last three PR9 Aircraft loomed even closer on 28th July 2006, Squadron Leader Terry Cairns and his navigator Squadron Leader Roger Newton started their work up display practices for Waddington and Fairford Air shows and Marham's families day later in the summer.
Over a few weeks period Terry and Roger could be seen putting XH134 through it's paces. The clean lines of this Aircraft gracing the skies overhead Marham, with the PR9's final fly past and blue note reverberating around the Airfield at the end of each display.
The culmination of these practices were the four displays over the weekends of Waddington and Fairford's air displays with the last ever RAF Canberra display being carried out at RAF Marham's families day on 27th July 2006.
Images courtesy of Bruce Martin
After landing Terry taxied XH134 back into the dispersal and shut the Aircraft down, which for him was going to be the last time as this was his last flight in a Canberra before his retirement. After over 30 years of flying Canberra's and over 7,000 hours on type he was met with applause from fellow members of the Squadron and family and friends and a well deserved glass of champagne.
39 Squadron returns from it's last detachment - Friday 23rd June 2006
Two PR9 Canberra Aircraft XH131 and XH135 from 39 Squadron arrived back at RAF Marham in Norfolk from the Squadron's last detachment at Seeb in Oman. The Canberra's were escorted back to the station by two GR4 Tornados from Marham. The five months detachment was supported by ground and Aircrews rotating every few weeks.
On their arrival the two Aircraft were met on the dispersal by Air-Vice Marshal Chris Harper Chief of Staff Operations, Group Captain Greg Bagwell RAF Marham Station Commander and Wing Commander Clive Mitchell Officer Commanding 39 Squadron, colleagues from 39 Squadron and family members, TV crews and local media. The Aircraft were flown by Flt Lt Mike Leckey, Flt Lt Colin Fryer and Flt Lt Ronnie Fairbrother and Sqn Ldr Gary Winwright.
Images courtesy of Bruce Martin
The following images were taken from video footage
The RAF's last Canberra T4 training Aircraft WJ874/VN799 - last operational flight 1st September 2005
On 1st September 2005 the blue Canberra WJ874 from 39 Squadron at RAF Marham made it's last operational flight (A round robin), starting from RAF Marham over flying Airfields and RAF stations throughout the Country which have had Canberra connections over the last 54 years.
The crew of the Canberra for this unique flight, Squadron Leader Terry Cairns (pilot), Wing Commander Clive Mitchell (navigator) and their passenger Air Officer Commanding Number 3 group Air Vice Marshall Andy White. With good weather conditions the press and TV cameras were out in force to witness the Aircraft take-off and then return some time later after it's trip around the Country.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Canberra 50th anniversary - 1999
On the 13th May 1949 Wing Commander Roland 'Bea' Beaumont carried out the first flight in the prototype Canberra at Warton in Lancashire.
To celebrate this anniversary 39 Squadron at RAF Marham have had Canberra T4 WJ874 painted in a new gloss blue paint scheme, similar to the original Aircraft. During the week leading up to the anniversary Squadron Leader Terry Cairns (pilot) and Squadron Leader Brian Cole (navigator) did several practice displays in WJ874 in readiness for a busy display season at Air shows throughout the Country.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Notice!
The gallery of images below have been copied from old negatives so please excuse the quality of them.
English Electric Canberra WK163 B2-6 repaint
WK163 on retirement from the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Bedford was delivered to Bruntingthorpe Airfield in Leicestershire, having been purchased by Peter and Francis Gill, along with XH568 and WT333, to be operated under the Classic Aviation banner.
Andy Rake, the pilot for this trip ferried 163 over to RAF Wyton, which was Classic Aviation's maintenance base at the time, where she was duly parked in number 2 hangar. Classic Aviation's dedicated team set about the necessary engineering work on the Aircraft, including fitting a new perspex nose assembly. Stuart Ross proceeded to rub down, mask up and respray the Aircraft, almost single-handedly (a major project). Michael Murrey, a local sign writer proceeded to paint the Scorpions on both side of the Aircrafts nose, which completed the paint scheme which the Aircraft was finished in 40 years previously. The Aircraft was duly towed from the hangar and Dave Piper, the pilot and Dusty Miller, the navigator flew the Aircraft for an air test, ready for the first air display of the season at the Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
100 Squadron Canberras
100 Squadron arrived at RAF Wyton in January 1982. They brought their Canberra B2s and E-15s from RAF Marham in Norfolk. Also arriving to join the Squadron were TT18s from St. Mawgan in Cornwall, and several PR7s from 13 Squadron who had just disbanded at Wyton. With over twenty Aircraft on strength this made 100 Squadron one of the RAF's biggest Squadrons and brought together all the RAF Canberras back at RAF Wyton.
100 Squadron carried on operating the Canberra up until September 1991 when most of their Aircraft were retired and replaced by the BAE Hawk.
Images courtesy of The Cannon Collection