ENGLISH ELECTRIC CANBERRA T4 …
The Canberra was the first jet bomber to serve in the RAF and presented a quantum jump in speed, altitude and range. It first appeared at the Farnborough display in 1949 following two years of development. It could out-manoeuvre the fighters of that time and greatly exceed their ceiling; Canberra aircraft set many altitude and distance records in the 1950s. It became one of the greatest success stories of Britain’s post-war military aircraft industry, with major export sales. It was built under licence in Australia, and by Martin in America as the b-57.
Canberra aircraft saw action in many parts of the world and in many air forces. The B2 Tactical Bomber version entered RAF service in May 1951 and to speed production it was built by A V Roe, Handley Page, and Short Brothers & Harland. This variant, the T4 Dual Control Trainer, entered service in 1954 and a total of 92 were built. It was followed by several marks designed for different roles, particularly high-level photo-reconnaissance. The Canberra retired from RAF service in 2006.
WH840
This aircraft was built in 1954 and served at Bassingbourn with 231 OCU. Following modification, it went to 245 Squadron at Tangmere in July 1962 and then to 151 Squadron at Watton in January 1963. After trials work with Boulton Paul at Seighford from November 1964, and A&AEE at Boscombe Down from September 1965, it went to 3 Squadron at RAF Geilenkirchen, in Germany in August 1966. From March 1967 it became part of RAF Laarbruch and RAF Bruggen station flights until April 1970. It was retired in 1972 and became a gate guardian at RAF Locking in April 1974 until sold in 1990 to an aviation group at Seighford for a planned museum. This did not materialise and the aircraft was left dismantled and abandoned until brought to the museum at Flixton in February 1994.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Year Built: 1954
- Manufacturer: English Electric Co Ltd
- Purpose: Dual control trainer
- Crew: 3
- Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Avon 1/RA3
- Armament: None
- Maximum Speed: 570 mph (917kph)
- Service Ceiling: Over 40,000ft (over 12,192m)
- Range: 3,110 miles (5,005 km)
- Wing Span: 64ft (19.5m)
- Length: 65ft 6in (20m)
- Height: 15ft 7in (4.7m)
- Gross Weight: 55,000lb (24,950kg)