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Old 18th Jan 2004, 22:20
  #9 (permalink)  
Jackonicko
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Just behind the back of beyond....
Posts: 4,185
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"BTW is canberra air to air refuelable?"

Well, no, not strictly speaking. But it is my understanding that plans to fit PR9s with a probe for Corporate (to allow them to operate from Ascension and, if memory serves, South Africa) reached a VERY advanced stage, with full engineering drawings etc. and a robust conversion programme planned. In the event an 'alternative' solution was found for that op.

I believe that the drawings were dusted off more recently, not in order to extend PR9 range, but to allow two equivalent sorties (in terms of film footage/tape/targets) to be flown on one pressurisation cycle.

Pressurisation cycles are, I believe, a limiting factor in how long the PR9s can last. What a shame more aircraft were not kept in store when 39 down-sized to Flight strength (as 1 PRU) after Corporate....... Instead three went to Chile (back to Chile?) and several were scrapped.
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