Canberra hours

[oldbilbo]

Originally Posted by Jackonicko

How many variants?

What - in proper UK service?

I make it 23 with their own 'variant designation', though there were others - like the Elint B2s used by 192 Squadron, the recce-modded B2s used on Op Robin, etc. the B2 and B6 samplers, etc.

B2 - original bomber
B2T - one off with Decca, last with 100 Squadron?
B2E - ex-Boscombe, once fitted out for single seat operation (WK162, or 164?)
PR3 - original recce, usually two crew but three ejection seats???
T4 - trainer
B6 - bomber with integral wing tanks triple breech starters, bigger Avons, etc.
B6(BS) - as above with Blue Shadow, mainly for 109/139 Sqns, designation also used by B6 Mod
B6 Mod - four modified B6/B6(BS) for 51 Squadron for Elint role. Additional tail warning receivers, Elint antennas in nose, which initially followed 'normal' contours, before addition of T11 type nose, and finally extended rounded nose radome. Blue Shadow fitted. Three crew.
B(I)6 - as B6 with provision for gun pack in rear part of bomb bay, underwing hardpoints, LABS gear as standard. Three crew???
PR7 - recce version with integral wing tanks triple breech starters, bigger Avons, etc. Usually two crew but three ejection seats???
B(I)8 - interdictor/strike derivative of B6 with offset 'fighter type canopy' (non-opening) nav on rumble seat for take off, or sideways facing at forward plotting table or prone in the nose. Provision for gun pack (4 x 20mm Hispano) in rear part of bomb bay, underwing hardpoints, LABS gear as standard.
PR9 - recce version with opening offset 'fighter type canopy' for access, nav on ejection seat in front of pilot in sideways hinged nose, with frangible panel above. Powered ailerons.
U10 - drone conversion of B2
T11 - crew trainer for Javelin crews converted from B2, with AI radar in extended conical nose, long pitot boom on port wingtip. Did it have dual controls and an ejection seat for both pilots???
D14 - drone conversion of B2 with PR9 type powered controls
B15 - Converted B6 for the Akrotiri Strike Wing and 45 Squadron, Decca Doppler, underwing hardpoints for unguided rockets, and later Nord AS30 ASMs.
E15 - calibration conversion of B15
B16 - Converted B6 for the Akrotiri Strike Wing with Blue Shadow SLAR. (Did this supplant one of the rear crew ejection seats? Was this a two-crew aircraft?)
T17 - EW training conversion of B2, extended bulbous nose and numerous antenna fairings, scoops, etc. Long pitot boom on port wingtip.
T17A - Further conversion of T17, with new kit (externally identifiable by new underwing blade antennas
TT18 - Target towing conversion of B2 with underwing Rushton winches, extra window in starboard fuselage to allow nav to see starboard winch.
T19 - Silent target conversion of T11 with radar replaced by 'Blue Circle'.
T22 - Conversion of PR.Mk 7 with Buccaneer radar in extended nose. Intended as Buccaneer radar trainer for observers, but used as silent target.

I can't add to the above list of types 'in RAF service' but I can add the SAAF's Can B(I)12s - the export version of the B(I)8, some of which went to New Zealand. I had 3 years in those to add to my modest time in TT18s out of St Mawgan where I flew on occasion with S/Ldr Bruce Bull where he was QFI - and learned a darn sight more airmanship from him than I imagine he was aware of. That saved my bacon on a full fistful of occasions, which I'd gladly relate over a bottle of Islay malt, a jug of cold water, and two glasses.

The B(I)12 was used by the Hairybacks, during my time there, in the high-level PR role and also Low Level Strike. The guns were removed from the conformal gunpack and replaced with a multiple cameras fit. Although the medium-level bombing role was practised annually, after the aborted 'Thunder Run' towards Luanda in 1975 no-one considered it seriously. Instead, the Cans were used 'a la RAFG' in very low-level* penetration and FRA Laydown Strike using 'Alpha' bomblets, intended as defence suppression - and on several occasions followed in by SAAF Buccaneers S.50s with conventional dumb iron bombs in conventional pitch up/shallow dive-bombing profiles.

Two of those Cans were earmarked for service as South Africa's 'viable means of delivery' of their burgeoning deterrent, as the engineering 'state of the art' was - certainly initially - not capable of being fitted into the Bucc's bomb-bay.

*There were hundreds of miles of scrub/bush consisting of flat-top mopane thorn trees. We practised flying ON the treetops, when the Drivers/Airframe could just feel the 'whispers' of the twigs on the underbelly, scraping some paint off - causing some strange looks among the groundcrew on shutdown. I understand veterans of RAFG will have had similar tales to tell.....