Canberra PR9?

[GLIDER 90]

Hello All

Have often wondered about the Canberra PR9, with the nose opening out for the navigator to get in & out, did the nose ever come detached during flight as it didn't look very secure when open. Was there a height restriction for this position as there didn't look to be much room inside.

Cheers
Glider 90

[Bill Macgillivray]

With nose "Open" it was not very secure (relatively) but when "Closed & locked" there was no problem that I was aware of (but I sat slightly higher and under a canopy!). As for height restriction I was not aware of any, navigators came in all shapes and sizes (As did pilots in those halcyon days!!)

58 forever!!!

Bill

[scarecrow450]

At Marham def no size requirement ! Looked a tight squeeze for some but bloody Closter phobic !!

[RedhillPhil]

I once read that the PR9 was the fastest non afterburning jet that the R.A.F. operated. Is that/was that correct?

[ian16th]

I once read that the PR9 was the fastest non afterburning jet that the R.A.F. operated. Is that/was that correct?
Dunno about fastest, but probably the highest flying.

They could definitly exceed the operational limits of the Green Satin doppler navigator.

When I had the GS bench at Akrotiri, 13 Sqdn were snagging kit as 'Unlocking at height', and it all tested out fine on the bench.
When I visited the Sqdn and spoke with a Nav or two, the snags stopped.

[DHfan]

I once read that the PR9 was the fastest non afterburning jet that the R.A.F. operated. Is that/was that correct?

Depends if you insist on level flight amongst other things. A Victor went briefly supersonic over Paris. The Canberra was a brilliant aircraft but it was the wrong shape for that. At least, I can't imagine it would be possible it could go supersonic.

[RedhillPhil]

I didn't mention supersonic. I suppose I should have mentioned, "...fastest subsonic jet". I'm aware that on at least two occasions that I know of one of Fred's finest went supersonic.

[GLIDER 90]

Morning All

Thanks for the replys, much appreciated.

Cheers
Glider 90