PR Canberra
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PR Canberra
A Photo Recce Canberra was the first, and obvious, variant of this English Electric aircraft. The PR.3, the first variant, was used, with future variants, to good effect during the Cold War and onwards up to recent conflicts. It was soon succeeded by the PR.7 of course and then the PR.9, which is still in use. So, the Canberra PR.3 was relatively short-lived, but one example won the London-New Zealand Air Race in October 1953. You can see that example, WE139, at the RAF Museum, Hendon. It is a complete airframe that sits under dim lightning and is not really accessible to interested visitor, but there it is - a single Canberra PR.3.
But it's not the only one.
One other PR.3, also a complete airframe, resides at the Midland Air Museum, Coventry Airport, and this one is totally accessible to the visitor (within safety limits of course). Canberra PR.3, WF922 is now one of the only two remaining airframes of this historic type left in the UK, if not the world. At MAM, WF922 now "lights up" and has "eyes". After nearly two years work by an ex-Chief Tech Electrician (58Sqn), the only other PR.3 has a working cockpit, radio, hydraulic systems nav and external lights, even cameras (its "eyes"). In fact, with aircrew "bits" (Mae Wests, Bone Domes, Maps, etc) placed at the pilot's and nav's stations it looks like it is just waiting for the crew to return after signing the F700 in readiness for flight. WF922 will never do that of course, it will not even taxi, but it now certainly looks as if it could with the bonus that the visitor can get into it, savour the unique Canberra cockpit aroma and re-live memories.
Over the two-year rehabilitation process for this 'frame a series of illustrated Reports have been produced by Malcolm Lambert (the Chiefy i/c) with the final one (Dec 05) just recently supplied to the Canberra Tribute Web Site. The latest can be read here.
With the Canberra being pretty ubiquitous in RAF service, and the PR's more than most, there must be many of the PPruNers on this History & Nostalgia forum with this type in their log books - maybe even 922 itself. Not forgetting of course those thousands of blokes whose efforts on the ground kept squadrons of Canberras flying day after day in all parts of the world.
This is not an advert for MAM, I am not connected to the museum, just an avid visitor to WF922. It is however, an indication that a "working" static exhibit Canberra is available for your inspection, or personal nostalgia trip.
Malcolm himself is usually there on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and would, I'm sure, be pleased to "light up" 922 for interested visitors.
A couple pf pics to whet your appetite.
But it's not the only one.
One other PR.3, also a complete airframe, resides at the Midland Air Museum, Coventry Airport, and this one is totally accessible to the visitor (within safety limits of course). Canberra PR.3, WF922 is now one of the only two remaining airframes of this historic type left in the UK, if not the world. At MAM, WF922 now "lights up" and has "eyes". After nearly two years work by an ex-Chief Tech Electrician (58Sqn), the only other PR.3 has a working cockpit, radio, hydraulic systems nav and external lights, even cameras (its "eyes"). In fact, with aircrew "bits" (Mae Wests, Bone Domes, Maps, etc) placed at the pilot's and nav's stations it looks like it is just waiting for the crew to return after signing the F700 in readiness for flight. WF922 will never do that of course, it will not even taxi, but it now certainly looks as if it could with the bonus that the visitor can get into it, savour the unique Canberra cockpit aroma and re-live memories.
Over the two-year rehabilitation process for this 'frame a series of illustrated Reports have been produced by Malcolm Lambert (the Chiefy i/c) with the final one (Dec 05) just recently supplied to the Canberra Tribute Web Site. The latest can be read here.
With the Canberra being pretty ubiquitous in RAF service, and the PR's more than most, there must be many of the PPruNers on this History & Nostalgia forum with this type in their log books - maybe even 922 itself. Not forgetting of course those thousands of blokes whose efforts on the ground kept squadrons of Canberras flying day after day in all parts of the world.
This is not an advert for MAM, I am not connected to the museum, just an avid visitor to WF922. It is however, an indication that a "working" static exhibit Canberra is available for your inspection, or personal nostalgia trip.
Malcolm himself is usually there on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and would, I'm sure, be pleased to "light up" 922 for interested visitors.A couple pf pics to whet your appetite.
Don't forget that PR Canberras flew some pretty heroic missions over Russia in the '50s, being pursued by Mig 15/17's. These could have been the PR3's, 'cos the Migs apparently couldn't catch em!
