Luftwaffe Canberras
Thread Starter
Luftwaffe Canberras
I was tootling past Lossie last week and my mind drifted back to my formative years there. I spent the late '70's tinkering on the Jags of 226 OCU, polishing Prince Andy's Bulldog, (I don't think that's legal anymore), and watching various aircraft pass through the hands of the chaps on VASS: Nord Noratlas; A3 Skywarrior; and orange Canberras.
These German Canberras were regular visitors but I never found out what role they were employed in. Does any fellow Ppruner know what these aircraft were up to and indeed, do thay still operate?
Thanks in advance
These German Canberras were regular visitors but I never found out what role they were employed in. Does any fellow Ppruner know what these aircraft were up to and indeed, do thay still operate?
Thanks in advance
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Luftwaffe Canberras
ABB
If memory serves... there were three such Canberra operated by the Luftwaffe until at least the mid 1980's by a geo-survey mapping unit.
(Militarische Geographisches).
The aircraft were B.2 /B.6 conversions which were delivered following R.A.F.retirement and painted in a dayglo scheme.
Hope this helps...
If memory serves... there were three such Canberra operated by the Luftwaffe until at least the mid 1980's by a geo-survey mapping unit.
(Militarische Geographisches).
The aircraft were B.2 /B.6 conversions which were delivered following R.A.F.retirement and painted in a dayglo scheme.
Hope this helps...
That makes sense, there is a bright orange Canberra on a pole at the Sinsheim Museum Southern Germany in Luftwaffe markings ( 99 +36 ). It has tip tanks and looks like a B2 to me.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wiltshire
Age: 82
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Testers & Orange Canberra
Disclaimer - this is a first try - please be a'patient!
As you may have guessed the first two are testers !!
Last edited by Entaxei; 26th Apr 2010 at 13:46.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: london
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E-Stelle 61, Manching, Bavaria (1987: WTD61) is Germany's "Boscombe Down". Marshall's of Cambridge converted ex-RAF Canberra B.2s for them in 1966:
- WK130 as YA+152, delivered 10/66; later, 00+01, D9569 DFVLR, Oberpfaffenhofen, FRG's "Farnborough", 1972 for high-altitude research, atmospheric research, antennae and remote sensing; then with the Mil.Geographisches Amt. Wahn, then back to E-61 as 99+36; from 1984 displayed at Sinsheim Museum;
- WK137 as YA+152, 00+02, D9566; 1976: E-61 as 99+34, active to 1993, current at Schwenningen Museum;
- WK138 as YA+153,00+03, D9567; 1976: E-61 as 99+35, active to 1991, current at Gatow Museum.
(shocking WT error corrected 3/5 at prompting of BB,#15 with apologies)
- WK130 as YA+152, delivered 10/66; later, 00+01, D9569 DFVLR, Oberpfaffenhofen, FRG's "Farnborough", 1972 for high-altitude research, atmospheric research, antennae and remote sensing; then with the Mil.Geographisches Amt. Wahn, then back to E-61 as 99+36; from 1984 displayed at Sinsheim Museum;
- WK137 as YA+152, 00+02, D9566; 1976: E-61 as 99+34, active to 1993, current at Schwenningen Museum;
- WK138 as YA+153,00+03, D9567; 1976: E-61 as 99+35, active to 1991, current at Gatow Museum.
(shocking WT error corrected 3/5 at prompting of BB,#15 with apologies)
Last edited by tornadoken; 3rd May 2010 at 12:25.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first job as a civilian after leaving Her Majesty's employ was flying dayglow painted Canberras for Rheinflugzeugbau, based at Cologne airport, which had been RAF Wahn in earlier days. While on my CPL course someone came round looking for ex Canberra pilots, and it sounded more interesting than the air taxi or instrucional flying then in the offing.
We then had two British pilots, the navigators all being Luftwaffe, as was the boss. Later first one, then myself, were replaced by German civilian pilots. But not before I had managed another few hundred happy hours of Canberra flying, on photo survey within Germany, radar calibration for the military radars, and several trips to such places as Yeovilton, St Mawgan, Deccimammanu (if I remember correctly), Naples, and a Greek military airfield, never, though, do I remember going to Lossie.
Great fun, and we all got on very well. Then when I had to make way for a German pilot, I had to upgrade to ATPL, and get a proper job on the Falcon 20 and HS 125 flying out of LHR, and occasionally managing to get back to Cologne and visit my old friends. Those were the days.
We then had two British pilots, the navigators all being Luftwaffe, as was the boss. Later first one, then myself, were replaced by German civilian pilots. But not before I had managed another few hundred happy hours of Canberra flying, on photo survey within Germany, radar calibration for the military radars, and several trips to such places as Yeovilton, St Mawgan, Deccimammanu (if I remember correctly), Naples, and a Greek military airfield, never, though, do I remember going to Lossie.
Great fun, and we all got on very well. Then when I had to make way for a German pilot, I had to upgrade to ATPL, and get a proper job on the Falcon 20 and HS 125 flying out of LHR, and occasionally managing to get back to Cologne and visit my old friends. Those were the days.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Near the A1
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There was an incident over Aberdeen in 1980 involving a F27 and a Luftwaffe Canberra. I happened to be looking out of the window at the time, and I clearly remember the orange-painted Canberra passing at low level in a steep bank. As far as I remember, questions were asked in Parliament about this one. Anyone know where to find a copy of the air-miss report ?
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire
Age: 74
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the subject of colour these Canberras wore, they were initially silver overall, but repainted orange (not dayglo, just plain orange) overall in the mid '70s. Towards the end of their careers, spares were getting short and the RAF donated a set of wings from a former Canberra TT.18 once operated by 100 Squadron. If their role wasn't confusing enough, this German Canberra continued to fly with its new set of wings, still with the target-tug yellow/black stripes painted beneath them, but the aircraft had nothing to do with target-towing! 
Thanks Tim, that was an interesting post. English aeroplane with an English pilot, German nav and a Luftwaffe colour scheme flying to the UK! One of my prime destinations with my employer is Frankfurt where I fly them home from their Asian holidays. My dear old Dad used to bomb them and I am married to one. What a funny funny world.
German MoD/Luftwaffe link with pictures:
This link gets changed to their opening page all the time. So please copy and paste the adress between the arrows from below.
<<http://www.geschichte.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/geschlw/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLNwyL9_AIAMmB2e5eTvqRcNGglFR9 X4_83FR9b_0A_YLciHJHR0VFALXgZws!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzFWX0hIUQ!!>>
or you just search for "Sonderflugzeuge" and "Canberra" at "Waffen und Technik".
This link gets changed to their opening page all the time. So please copy and paste the adress between the arrows from below.
<<http://www.geschichte.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/geschlw/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLNwyL9_AIAMmB2e5eTvqRcNGglFR9 X4_83FR9b_0A_YLciHJHR0VFALXgZws!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzFWX0hIUQ!!>>
or you just search for "Sonderflugzeuge" and "Canberra" at "Waffen und Technik".
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes 'By George', as you say, funny old world. My father was boss of a Wimpey squadron at the beginning of the war, so he did the odd sortie to Heligoland and the like.
And Amos, I used dayglow loosely, the orange seemed to match the colour of the bands around the booms of our Vampire T11s, and the nose if I remember right, which we called Dayglow Orange, but maybe that was more reflective when first applied. The Canberras were orange when I first flew them in mid 1973.
Goudie, hello again, I think the orange colour was to show up better than silver, for instance, particularly in low visibility, like the dayglow orange on training command aircraft at the time. Had to behave yourself though, could be recognised anywhere!
And Amos, I used dayglow loosely, the orange seemed to match the colour of the bands around the booms of our Vampire T11s, and the nose if I remember right, which we called Dayglow Orange, but maybe that was more reflective when first applied. The Canberras were orange when I first flew them in mid 1973.
Goudie, hello again, I think the orange colour was to show up better than silver, for instance, particularly in low visibility, like the dayglow orange on training command aircraft at the time. Had to behave yourself though, could be recognised anywhere!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
Age: 87
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Thanks for that Tim. Guessed it was for good recognition purposes, was rather surprised that it was an all over job rather than distinctive bands on wings and fuselage.
Trust you're keeping well.
Trust you're keeping well.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toulouse area, France
Age: 93
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sleek !!!
That shot of a Luyftwaffe Orange B2 shows just how smoooooooth the Canberra was - the last RAF aircraft I flew, and leaving great memories (of crews and freinds too ... ) Specs misted up, signing off
Jig Peter
Jig Peter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree, Jig Peter, they don't make them like that any more! It was the last military aircraft I flew, and as I have said, I was very glad to have the chance to have another go eight years after my real Canberra tour in Cyprus.
I notice we are of similar vintage, a good one, so may have crossed paths at some time.
My other favourite was the Hunter, though I only managed a few hours on that, owing to Duncan Sandys and his axe.
I notice we are of similar vintage, a good one, so may have crossed paths at some time.
My other favourite was the Hunter, though I only managed a few hours on that, owing to Duncan Sandys and his axe.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: GB
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to add to post 9, GAF Canberra B2 99+35 made its last flight on 27 May 1993 from its home base at Manching and landed at RAF Gatow. According to the then Dep Stn Cdr, it was the first touch down of a non transport military aircraft at Gatow since 1949. (Air Int Aug 1993 refers).