Was that the Canberra Swansong?

[Almost_done]

As the title says at lunch today the Canberra gave a flypast at the secret helicopter base in South Oxfordshire, was this the last time to see it?

[Tombstone]

There are three seperate routes being flown today by the guys as a farewell to the RAF. Such a shame to lose the capability however, I do think the airframe has had it's day.

[Almost_done]

Well it was nice to see it, however, I must agree with you that it's sad to see it go and with no replacement for the capability, other than relying on our friends over the pond.

On an aside, no mention was made at the unit regarding the flyover, poor show on the Ops part.

[Tombstone]

The planned routes were:

Southern Route
Callsign: Avon 1
Take-off: 0842Z

Airfield Arrival Time Zulu
1. RAF Shawbury, Visual Circuit 0909
2. RAF Valley, Visual Circuit. 0930
3. RAF St Mawgan, Visual Circuit 1002
4. Bournemouth Hurn, Visual Circuit 1034
5. RAF Odiham, Visual Circuit 1051
6. RAF Benson, Visual Circuit. 1103
7. RAF Brize Norton, Visual Circuit 1113
8. RAF Lyneham, Visual Circuit. 1123

Central Route
Callsign: Avon 2
Take-off: 1003Z

Airfield Arrival Time Zulu
1. Cambridge, Visual Circuit 1012
2. Bassingbourn, Fly Through. 1019
3. RAF Wyton, Visual Circuit 1024
4. RAF Wittering, Visual Circuit 1038
5. RAF Cottesmore, Visual Circuit 1049
6. RAF Coningsby, Visual Circuit. 1107
7. RAF Cranwell, Visual Circuit 1115
8. RAF Waddington, Visual Circuit. 1123
9. RAF Scampton, Visual Circuit 1133

Northern Route
Callsign: Avon 3
Take-off: 0843Z

Airfield Arrival Time Zulu
1. Warton, Visual Circuit 0915
2. Belfast City, Fly Through. 0941
3. RAF Kinloss, Visual Circuit 1013
4. RAF Lossiemouth, Visual Circuit 1020
5. RAF Leuchars, Visual Circuit 1043
6. RAF Leeming, Fly Through. 1116
7. RAF Topcliffe, Fly Through 1118
8. RAF Linton on Ouse, Fly Through. 1120
9. RAF Church Fenton, Fly Through. 1124
10. Normandy Barracks (Leconfield), Fly Through. 1131

[JAG3]

Just watched in the NI news that a Canberra flew past Shorts Belfast on a farewell flight due to its retirement because that is where it was built and also where I spent a boring week in the back of a learjet for my work experience.

[movadinkampa747]

Originally Posted by JAG3

Just watched in the NI news that a Canberra flew past Shorts Belfast on a farewell flight due to its retirement because that is where it was built and also where I spent a boring week in the back of a learjet for my work experience.

That was nice for you dear...........

[teeteringhead]

Wot no Aldergrove?? Canberras were fettled there for many years when 23 MU was there.

And no St Athan either .......

[oldbeefer]

Brilliant to see it beat up Strawberry. I belive there are lots still flying in the States?

[Beeayeate]

Originally Posted by oldbeefer

Brilliant to see it beat up Strawberry. I belive there are lots still flying in the States?

No, not really.

Two with NASA (just recognisable as Canberra derivatives); two earning revenue with a US company (Air Platforms Inc - both ex-UK 'frames ); one with a pivate owner that is up for sale - if not sold already - it's a FRADU TT.18. And that's it. There are a couple of others, non-flyers, that are ex-UK and dozens of Martin B-57 and RB-57 types scattered around in Museums.

Oh, there are at least four other Martin WB-57Fs (long-wings, like the NASA 'frames) at Davis Monthan. You can see them using Google Earth.

[reddeathdrinker]

Kinloss, 11:13 local, on the dot. Punctual, those Canberra pilots....

[Inbound On Descent]

There's a great example flying at the Temora Aviation Museum in NSW, OZ.

www.aviationmuseum.com

[Flarkey]

Canberra flypast in Belfast.

[A2QFI]

Australian Based Canberra

IOD, many thanks for that splendid photograph of a beatifully preserved and presented Canberra. I flew Mks 2,3,4,7, and 9; no surprise that I enoyed the 9 the most!

[teeteringhead]

Flarkey

Top picture!! At least he didn't try and go through the Harland & Wolff cranes. Allegedly there's enough room for a smallish helicopter........

[chevvron]

Amazing that Farnborough was missed out, considering much of the modern cameras/sensors were developed there.

[batfink2]

Originally Posted by chevvron

Amazing that Farnborough was missed out, considering much of the modern cameras/sensors were developed there.

[cough] airshow there this week - bad form to show off past glories in aviation whilst trying flog modern kit with half the shelf life, usability & grace [/cough]

[chevvron]

Don't see why; it's not so long ago the last Shack AEW2 (c/s Gambia 08) was displayed with a Sentry!

[Comp Charlie]

Had a Canberra flypast at my passing out parade at Swinderby many moons ago.

Was a bit disappointing as we'd been told up until the day it was the Dead Sparrows doing it.

Oh well, never mind. I've always been bored rigid by aeroplanes anyway. I just happen to work on them.

CC

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Also a pity they missed out Woodford. AVRO built 75 of the Type, commencing in 1951.

[matkat]

Saw it at Leuchars kind of guessed that it was a farewell nice touch I thought.