Oct 1954

[antarmike]

An RAF Canberra becomes the first Jet aircraft to overfly the North Pole.

 

The Canberra has only just gone out of service having had one of the longest service life of a military aircraft. (May 1951 - July 2006)

 

It proved to be an ideal plane for Photo- reconnaisance. The RAF hasn't got a replacement that comes close to its abilities.

 

The Canberra that overflew the pole came from the RAF Flying College, at Manby.

 

Manby has long been closed as an operational airfield, but a lot of building remain.

 

The site has recently been rejected as a site for a new "Green" Town.

 

The B2 Bomber version first flew May13th 1949, The Photo Reconnaisance version following in March 19th 1950.

 

 

A ceremony to mark the closure of No. 39 (PRU) Sqn flying the last Canberras took place at RAF Marham on Friday 28 July 2006. The ceremony included a flypast by a Canberra PR9 on its last ever sortie. RAF Canberras made their final flights on 31 July when three were delivered to their new home with Delta Jets at Kemble. They may have further life on civilian contract work, but they remain airworthy.

Edited October 5, 2008 by antarmike

[antarmike]

October 1978 sees the last Malta based Canberra, when 13 squadron leaves the island.

Edited October 5, 2008 by antarmike

[antarmike]

The Canberra made an earlier record flight on first February 21 1951. The Canberra became the first jet aircraft to make a non stop trans-atlantic flight. An RAF Canberra B Mk 2 (serial number WD932) flown by Squadron Leader A Callard flew from Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, to Gander, Newfoundland. The flight covered almost 1,800 miles in 4h 37 m. The aircraft was being flown to the U.S. to act as a pattern aircraft for the Martin B-57. (A licence built variany of the Canberra)