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http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/CurtainComesDownAsTheCanberraMakesItsLastOperationalFlight.htm
Curtain comes down as the Canberra makes its last operational flight
23 Jun 06
An era almost unmatched in RAF history comes to an end today, Friday 23 June 2006, when two Canberra PR9 aircraft of No. 39(1 PRU) Squadron land back at their home base, Royal Air Force Marham in Norfolk, for the final time. Their return from what is the aircraft's final ever deployment marks the end of operational service for the Canberra, the first variant of which took its maiden flight in 1949.
A 39 (1 PRU) Sqn Canberra departs to carry out a mission during the aircraft's last operational detachment, once again in the Gulf Region.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
At the same time the curtain also comes down on No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron as it prepares to disband with due ceremony. The retirement of the Canberra, and the disbandment of the Squadron, signal the end of an operational career unequalled by any other aircraft in the Service – almost two thirds of the time that the RAF has been in existence.
And right to the end, the Canberra has been providing invaluable information to those pursuing peaceful objectives overseas - this time the Canberras and 39 Squadron have spent the last five months in the Middle East flying dangerous missions on an almost daily basis. Furthermore in the last few years 39 (1 PRU) Sqn and the Canberra have been deployed almost constantly on operations around the world, providing high quality imagery to a variety of ‘customers’.
Originally conceived at the end of the Second World War, the Canberra was introduced to the RAF as its first jet bomber in 1951, replacing such stalwarts as the Avro Lincoln and Washington (lend-lease Boeing B-29 Superfortress), and it went on to fulfil just about any requirement that could be devised for one aircraft type.
Canberra PR9 navigator Wing Commander Clive Mitchell, is the current, and final, RAF officer to be in charge of 39 (1 PRU) Sqn. He has a lengthy, if interrupted, association with the aircraft. Speaking during the Squadron’s final operational deployment he reflected on the aircraft and the Squadron’s many achievements:
"I joined the RAF in 1982 and, on completion of my navigator training was posted to 100 Sqn at RAF Wyton where I had my first experience of the aircraft, flying five different marks of Canberra over a three-year period," he said.
"The Canberra is a classic airframe. What can you say about it? It first flew in 1949 and here we are in 2006 and it’s still flying operationally and will be until five weeks before it retires."
Wg Cdr Clive Mitchell, Officer Commanding 39 (1 PRU) Sqn, the last RAF officer to command a Canberra unit.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
Distinguished history
The design of the Canberra began in 1944 at English Electric in Preston. It entered RAF service on 25 May 1951 as a medium bomber, although photographic reconnaissance (PR) variants appeared soon after. The prototype PR9 flew for the first time on 08 July 1955.
39 Squadron was equipped with PR Canberras from July 1958, receiving its first PR9 version in October 1962 which it flew until May 1982 when it disbanded at RAF Wyton. The Squadron reformed at Wyton in July 1992 as 39 (1 PRU) Sqn, again with Canberra PR9s, subsequently moving to its current home at RAF Marham soon after.
The Canberra bomber wings in the United Kingdom propelled Bomber Command into the jet age, and paved the way for the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor strategic V-bombers – all of which the Canberra was destined to outlive in RAF service.
Wg Cdr Mitchell has a deep appreciation of the Canberra’s illustrious history:
"The aircraft entered service in 1951 with 101 Squadron at Binbrook. It’s since served on 26 different stations, with 63 squadrons and, of course, I’ve got the last three in service, still on operations right up until they retire."
At a time when such a historic aircraft is about to retire it would be easy to let emotions take over practical considerations. But how important has the aircraft really been to the UK?
"I think the fact that we’re still operating them in the Middle East speaks for itself. If it didn’t have a use, then it wouldn’t be flying any more. In the last ten years, particularly, it’s really come into its own and has been producing great imagery for all sorts of people."
Being in the desert is thirsty work; SAC(T) Rob Wormald refuels a Canberra after it has returned to base.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
Canberra – your flexible friend
With the exception of the reconnaissance function, the main Canberra period was drawing to a close from about 1970, and many aircraft were converted to perform secondary roles, which they did for many more years. Functions included radar calibration, unmanned target drones and target towing aircraft used by both the RAF and Royal Navy, as well as electronic countermeasures and electronic warfare training, and a considerable number of airframes engaged over the years on a wide variety of trials work.
It is, however, in the photographic reconnaissance role that the Canberra has secured its place in aviation history. Taskings during the Cold War in support of NATO security were interspersed with deployments to some exotic locations, undertaking surveying and mapping of foreign countries. There were also taskings in support of the civilian community, such as supporting police investigations.
For Wg Cdr Mitchell, this flexibility – the fact that it has flown in so many different roles – speaks for itself:
"It does and the crews who fly it may be old but they are very good at the jobs they do and what they’re required to do. I know some of our coalition partners who have provided us with (photography) equipment have been surprised at the results we’ve achieved with their equipment.
"The fact we’re flexible, we can move around where the weather is good, we can change things at a moment’s notice on a sortie to produce what’s required to get the job done."
A 39 (1 PRU) Sqn Canberra PR9 is made ready for an early sortie during the last operational deployment.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
A sad day
How does Wg Cdr Mitchell feel being in charge when the aircraft and the Squadron come to an end?
"Obviously it’s a huge honour. I’m the last in a line of 307 commanding officers of Canberra squadrons, and to take it out of Service in such a high profile manner, being on operations right up until the end doing a very useful job, is just a huge privilege and responsibility."
And will he shed a tear when Squadron disbands and the aircraft leaves Service?
"Personally I think it’s going to be very sad. I have characters on the Squadron who have been flying the aircraft for many years with thousands of flying hours. I’m relatively new, having only done two tours with around 1,400 hours, but it will still be a very sad moment when it finally goes.
"I know from some of the things I’m organising there’s a huge groundswell of opinion towards the Canberra, people love it and they would love to see it on the airshow circuit.
"In many ways we do miss the halcyon days of the 1950s when the aircraft was breaking all sorts of records. The Canberra has always been the bridesmaid and never the bride. So it’s going to be very sad that something that’s been flying for two thirds of the time of powered flight has finally got to retire.
End of an era; A 39 Sqn Canberra PR9 proudly showing the Squadron Badge and the aircraft number.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
Heritage
"Many people have forgotten the heritage the Canberra has. When it first came into Service it held the record for the first double crossing of the Atlantic and in a single day (26 August 1952), several altitude records (70, 310 ft. 28 Aug 1957), as well as winning the New Zealand air race 8/9 Oct 1953.
"Since then it’s had many achievements. Its got an historic past and most people have forgotten exactly what it has accomplished, as well as the fact that it is still a very capable aircraft today."
Summing up the Canberra’s many achievements and its contribution to military aviation Wg Cdr Mitchell said:
"I think if you look at all the roles it has performed and the variants we have had it has been available in every role from a low altitude bomber to a high altitude reconnaissance platform and it’s still doing the job 56 years after it came into Service, and doing the job very effectively. If you consider it has been around for 60% of the RAF’s history it really is immense."
Key events to mark the retirement of the Canberra and the disbandment of 39 (1PRU) Squadron are as follows:
1 / 2 July Waddington Airshow
15/16 July RIAT, RAF Fairford
27 July RAF Marham Families Day
28 July Squadron disbandment parade (including final flypast)
30 July Laying-up of squadron standard, St Clement Danes Church
Curtain comes down as the Canberra makes its last operational flight
23 Jun 06
An era almost unmatched in RAF history comes to an end today, Friday 23 June 2006, when two Canberra PR9 aircraft of No. 39(1 PRU) Squadron land back at their home base, Royal Air Force Marham in Norfolk, for the final time. Their return from what is the aircraft's final ever deployment marks the end of operational service for the Canberra, the first variant of which took its maiden flight in 1949.
A 39 (1 PRU) Sqn Canberra departs to carry out a mission during the aircraft's last operational detachment, once again in the Gulf Region.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
At the same time the curtain also comes down on No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron as it prepares to disband with due ceremony. The retirement of the Canberra, and the disbandment of the Squadron, signal the end of an operational career unequalled by any other aircraft in the Service – almost two thirds of the time that the RAF has been in existence.
And right to the end, the Canberra has been providing invaluable information to those pursuing peaceful objectives overseas - this time the Canberras and 39 Squadron have spent the last five months in the Middle East flying dangerous missions on an almost daily basis. Furthermore in the last few years 39 (1 PRU) Sqn and the Canberra have been deployed almost constantly on operations around the world, providing high quality imagery to a variety of ‘customers’.
Originally conceived at the end of the Second World War, the Canberra was introduced to the RAF as its first jet bomber in 1951, replacing such stalwarts as the Avro Lincoln and Washington (lend-lease Boeing B-29 Superfortress), and it went on to fulfil just about any requirement that could be devised for one aircraft type.
Canberra PR9 navigator Wing Commander Clive Mitchell, is the current, and final, RAF officer to be in charge of 39 (1 PRU) Sqn. He has a lengthy, if interrupted, association with the aircraft. Speaking during the Squadron’s final operational deployment he reflected on the aircraft and the Squadron’s many achievements:
"I joined the RAF in 1982 and, on completion of my navigator training was posted to 100 Sqn at RAF Wyton where I had my first experience of the aircraft, flying five different marks of Canberra over a three-year period," he said.
"The Canberra is a classic airframe. What can you say about it? It first flew in 1949 and here we are in 2006 and it’s still flying operationally and will be until five weeks before it retires."
Wg Cdr Clive Mitchell, Officer Commanding 39 (1 PRU) Sqn, the last RAF officer to command a Canberra unit.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
Distinguished history
The design of the Canberra began in 1944 at English Electric in Preston. It entered RAF service on 25 May 1951 as a medium bomber, although photographic reconnaissance (PR) variants appeared soon after. The prototype PR9 flew for the first time on 08 July 1955.
39 Squadron was equipped with PR Canberras from July 1958, receiving its first PR9 version in October 1962 which it flew until May 1982 when it disbanded at RAF Wyton. The Squadron reformed at Wyton in July 1992 as 39 (1 PRU) Sqn, again with Canberra PR9s, subsequently moving to its current home at RAF Marham soon after.
The Canberra bomber wings in the United Kingdom propelled Bomber Command into the jet age, and paved the way for the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor strategic V-bombers – all of which the Canberra was destined to outlive in RAF service.
Wg Cdr Mitchell has a deep appreciation of the Canberra’s illustrious history:
"The aircraft entered service in 1951 with 101 Squadron at Binbrook. It’s since served on 26 different stations, with 63 squadrons and, of course, I’ve got the last three in service, still on operations right up until they retire."
At a time when such a historic aircraft is about to retire it would be easy to let emotions take over practical considerations. But how important has the aircraft really been to the UK?
"I think the fact that we’re still operating them in the Middle East speaks for itself. If it didn’t have a use, then it wouldn’t be flying any more. In the last ten years, particularly, it’s really come into its own and has been producing great imagery for all sorts of people."
Being in the desert is thirsty work; SAC(T) Rob Wormald refuels a Canberra after it has returned to base.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
Canberra – your flexible friend
With the exception of the reconnaissance function, the main Canberra period was drawing to a close from about 1970, and many aircraft were converted to perform secondary roles, which they did for many more years. Functions included radar calibration, unmanned target drones and target towing aircraft used by both the RAF and Royal Navy, as well as electronic countermeasures and electronic warfare training, and a considerable number of airframes engaged over the years on a wide variety of trials work.
It is, however, in the photographic reconnaissance role that the Canberra has secured its place in aviation history. Taskings during the Cold War in support of NATO security were interspersed with deployments to some exotic locations, undertaking surveying and mapping of foreign countries. There were also taskings in support of the civilian community, such as supporting police investigations.
For Wg Cdr Mitchell, this flexibility – the fact that it has flown in so many different roles – speaks for itself:
"It does and the crews who fly it may be old but they are very good at the jobs they do and what they’re required to do. I know some of our coalition partners who have provided us with (photography) equipment have been surprised at the results we’ve achieved with their equipment.
"The fact we’re flexible, we can move around where the weather is good, we can change things at a moment’s notice on a sortie to produce what’s required to get the job done."
A 39 (1 PRU) Sqn Canberra PR9 is made ready for an early sortie during the last operational deployment.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
A sad day
How does Wg Cdr Mitchell feel being in charge when the aircraft and the Squadron come to an end?
"Obviously it’s a huge honour. I’m the last in a line of 307 commanding officers of Canberra squadrons, and to take it out of Service in such a high profile manner, being on operations right up until the end doing a very useful job, is just a huge privilege and responsibility."
And will he shed a tear when Squadron disbands and the aircraft leaves Service?
"Personally I think it’s going to be very sad. I have characters on the Squadron who have been flying the aircraft for many years with thousands of flying hours. I’m relatively new, having only done two tours with around 1,400 hours, but it will still be a very sad moment when it finally goes.
"I know from some of the things I’m organising there’s a huge groundswell of opinion towards the Canberra, people love it and they would love to see it on the airshow circuit.
"In many ways we do miss the halcyon days of the 1950s when the aircraft was breaking all sorts of records. The Canberra has always been the bridesmaid and never the bride. So it’s going to be very sad that something that’s been flying for two thirds of the time of powered flight has finally got to retire.
End of an era; A 39 Sqn Canberra PR9 proudly showing the Squadron Badge and the aircraft number.
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark RAF]
Heritage
"Many people have forgotten the heritage the Canberra has. When it first came into Service it held the record for the first double crossing of the Atlantic and in a single day (26 August 1952), several altitude records (70, 310 ft. 28 Aug 1957), as well as winning the New Zealand air race 8/9 Oct 1953.
"Since then it’s had many achievements. Its got an historic past and most people have forgotten exactly what it has accomplished, as well as the fact that it is still a very capable aircraft today."
Summing up the Canberra’s many achievements and its contribution to military aviation Wg Cdr Mitchell said:
"I think if you look at all the roles it has performed and the variants we have had it has been available in every role from a low altitude bomber to a high altitude reconnaissance platform and it’s still doing the job 56 years after it came into Service, and doing the job very effectively. If you consider it has been around for 60% of the RAF’s history it really is immense."
Key events to mark the retirement of the Canberra and the disbandment of 39 (1PRU) Squadron are as follows:
1 / 2 July Waddington Airshow
15/16 July RIAT, RAF Fairford
27 July RAF Marham Families Day
28 July Squadron disbandment parade (including final flypast)
30 July Laying-up of squadron standard, St Clement Danes Church
