The English Electric Canberra was a first-generation jet bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The type remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 23 June 2006, 57 years after its first flight. Download high resolution version (951x464, 36 KB)English Electric Canberra - my own photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... English Electric logo English Electric was a 20th-century British industrial manufacturer, initially of electric motors, and expanding to include railway locomotives and aviation, before becoming part of GEC. // 1917: Dick, Kerr & Co. ... William Edward Willoughby Petter (1908-1968) known as Teddy was an English aircraft designer. ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (134th in leap years). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1949: Events Aerolíneas Argentinas established. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1951: Events February February 21 - an English Electric Canberra becomes the first jet to make an unrefuelled crossing of the Atlantic, taking 4 hours 37 minutes March March 6 - the Martin aircraft company gains production rights to the English Electric Canberra... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2006: // January 19 - Jet Airways announces its purchase of Air Sahara, creating the largest domestic airliner in India. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina, FAA) is the national air force of Argentina. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... The Martin B-57 Canberra was a twin-engine jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. ... The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most recognizable and famous bombers of World War II. A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Origins

The Canberra had its origins in 1944 as a replacement was considered for the unarmed high speed, high altitude de Havilland Mosquito bomber. Several British aircraft manufacturers submitted proposals. Among the companies shortlisted to proceed with development studies was English Electric, a well-established industrial manufacturer with very little aircraft experience. A desperate need for bombers arose during the early years of World War II, when English Electric began to build the Hampden under licence. This is a list of aviation-related events from 1944: Events January January 11 - in one of the largest air raids to date, 570 USAAF bombers strike Brunswick, Halberstadt, and Oschersleben. ... The de Havilland Mosquito[1] was a British combat aircraft that excelled in a number of roles during the Second World War. ... English Electric logo English Electric was a 20th-century British industrial manufacturer, initially of electric motors, and expanding to include railway locomotives and aviation, before becoming part of GEC. // 1917: Dick, Kerr & Co. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The Handley Page HP.52 Hampden was a twin-engine medium bomber of the Royal Air Force that was one of the main front-line bombers at the start of World War II. Along with the Whitley and Wellington bombers, the Hampden bore the brunt of the early bombing war...

The new English Electric design team was headed by former Westland chief designer W. E. W. Petter. The aircraft was named Canberra after the capital of Australia by Sir George Nelson, chairman of English Electric, because Australia was the first export customer for the aircraft. ^[1] In May 1945 a contract was signed, but with the post-war military reductions, the prototype did not fly until May 1949. It was a simple design, looking like a scaled-up Gloster Meteor with a shoulder wing. The fuselage was circular in cross section, tapered at both ends and, cockpit aside, entirely without protrusions; the line of the large, low aspect ratio wings was broken only by the tubular engine nacelles. Westland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturer located in Yeovil in Somerset, formed just before the start of World War II. During the war the company produced a number of generally unsuccessful designs, but their Lysander would serve as an important liaison aircraft with the RAF. After the war the... William Edward Willoughby Petter (1908-1968) known as Teddy was an English aircraft designer. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1945: // Events January January 1 - the Luftwaffe begins targeting Allied airfields in Europe as Operation Bodenplatte February February 13-15 - Allied bombers attack Dresden with incendiary weapons, destroying most of the city and killing some 50,000 people. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1949: Events Aerolíneas Argentinas established. ... The Gloster Meteor was the Allies first operational jet fighter. ...

Canberra PR.9 taking off.

Although jet-powered and of all-metal construction, the Canberra design philosophy was very much in the Mosquito mould, i.e. provide room for a substantial bomb load, fit two of the most powerful engines available, and wrap it in the smallest, most aerodynamic package possible. Rather than devote space and weight to defensive armament — which historically could not overcome purpose-designed fighter aircraft — the Canberra was designed to fly fast and high enough to avoid air-to-air combat entirely. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2136x1283, 154 KB) English Electric Canberra PR.9 (identifier XH135) taking off from the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2136x1283, 154 KB) English Electric Canberra PR.9 (identifier XH135) taking off from the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The Canberra was designed for a crew of two, under a fighter-style canopy, but delays in the development of the intended automatic radar bombsight resulted in the addition of a bomb aimer's position in the nose. Wingspan and length were almost identical at just under 20 metres, maximum takeoff weight a little under 25 tonnes. Thrust was provided by a pair of 30 kN axial flow Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets. The Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet was developed by Cyril Lovesey who had previously been in charge of Merlin development at Rolls-Royce. ...

RAF photo-reconnaissance Canberra PR.9, the pilot is standing by the plane's nose below the offset "fighter" style canopy.

In the autumn of 1945, Air Ministry specification B.3/45 requested production of 4 prototypes. Although construction began in early 1946, the first aircraft flew only on 13 May 1949. In the interim, the Air Ministry had already ordered 132 production aircraft in bomber, reconnaissance, and training variants. The prototype proved vice-free and required only a few modifications. A new glazed nose had to be fitted to accommodate a bombardier because the advanced bombing avionics were not ready for production, the engines were upgraded to more powerful Avon R.A.3s, and the distinctive teardrop-shaped fuel tanks were fitted under the wingtips. RAF photo-reconnaissance Canberra XH168 photographed at the Classic Jet Air Show, Kemble, England, in June 2003. ... RAF photo-reconnaissance Canberra XH168 photographed at the Classic Jet Air Show, Kemble, England, in June 2003. ... This is a partial list of the British Air Ministry specifications for aircraft. ... May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (134th in leap years). ...

The resultant Canberra B2 first flew on 21 April 1950, and entered squadron service with RAF 101 Sqn in May 1951. In a testament to the aircraft's benign handling characteristics, the transition program consisted of only 20 hours in the Gloster Meteor and 3 hours in the dual-control Canberra trainer. With a maximum speed of 470 kt (871 km/h), a standard service ceiling of 48,000 ft (14,600 m), and the ability to carry a 3.6 tonne payload, the Canberra was an instant success. It was built in 27 versions which equipped 35 RAF squadrons, and were exported to Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Rhodesia, South Africa, Sweden, Venezuela and West Germany. April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... No. ... The Gloster Meteor was the Allies first operational jet fighter. ... Southern Rhodesia, todays Zimbabwe. ...

Other manufacturers

In the United States where the USAF needed to replace the B-26 Invader, 406 Canberras were manufactured under licence as the Martin B-57 Canberra in several versions, initially almost exactly the same as the English Electric pattern aircraft, later with a series of substantial modifications. In Australia, the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) built 48 for the RAAF, broadly similar to the British B.2 but with a modified leading edge, increased fuel capacity and room for three starter cartridges (although in practice, all three cartridges would sometimes fire, leading to the triple starter units being loaded singly.^[2] In the United Kingdom, the demand for Canberras exceeded English Electric's ability to supply, and Handley Page and Short Brothers also manufactured them under licence. Total worldwide Canberra production was 1,352. Seal of the Air Force. ... First flying in 1942, the Douglas A-26 Invader (after 1948, the B-26, and after 1966, the A-26A) was a twin-engined light attack bomber aircraft built during World War II and seeing service in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. ... The Martin B-57 Canberra was a twin-engine jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. ... The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... The Handley Page Aircraft Company was founded by Frederick Handley Page in 1909. ... Short Brothers plc is a British aerospace company now based in Belfast. ...

Aircraft description

One of two Canberras in service with the Luftwaffe at the museum at Gatow Airport.

The Canberra is an all-metal aircraft. The fuselage is of semi-monocoque construction with a pressurized nose compartment. The crew sit on a Martin-Baker ejection seat except for the B(I)8 and export versions of the B(I)8 where the navigator has to rely on a conventional escape hatch and parachute. The fuselage contains two bomb bays with conventional clamshell doors (a rotating door was implemented on the Martin-built B-57 Canberra). The wing is of single-spar construction with the spar passing through the fuselage. Outside of the engine nacelles, the wing has a leading edge sweep of 4° and trailing edge sweep of -14°. Controls are conventional with ailerons, four-section flaps, and airbrakes on top and bottom surfaces of the wings. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (812x600, 206 KB) One of two English Electric Canberras operated by the West German Luftwaffe at the Luftwaffe Museum in Berlin-Gatows Gatow Airport Picture taken by Andreas Biermann (Wiki user Andreas1968) in 2004. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (812x600, 206 KB) One of two English Electric Canberras operated by the West German Luftwaffe at the Luftwaffe Museum in Berlin-Gatows Gatow Airport Picture taken by Andreas Biermann (Wiki user Andreas1968) in 2004. ... This or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Known for most of its operational life as RAF Gatow, this former airfield is in the district of Gatow in south-western Berlin, west of the Havel river, in the borough of Spandau. ... Monocoque (French for single shell) is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the structure. ... Martin-Baker Aircraft is a manufacturer of aircraft seats and is the oldest existing maker of ejector seats. ... The Martin B-57 Canberra was a twin-engine jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. ... In airplanes, the nacelle is a covered housing separated from the main structure that usually holds engines, fuel, or equipment. ... For the band with a similar name, see The Ailerons Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. ... In aeronautics air brakes are a type of flight control used on aircraft to reduce speed during landing. ...

Service

Canberras remained in front-line service with major air forces throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and continued to serve as bombers and reconnaissance aircraft with minor air forces through the 1980s and 1990s. In the UK, the PR9 variant remained in service with 39 (1PRU) Squadron until July 2006 for tactical reconnaissance and photographic mapping, seeing service in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and, as recently as June 2006, in Afghanistan. The only Canberras remaining in active service are two American-built B-57s operated by NASA for high altitude research. No. ... The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... The Martin B-57 Canberra was a twin-engine jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States federal government, responsible for the nations public space program. ...

SAAF Canberra B12 with inertial navigation and special sensors package over Transvaal.

The Canberra played a part in many conflicts, being employed as a bomber by the RAF during the Suez Crisis; by the UK, New Zealand, and Australia in the Malayan Emergency; by the United States and Australia in Vietnam; by Ethiopia against Eritrea and then Somalia during the 1970s; by both Rhodesia and South Africa in their respective Bush Wars and by Argentina in the Falklands War. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2836x1611, 811 KB) author, author/squadron member I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2836x1611, 811 KB) author, author/squadron member I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Flag of Transvaal For the Russian theme park, see Transvaal Park. ... Combatants Israel United Kingdom France Egypt Commanders Moshe Dayan Charles Keightley Pierre Barjot Gamal Abdel Nasser Strength 175,000 Israeli 45,000 British 34,000 French 70,000 Casualties 197 Israeli KIA 56 British KIA 91 British WIA 10 French KIA 43 French WIA 650 KIA 2,900 WIA 2... The Malayan Emergency was an insurrection and guerrilla war of the Malay Races Liberation Army against the British and Malayan administration from 1948-1960 in what is now Malaysia. ... Southern Rhodesia, todays Zimbabwe. ... Combatants Rhodesia ZANLA ZIPRA Government of Botswana Government of Tanzania Government of Zambia Mozambican Liberation Front [1] Commanders Ian Smith P. K. van der Byl Peter Walls ZANU: Robert Mugabe ZAPU: Joshua Nkomo Casualties unknown unknown Civilians killed = Around 30,000 The Rhodesian Bush War —­ as it was known at... Combatants United Kingdom Argentina Commanders Sir John Fieldhouse Sir John Woodward Margaret Thatcher Leopoldo Galtieri Mario Menéndez Ernesto Crespo Casualties 258 killed[1] 777 wounded 59 taken prisoner 649 killed 1,068 wounded 11,313 taken prisoner The Falklands War (Spanish: ) was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the...

The Canberra was the backbone of the Indian Air Force for bombing raids and photo reconnaissance. It was first used in 1962 by the IAF as part of the UN campaign against the breakaway Katanga republic in Africa. During the Indo-Pakistani Wars of the 1960s and 1970s, the Canberra was used by both sides. The most audacious use of the bomber was in the "Raid on Badin" during the Second Kashmir War, when the Indian Air Force sent in the Canberra to bomb a vital Pakistani radar post in West Pakistan. The raid was a complete success and crippled the radars in Badin.^[3] In the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 they flew a very important sortie hitting the Karachi oil tanks, helping the Indian Navy to carryout their missile boat attacks with impunity.[1] On 21 May 1999, prior to the commencement of the Kargil War, the Air HQ of the Indian Air Force assigned a Canberra PR57 aircraft on a photographic mission near the LOC (Line of Control), where it took a severe blow from a FIM-92 Stinger infrared homing missile on the starboard engine and with only one operational engine left it still managed to return to base. The Canberras were finally retired by the IAF after 50 years of service on 11 May 2007.^[4] The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... Capital Lubumbashi Created June 1960 Dissolved January 1963 Demonym Katangan Currency Katanga franc Katanga is the southern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, regional capital Lubumbashi (formerly Elizabethville). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Since both nations achieved independence in August 1947, there have been three major wars and one minor war between India and Pakistan. ... The 1965 war between India and Pakistan, also known as the Second Kashmir War, was the culmination of a series of skirmishes that occurred between April 1965 and September 1965. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... West Pakistan was the popular and sometimes official (1955–1970) name of the western wing of Pakistan until 1971, when the eastern wing (East Pakistan) became independent as Bangladesh. ... Combatants India Pakistan Commanders Sam Manekshaw J.S. Aurora A. A. K. Niazi # Strength 500,000+ troops 400,000+ troops Casualties 3,843 killed[1] 9,851 wounded[1] c. ... Sortie is a term for deployment of one military aircraft or a ship for the purposes of a specific mission, whether alone, or with other aircraft or vessels. ... The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. ... Missile Boat, see Missile Boat (disambiguation) Missile boat FNS Hamina of the Finnish Navy. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants India Pakistan, Kashmiri secessionists, Islamic militants (Foreign Fighters) Strength 30,000 5,000 Casualties Indian Official Figures: 527 killed,[1][2][3] 1,363 wounded[4] 1 POW Pakistani Estimates: 357–4,000+ killed[5][6] (Pakistan troops) 665+ soldiers wounded[5] 8 POWs. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... Shown in green is the Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. ... Type MANPADS Nationality United States Era Cold War/modern Launch platform Man portable Target aircraft History Builder Raytheon Missile Systems Date of design 1967 Production period Service duration 1981-present Operators Britain, Germany, Israel, Iran, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Switzerland, United States Variants Number built Approx. ... Infra-red homing refers to a guidance system which uses the infra-red light emission from a target to track it. ...

During the Vietnam War, GAF Canberras from 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force were valued, because of their optical bombsights; these meant they could carry out bombing raids from higher altitudes, often with total surprise. More modern bombers and attack aircraft either used less-accurate electronic targeting equipment and/or dive bombing tactics, which risked greater losses to Viet Cong and North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire. Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... A Wedgetail from No. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... Junkers Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy and limit the exposure to and effectiveness of anti-aircraft fire. ... A Viet Cong soldier, heavily guarded, awaits interrogation following capture in the attacks on Saigon during the festive Tet holiday period of 1968. ... The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN), or less commonly, Vietnamese Democratic Republic (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cộng Hòa), also known as North Vietnam, was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, September 2nd1945 and was recognized by the Peoples Republic of China and the...

But perhaps the best remembered role was in the Cold War, where modified very high-altitude Canberras overflew the Soviet Union and China many times before the advent of the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. In 1955 the USAF ordered 20 RB-57Ds from Martin, with modified Pratt & Whitney J57 engines and an extended 33 metre wingspan. These, and a later version with longer 37 metre wings, were used for both photographic and electronic reconnaissance. On 24 December 1957, a USAF RB-57 was shot down by Soviet fighters over the Black Sea, and in February 1958 and October 1959 RB-57Ds operated by the Chinese Nationalists were shot down over mainland China. After President Eisenhower's 1960 ban on overflying the USSR, they continued to monitor Eastern Bloc nations, often flying just outside territorial limits at about 60,000 ft (18,300 m) to look deep into the forbidden territory, until 14 December 1965 (1968 according to other accounts) when an RB-57F was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over the Black Sea near Odessa. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed Dragon Lady, is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude aircraft flown by the United States Air Force. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1955: Events February February 26 - George F. Smith becomes the first person to survive a supersonic ejection, from a North American F-100 Super Sabre travelling (Mach 1. ... The Pratt & Whitney JT3C was a turbojet engine of the 1950s. ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (359th in leap years). ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... NASA satellite image of the Black Sea Map of the Black Sea The Black Sea is an inland sea between southeastern Europe and Anatolia that is actually a distant arm of the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Mediterranean Sea. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party of China (Traditional Chinese: 中國國民黨; Simplified Chinese: 中国国民党; pinyin: Zhōngguó Guómíndǎng; Wade-Giles: Chung-kuo Kuo-min-tang; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhongguo Guomindang; literally the National Peoples Party of China... Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890–March 28, 1969), American soldier and politician, was the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961) and supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, with the rank of General of the Army. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1960: Events January January 1 - Fiji Airways is reconstituted, becoming equally owned by BOAC, QANTAS, and Tasman Empire Airways. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... Akash Missile Firing French Air Force Crotale battery Bendix Rim-8 Talos surface to air missile of the US Navy A surface-to-air missile (SAM) is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft. ... For other uses, see Odessa (disambiguation). ...

The Argentine Air Force received 10 B.62 and 2 T.64 trainers at the beginning of the 1970s. During the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War, eight of them were deployed to Trelew, (a distance of 670 mi (1,080 km) from the islands) to avoid congestion on the closer southern airfields. From May 1 to June 14, they made 35 sorties, 25 of them at night against ground troops. Two aircraft were lost to missiles - the ship launched Sea Dart. The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina, FAA) is the national air force of Argentina. ... Trelew is a city in the province of Chubut, in the Argentine Patagonia, with a population of about 89,000 as per the 2001 census [INDEC]. The city has a small commercial center, several neighborhoods, and some villas miseria (shanty towns), in which the houses are made of tin metal... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Type surface-to-air, surface-to-surface Nationality UK Era Cold War Launch platform ship Target aircraft or ship History Builder British Aerospace Date of design Production period Service duration 1973 Operators UK (Royal Navy), Argentina Variants ? Number built 2,000+ Specifications Type Diameter 0. ...

NASA retains (as of July 2005) NASA 926 and NASA 928 for high altitude research. These aircraft observed the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-114, on 26 July 2005. The aircraft perform other scientific observation roles on weather, pollution and ozone layer depletion studies. These aircraft entered USAF service in 1964 as WB-57Fs with 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron prior to joining NASA in the early 1970s. NASA operated 925 from 1972-82 when it was retired. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States federal government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... STS-114 was the first return to flight Space Shuttle mission following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2005: // Events January January 29 - Nonstop flights between mainland China and Taiwan take off for the first time since 1949. ... The ozone layer is the part of the Earths atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1964: // Events February February 7 - The Canadian Golden Hawks aerobatic team is disbanded. ...

A GAF Canberra photographed at Avalon (near Melbourne) in early 2003.

The Temora Aviation Museums Canberra photographed at Nowra Air Show 6 May 2007.

The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber right through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft (21,430 m) in 1957. (The Lockheed U-2 may have flown higher, but was secret at that time. That said, the service ceiling of the Canberra PR9 remains classified.) English Electric Canberra - front view, my own photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... English Electric Canberra - front view, my own photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Avalon is a locality in the State of Australia. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... Nowra shops Nowra park Nowra is the commercial and main administrative centre for the City of Shoalhaven region in New South Wales, Australia. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1957: Events January January 18 - Three Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses make the worlds first round the world, non-stop flight by turbojet-powered aircraft. ...

The RAF's three-seat trainer Canberra T4s flew their last flights at RAF Marham in September 2005 because of the retirement of the photo-reconnaissance Canberras on 23 June 2006. In the twilight of their service these had been operational over Afghanistan. Sources indicate that there is no prospective replacement for the Canberra for future reconnaissance work such as that over Afghanistan. RAF Marham is a Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, England. ...

A ceremony to mark the closure of No. 39 (PRU) Sqn 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 July 31 when three were delivered to their new home with Delta Jets at Kemble. They have been purchased by private agencies and will be kept serviceable pending developments which might include contract work. July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... July 31 is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

After the Canberra left RAF service, the other full-time military operator, the Indian Air Force, announced the withdrawal of the Canberra from combat service from March 2007. The last Canberras operated by the Indian Air Force have retired after a 50 year career. Other Canberras are retained by the Air Force of Peru and several ex-RAF machines and RB-57s are flying in the US for research and mapping work.

About ten airworthy Canberras are in private hands today, and are a popular feature at flying displays.

Flight records set by a Canberra

• 1951 - first non-stop transatlantic crossing by a jet.
• 1952 - first double transatlantic crossing by a jet.
• 1953 - height record - 63,668 ft
• 1955 - height record - 65,890 ft
• 1957 - height record - 70,310 ft

Canberra B.2 (WK163) with a Napier "Double Scorpion" rocket motor in August.

Transatlantic flight is any flight of an aircraft, whether fixed-wing aircraft, balloon or other device, which involves crossing the Atlantic Ocean -- with a starting point in North America or South America and ending in Europe or Africa, or vice versa. ... Napier & Son were one of the most important English aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid 20th Century. ...

Variants

See B-57 Canberra for the US-built variants.

English Electric A.1

The first Canberra prototype.

B.Mk.1

Pre-production prototype, 4 built.

B.Mk.2

First production version, crew increased to 3, Avon R.A.3 engines with 6,500 lbf (28.91 kN) of thrust, wingtip fuel tanks. Built by English Electric, Avro, Handley Page and Short Brothers & Harland ^[5]

B.Mk.5

Prototype of second-generation Canberra with fuel tanks in the wings and Avon R.A.7 engines with 7,490 lbf (33.32 kN) of thrust

B.Mk.6

Production version based on B.Mk.5. 1 ft (0.3 m) fuselage stretch, could be fitted with a belly pack with 4x 20 mm cannons for strafing.

B.Mk.6RC

RC= Radio Countermeasures - Specialist ELINT version only 4 produced. Extended nose.

B(I).Mk.6

Interim bomber version for the RAF.

B(I).Mk.8

Third-generation Canberra derived from B.Mk.6. Teardrop canopy on the port site of the fuselage, crew reduced to 2 (pilot and navigator-bombardier), provision for a belly pack with 4x 20 mm British-Hispano cannons, one external hardpoint under each wing for up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs or unguided rockets, LABS (Low-Altitude Bombing System) for delivery of nuclear bombs. First flight 23 July 1954, 73 built.

B(I).Mk.12

B(I).Mk.8 bomber built for New Zealand and South Africa.

B.Mk.15

Upgraded B.Mk.6 with underwing hardpoints for 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs or rockets.

B.Mk.16

Similar to B.Mk.15.

B.Mk.20

B.Mk.2 with additional fuel tanks in the wings license-built in Australia, 48 built.

B(I).Mk.58

Tropicalized B(I).Mk.8 built by Boulton-Paul for India.

PR.Mk.3

Photo-reconnaissance version of B.Mk.2

PR.Mk.7

Photo-reconnaissance version based on B.Mk.6

PR.Mk.9

Photo-reconnaissance version based on B(I).Mk.8 with fuselage stretched to 68 ft (27.72 m), wingspan increased by 4 ft (1.22 m), and Avon R.A.27 engines with 10,030 lbf (44.6 kN) of thrust. 22 built. 3 transfered to Chile after the Falklands War

PR.Mk.57

Tropicalized PR.Mk.7 built by Boulton-Paul for India.

T.Mk.4

First trainer variant with dual controls.

T.Mk.11

Radar trainer for weapon systems operators of all-weather interceptors.

T.Mk.13

Training version of the T.Mk.4 for the RNZAF, 1 built.

T.Mk.17

Electronic warfare training aircraft used to train surface-based radar and missile operators and airborne fighter and Airborne Early Warning crews in handling jamming (including chaff dropping) aircraft.EWoc 14:44, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

T.Mk.17A

Updated version of the T17 with improved navigation aids, a spectrum analyser in place of the previously-fitted AN/APR 20, and a powerful communications jammer.EWoc 14:44, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

TT.Mk.18

Target tug.

T.Mk.19

T.Mk.11 with radar removed as silent target.

T.Mk.21

Trainers converted from B.Mk.2 and B.Mk.20

T.Mk.22

Conversion of the PR.Mk.7 for Royal Navy's Fleet and Air Direction Unit. Used for training Buccaneer navigators.

U.Mk.10

Remote-controlled target drones converted from B.Mk.2, later redesignated D.Mk.10.

U.Mk.14

Remote-controlled target drones converted from the U.Mk.10, later designated D.Mk.14.

Canberra Mk.52

4 refurbished B.Mk.2 bombers sold to Ethiopia.

Canberra Mk.56

10 refurbished B(I).Mk.6 bombers sold to Peru.

Canberra Mk.62

10 refurbished B.Mk.2 bombers sold to Argentina.

Canberra Mk.64

2 refurbished T.Mk.4 trainers sold to Argentina.

Canberra Mk.66

10 refurbished B(I).Mk.6 bombers sold to India.

Canberra Mk.67

2 refurbished PR.Mk.7s sold to India.

Canberra Mk.68

1 refurbished B(I).Mk.8 bomber sold to Peru.

Shorts SC.9

1 Canberra PR.Mk.9 fitted with an AI.23 radar, plus IR installation in the nose for Red Top air-to-air missile trials.

The Martin B-57 Canberra was a twin-engine jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. ... Avro 504K. Avro was a British aircraft manufacturer, well known for planes such as the Avro Lancaster which served in World War II. One of the worlds first aircraft builders, A.V.Roe and Company was established at Brownsfield Mills, Manchester, England by Alliot Verdon Roe and his brother... The Handley Page Aircraft Company was founded by Frederick Handley Page in 1909. ... Short Brothers plc is a British aerospace company now based in Belfast. ... July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... Boulton Paul Defiant Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd was a British aircraft manufacturer that operated between 1914 and 1961. ... The Royal New Zealand Air Force or RNZAF is the air operations arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. ... Short Brothers plc is a British aerospace company now based in Belfast. ... Hawker Siddeley Red Top missile mounted on a English Electric Lightning at the RAF Museum at Hendon, London. ...

Operators

Canberra (dark blue) and B-57 (light blue) operators^[6]

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1425x625, 29 KB) Operators of the English Electric Canberra (dark blue) and Martin B-57 (light blue). ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1425x625, 29 KB) Operators of the English Electric Canberra (dark blue) and Martin B-57 (light blue). ... The English Electric Canberra was a first-generation jet bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s, and remaining in service until the early years of the 21st century. ...

E.E. Canberra

•  Argentina: Fuerza Aérea Argentina
•  Australia: Royal Australian Air Force
•  Chile: Fuerza Aérea de Chile
•  Ecuador: Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana
•  Ethiopia: Ethiopian Air Force
•  France: Centre d'Essais en Vol, Centre du Tir et de Bombardment^[6]
•  Germany: Luftwaffe
•  India: Indian Air Force
•  New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force
•  Peru: Fuerza Aérea del Perú
•  Rhodesia: Royal Rhodesian Air Force
•  South Africa: South African Air Force
•  Sweden: Svenska Flygvapnet
•  United Kingdom: Royal Air Force, Royal Navy
•  Venezuela: Fuerza Aérea Venezolana
•  Zimbabwe: Air Force of Zimbabwe

Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina, FAA) is the national air force of Argentina. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile_(bordered). ... Air Force Flag Image:Fach. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ecuador. ... The Ecuadorian Air Force (Spanish: , FAE) is the Air arm of the Military of Ecuador which includes many fighter aircraft and is one of the most powerful air forces in South America with the Brazilian Air Force, Chilean Air Force, Peruvian Air Force and the Venezuela Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ethiopia. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_France. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... This or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_India. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is the air force arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru. ... The Peruvian Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aerea del Peru, or FAP) is the aviation branch of the armed forces of Peru. ... Image File history File links Flag of Rhodesia, 1965–1968. ... Southern Rhodesia, todays Zimbabwe. ... The former name of the Rhodesian Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... The South African Air Force roundel The South African Air Force (SAAF) (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag) is the air force of South Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sweden. ... Coat of arms of the Swedish Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Venezuela_1930-2006. ... The Air Force of Venezuela (Fuerza Aérea Venezolana, FAV) is a professional armed body designed to defend Venezuelas sovereignty and airspace. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Zimbabwe. ... The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) is the air force of Zimbabwe. ...

Martin B-57

•  Pakistan: Pakistan Air Force
•  Republic of China: Republic of China Air Force
•  United States: United States Air Force, NASA

Image File history File links Flag_of_Pakistan_(bordered). ... Branches of Service Pakistan Army Pakistan Air Force Pakistan Navy Pakistan Coast Guard Pakistan Paramilitary Forces Leadership Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Ehsan ul Haq Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Ahmed Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Afzal Tahir... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... Motto Three Principles of the People (三民主義 San-min Chu-i) Anthem National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (de facto)  Nanking (de jure)1  Largest city Taipei Official languages Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  -  President Chen Shui-bian  -  Vice President Annette Lu  -  Premier Chang Chun-hsiung... The Republic of China Air Force (中華民國空軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó KōngjÅ«n) is the aviation branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China on Taiwan, and is often viewed as one of the most professional and capable branches of the Republic of Chinas armed forces. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States federal government, responsible for the nations public space program. ...

Specifications (Canberra B.Mk.6)

Data from Combat Aircraft Recognition^[7] Image File history File links Canberra_pr9_3vw. ...

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 65 ft 6 in (19.96 m)
• Wingspan: 64 ft 0 in (19.51 m)
• Height: 15 ft 8 in (4.77 m)
• Wing area: 960 ft² (89.19 m²)
• Empty weight: 21,650 lb (9,820 kg)
• Loaded weight: 46,000 lb (21,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 55,000 lb (25,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Avon R.A.7 Mk.109 turbojets, 7,400 lbf (36 kN) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 0.88 (580 mph, 933 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
• Combat radius: 810 mi (700 nm, 1,300 km)
• Ferry range: 3,380 mi (2,940 nm, 5,440 km)
• Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (15,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,400 ft/min (17 m/s)
• Wing loading: 48 lb/ft² (234 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.32

Armament

• Internal: 6,000 lb (2,700 kg)
  • Guns: belly gun pack in rear bomb bay with 4×20 mm cannon, 500 rounds/gun
  • Bombs:
    • 9× 500 lb (230 kg) bombs, or
    • 6× 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs, or
    • 1× 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) bomb

Note: in addition to conventional ordnance, the Canberra was also rated for tactical nuclear weapons delivery eg the Red Beard and B57 bombs. All nuclear weapons were carried internally. The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... The Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet was developed by Cyril Lovesey who had previously been in charge of Merlin development at Rolls-Royce. ... Turbojets are the simplest and oldest kind of general purpose jet engine. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... In aerodynamics, wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing. ... Thrust-to-weight ratio (where weight means weight at the Earths surface) is a dimensionless parameter characteristic of rocket and jet engines, and of vehicles propelled by such engines (typically space launch vehicles and jet aircraft). ... M242 Bushmaster autocannon on an M2 Bradley. ... The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945 lifted nuclear fallout some 18 km (60,000 feet) above the epicenter. ... A Red Beard weapon on its bomb trolley, fitted with a bomb-carrier prior to loading into a Canberra bomber. ... The B57 nuclear bomb was a low-yield tactical nuclear weapon used by the United States during the Cold War. ...

• External: 2,000 lb (900 kg)
  • Guns:
    • 2× 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun pods, or
  • Missiles: 2× AS.30 air-to-ground missiles, or
  • Rockets: 2× unguided rocket pods with 37× 2 in (51 mm) rockets, or
  • Bombs:
    • 4× 500 lb (227 kg) bombs, or
    • 2× 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs

Air-to-ground missiles are missiles launced by military aircraft against targets on the ground. ...

References

External links

• NASA Feature on B-57 at 59
• NASA/JSC WB-57 High Altitude Research Program
• The English Electric Canberra Records
• BBC News - "Vintage jet is flying into sunset"
• Times of India - "India's IAF Canberra bomber makes final flight"
• Argentine Canberras in Spanish
• Kapustin Yar - spyflight over the USSR
• Operation Robin - other spyflights over the USSR
• PR.3 - WF922

Video footage

• Last Flight of the PR9
• Waddington Airshow 2006
• PAF B-57 Bombers (1956)
• The Martin B-57 Canberra
• B-57 Canberra weapons release
• RB-57 Canberra (spy plane)
• Canberra sets new transatlantic crossing record
• Canberra PR9

Related content

Related development

• B-57 Canberra

Comparable aircraft

• Ilyushin Il-28
• Martin XB-51
• Sud-Ouest Vautour

Designation sequence

Kingston - Canberra - Lightning Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... The Martin B-57 Canberra was a twin-engine jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. ... The Ilyushin Il-28 is a jet bomber aircraft that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force and was the USSRs first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. ... The Martin XB-51 was a ground attack aircraft designed to a 1945 United States Army Air Force requirement, and originally designated XA-45. ... The Sud Aviation (SNCASO) S.O. 4050 Vautour II was a French bomber, interceptor, and attack aircraft used by the Armée de lAir (AdA) and the Israeli Heyl HaAvir. ... The English Electric P.5 Kingston was a British twin-engined biplane flying boat built by English Electric Company. ... The English Electric Lightning (later the BAC Lightning) was a supersonic British fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, particularly remembered for its great speed, and its natural metal exterior that was used throughout much of its service life with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force. ...

Related lists

• List of aircraft of the RAF
• List of aircraft of the RAAF
• List of bomber aircraft

See also

• Gloster Meteor
• Portal:British aircraft since World War II