Warbird Information Exchange

Welcome to the world's newest civilian warbird...?

The day finally came. With no fuss or ceremony three RAF crews delivered the RAF's final trio of serviceable Canberras to their new owners at Kemble.

First flight - 1949
Entered RAF service - 1951
PR.9 first flight - 1955
PR.9 entered service - 1960
PR.9 left service - 2006

Now that is what I call value for money.

Some pics from today...





















With many thanks to Falcon Aviation, Delta Jets and Kemble Airfield for throwing their doors open to anybody who wanted to come along and witness this moment in aviation history.

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Awfully nice aeroplane piccies available

Is it just me or are the canopies offset to the left?

wow thanks. Am lucky to have seen one flying at the Elvington show in 2000. My pics are in storage somewhere.

John

Not just you, they are.

Of course, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you though...

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Raven

Who is the new owner? Kennet Aviation? What is store for their future? Anyone know?

Cheers, R.

Long service record but the BUFF will have it beat!

Thx for the photos!

regards,

t~

JohnH - the PR.9 shares a lot with the B(I).8, the previous version. This dispensed with the goldfish bowl canopy of the pure bomber variants in order to give better visibility for low level ground attack operations (the B(I).8 could carry a most impressive weapon load including gun packs and nukes). On the 8 the canopy didn't actually open - the pilot entered via a hatch - but on the 9 the canopy arrangement was kept, however it hinges open at the rear. The nav sits in a very tight space in the nose and has two tiny windows and a porthole in the tip of the nose to look out of - not a popular spot.

RMAllnutt - Falcon Aviation have bought XH131 and XH135.

XH131 has become due her major service on arrival at Kemble so will not be flying again any time soon. She will be stored in the open at the airfield, with covers on.

XH135 requires a spar NDT test every other flight - coincidentally the new owners have an NDT rig. She will also be stored in the open with covers on.

XH134 is owned by a different company to the other two. She will be hangared, and is the airframe most likely to be carrying out some survey work apparently. Perhaps the RAF will feel the need to borrow her services from time to time!

All three were having some kit removed as I left, as part of the de-militarisation process.

Delta will be looking after the engineering on these old girls and hopefully we'll see them being exercised regularly along the runway; fingers crossed we'll see them airborne again in the not too distant future.

Any rumours about going to the USA/South Africa/Switzerland are just that - rumours - as far as I know no firm decisions have been taken.

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Awfully nice aeroplane piccies available