In Active Service

The first prototype Canberra B2, VX 165, flew on April 23, 1950, and the first of 718 production aircraft flew in October of that year, entering RAF service in May 1951. Interest from overseas came early in Canberra’s history. Most of the customers obtained aircraft from the parent company, but both Australia and the United States set up their own production lines. In the United States, the Canberra served as the Martin B-57. The Australian Government Aircraft Factories also manufactured the Canberra under licence as the B20. Forty-eight Australian examples were built, Wifi’T{jve aircraft later converted to dual control trainer T21 versions. Seven British-built Canberras also served with the RAAF. The first Australian-built Canberra flew in May 1953, numbered A84-201.

In December 1953, 2 Squadron was equipped with the Canberra and was followed by No 6 Squadron in 1955 and No 1 Squadron in 1958. (Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons now operate the F-111C strike aircraft, described next issue. ) In 1958, 2 Squadron was deployed to Butterworth, Malaysia, as part of the Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve. There the aircraft flew bombing missions against communist insurgents during the Malayan Emergency. The squadron remained in Malaya until 1967 when it was deployed to Phan Rang, South Vietnam, to become part of the USAF’s 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.

There were critics who expressed doubt about the Canberra’s ability as a useful bomber in a modern war. However, the critics were proved wrong when 2 Squadron was credited with some 16 per cent of the Wing’s damage while flying between 4 per cent and 6 per cent of the missions undertaken by the Wing. In four years of operation, the squadron flew 11,696 missions, dropping 76,389 bombs. The last mission was flown on May 31, 1971. The Canberra is powered by two CAC-built Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 109 engines of 7500 lb thrust. With a span of 64 feet and a length of 65 ft 6 in, the Canberra weighs some 51,000 lb when loaded. Speeds up to Mach 0. 83 can be reached, but cruising speed is Mach 0. 76. The rate of climb at sea level is 3800 ft/min, and the aircraft has a service ceiling of 48,000 feet. A pilot and navigator are carried in B20 aircraft, with two pilots and a navigator in the T21. T21 trainers have no bombing capability.

Role

After returning to Australia from Vietnam, the squadron was re-designated as a Photo-Reconnaissance squadron, based at Amberley. One of the squadron’s important tasks is to support fighter operations at Williamtown and Butterworth, where the Canberras act as a radar target for mock interceptions, or tow target banners for gunnery practice. Two aircraft deployments to Butterworth are made each year, with the exercises coded TUGBUT.

In late 1972, five of the squadron’s Canberras were modified for aerial survey work with the fitment of the Wild RC1O camera. In April 1973, two Canberras deployed to Port Moresby to start the aerial survey of New Guinea – Operation SKAI PIKSA . :. . . :. . . and this task is still continuing. lrian Jaya has also been surveyed by Canberras flying from Biak, under the code name. Operation Cenderwasih. Sumatra and Central . and Northern Australia is also being mapped . by the high-flying Canberras, working in cooperation with the Bendigo-based Australian Army Survey Corps. The Wild RC10 survey camera uses a super-wide-angle lens at high altitudes to give enormous ground coverage. The photos produced are computer-analysed by the Survey Corps and provide high-quality maps in two years. Previously, such maps have taken a minimum of seven years to produce.

The venerable Canberra is soon to be replaced by a smaller executive-type jet, fitted with the appropriate camera equipment. There is no doubt that Canberra has been an unqualified success, and this beautiful aircraft will always be remembered with affection as “the old lady”.