| RAAF.Serial. | Type | Aircraft History |
| A84-1 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 08/05/51 c/n 71015 (one of 631 built by
English Electric Co. at Preston). Allocated RAF serial WD935. Seventh production B.2. Delivered to Vickers
Armstrong's Guided Weapons Division test section 08/08/51. It was selected to be the missile launch
platform for the Red Dean missile trials. RAAF Serial A84-1 allocated 27/11/51 pending aircraft being loaned
to Weapons Reasearch Establishment (WRE) for trails on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defense. RAAF crew
Geoff Tuck & Geoff Wilson did a training flight on this at Hurn 5/12/51 prior to delivering A84-2 to Australia.
Modified to carry missiles under wings. Conversion completed 10/53 with first test flight with missiles 01/54.
On 21/09/55 it suffered brake failure after landing at Wisley airfield and ended up damaged in a field. WD935
remained in the UK and the A84-1 serial was not applied.. Served with RAF untill going into store at St Athan
23/11/71. Allocated Instructional Airframe serial 8440M in 1976. Sold at auction in 09/89. Scrapped
23/11/89. Nose section on display at the South Yorkshire Aviation Museum Aeroventure Park, Doncaster, UK. |
| A84-2 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 29/05/51 c/n 71024., Allocated RAF serial WD942. Delivered to Vickers Armstrong 28/09/51. Aircraft loaned to WRE for trials on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence and allocated RAAF serial A84-2. Geoff Tuck & Geoff Wilson ferried this aircraft from Hurn to Laverton 12/03/52. Flight time to Darwin was a record 20hr 20 mins & to Laverton in 24.20. Average ground speed 450 knots. Geoff Wilson adds "My logbook continually referred to A84-2 but I am pretty sure it carried only the WD942 number. I recall I used callsign MP-RGD on the flight home. Comms were a lot of fun - several times we arrived before the departure signal was received and Bombay would not accept that we were cruising at 48000ft or that we had a groundspeed of 450-500 knots! They reckoned my Morse Code was in error! Jets were very rare over India in 1952. The Indonesians were unbelieving also." The starboard tiptank nose was crumpled by a bird strike in the Laverton circuit area. In 05/52 the aircraft was taken to Woomera to commence the Blue Boar TV Guided Bomb trials. It may have worn its RAAF serial during this time. During 10/53 it lent an nose wheel oleo to Canberra A84-201 which was competing in the London to Christchurch Air Race. In 03/55 it was modified for proposed use in the flight trial program of the Red Dean air to air missile. However in early 1956 the Red Dean missile was cancelled and the aircraft was returned to its standard configuration. It was returned to Air Ministry charge 06/12/56 and reverted to its RAF serial WD942. It remained in Australia and was held on a custodial basis at DAP Parafield from 21/12/56 to 21/01/57. It was loaned to DeHavilland's at No.12 Joint Services Trials Unit at Woomera until it was returned to the UK 03/10/57. Went to the MoS Air Weapons Research Establishment at Shoeburyness 16/04/62. Believed destroyed on the weapons range. |
| A84-3 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 27/02/53 c/n 71179. Allocated RAF serial
WH710. Aircraft loaned to WRE arriving at Woomera on 02/06/53. Allocated A84-3 on 13/06/53.
Not known if RAAF Serial was applied. It was returned to RAF 07/58. This aircraft was later converted to a U.10 drone and returned to Australia.(see below). |
| A84-125 | B.2 Mk.21 | Built by English Electric c/n 71053. Diverted off RAF
contract (serial WD983). Allocated to RAAF 16/03/51.This aircraft was flown from the UK by either
SQNLDR Peter Raw & FLGOFF Bill Kerr or SQNLDR P Fisher and FLTLT J Sharp (conflicting reports)
05/52. From 05/53 it was used by No.1 Long Range Flight at Laverton in the preparations for the entries
in the 10/53 England to New Zealand Air Race. It was later converted by GAF to Mk.21 trainer configuration,
first flight 09/02/59, re-delivered 10/06/59. Entered RAAF Amberley restoration hangar 01/03.
Was held for the proposed but stillborn NASMA. On static display Amberley Airshow 10/04 Currently at RAAF Amberley, Qld. |
| A84-201 | Mk.20 Mk.21 | First Australian built GAF Canberra. First flight was
on 29/5/53, piloted by John Mills.Fitted with Avon Mk.1 RA.3 engines. Aircraft equivalent to RAF B.2
specification The GAF Canberra Mk.20 is often referred to by the technically incorrect designation B.20. This is from a British based system and the RAAF official documentation refers to the Australian built Canberra bomber as Mark 20 and the trainer conversion Mark 21 (Marks 22 to 24 were also allocated for further GAF produced Canberras but these were not built). Delivered to RAAF 02/07/53. To 1 AD 03/07/53. To No.1 Long Range Flight at Laverton 06/07/53. 3 long range tanks (approx 1350 gallons total) fitted in bomb bays involving removal of bomb doors and tanks conforming to fuselage (Mod C161). Various navigation and radio mods carried out. This aircraft took second place in the London-Christchurch Air-Race which started 08/10/53. Race no.5. Radio callsign VMZIPA The crew were aircraft captain; SQNLDR Peter F Raw DFC, FLTLT Francis Noel Davis and FLTLT W D (Bill) Kerr. The total time for the England to NZ race was 24Hrs 31Mins. Actual flight time was 22 Hrs 27.5 Mins (It finished only 40min 54.7 seconds behind the winner, RAF Canberra PR3 WE139 which had an actual flight time of 22Hrs 25Mins). The total time included a delay of 83 minutes to repair a damaged nosewheel. To 1 AD 06/11/53. To ARDU 25/06/54. To 82 Wing 18/07/54. Engine failed to relight and asymetric landing carried out 28/07/54. Incident 29/07/55 where front fuselage was damaged at Amberley. To GAF Avalon 23/08/55 for mods and repair. To 82 Wing 31/08/55. To GAF 05/56. Converted to prototype Mk.21 Trainer. First flight 17/06/58. Redilivered to 1 AD 04/09/58. To ARDU 22/09/58. To 82 Wing 06/02/59. Issued to East Sale for a period from 29/07/59. To 3 AD 16/10/59. To ARDU 27/10/59. To 3 AD 26/04/61 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 06/09/61. To GAF Avalon 14/12/61 for mods. To 82 Wing 17/08/62. To 3 AD 23/08/66 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 18/11/66. To ARDU 14/04/67. To 82 Wing 01/06/67. To 1 (B)OCU 02/05/68. To 3 AD 20/05/69. To 1 OCU 16/04/70. To 3 AD 13/11/70, E Servicing 04/10/71. To 2 Sqn 02/03/72. To 3 AD 23/10/72, Prototype mods on 13/03/73. To 2 Sqn 10/09/73. To 3 AD 20/12/77 for E servicing. Engines removed around 06/04/82. Display aircraft for Amberley 15/04/82, on display 02/08/82. Struck off 1985 at Amberley. Currently Gate Guard at RAAF Amberley, QLD |
| A84-202 | Mk.20 | First flight 25/08/53. Delivered to RAAF 27/08/53. To 1 LRF 31/08/53. Took part in the London to Christchurch Air-Race in 1953. Same mods as A84-201, aircraft captain; WGCDR D.R. Cuming AFC, FLGOFF R.J. Atkinson and SQNLDR C.H.Harvey. Race No.4. Radio callsign VMZIPB. Was leading but blew a tyre on landing at Cocos Island and was delayed for 2 days. Its actual flying time was 22hrs 23.5 mins. It is quite amazing that all the actual flights times were so close. To 1 AS 06/11/53. To 82 Wing 22/12/53. Crashed at Amberley 16/06/54 while attempting a low slow pass. Killed were FLTLT Francis Noel Davis, PLTOFF F B Adler and FLTLT David Nicholls DFC. Converted to componants 30/07/54 with engines 3031 and 3017. |
| A84-203 | Mk.20 Mk.21 | First flight 19/11/53. Delivered 02/54. Converted Mk.21
trainer. First flight 31/10/58. Re-delivered 11/12/58. Struck off 1985 at Amberley. In RAAF Amberley
restoration hangar for most of 2002. Rolled out 12/02 and is waiting to go to PNG Museum. On static display
Amberley Airshow 10/04. Currently at RAAF Amberley, Qld. |
| A84-204 | Mk.20 Mk.21 | First flight 05/03/54. Delivered to 1 AD 08/07/54 at a
cost of £490,000. To 82 Wing 18/08/54. Served with 2 Sqn. Aircraft entered high speed dive 17/01/55
during limited-panel training. The navigator FLTOFF R. Martin RAF ejected below 5,000 ft 9 nm east of
Stanthorpe, Qld and was killed. The pilot FLGLT J. Stewart recovered aircraft and returned to base.
To ARDU 01/03/55. To 3 AD 02/10/56. To GAF to for conversion to Mk.21. First flight 03/04/59.
Re-delivered to 1 AD 26/05/59. To 82 Wing 21/09/59. To 3 AD 23/08/61 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 07/12/61.
Attached to No 38 Sqn Communication Flight. To GAF Avalon 22/05/62 for Mods. To 82 Wing 11/08/64,
immediate reserve. Out of Reserve 06/10/64. Corrosion treatment 13/07/65 and back to 82 Wing. To 3 AD
20/10/65 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 07/12/65. To 2 Sqn 04/01/66. To 82 Wing 27/05/66. To 2 Sqn 02/06/66.
To Transupflt 09/05/67. To 2 Sqn 14/09/67. To 82 Wing 25/10/67. To Parafield for Mods 09/02/68. To ARDU
29/03/68. To 3 AD 30/07/71 for E Servicing. To ARDU 18/11/71. To 3 AD 03/07/73 to repair fuel tanks and
then back to ARDU. To 3 AD 15/07/74 for mods. To ARDU 06/12/74. To 2 Sqn 06/04/78 for loan and back to
ARDU. To 2 Sqn 02/10/78. To GAF 08/11/78. To 3 AD 07/12/78, E Servicing 04/02/79. To 2 Sqn 12/02/80.
To 3 AD 21/05/82. Served with 38 Sqn Comms Flight at some point. Struck off 1985 at Amberley. Sold 06/85
to Rob Keys. Currently at Rob Keys' place at Meandarra out west of Toowoomba, Qld. |
| A84-205 | Mk.20 Mk.21 | First flight 10/06/54. Delivered to 1 AD 04/08/54. To ARDU 04/08/54. To 1 AD 22/06/56 for mods. To GAF 03/07/57 for modification to Mk.21. First flight 20/11/58. Allocated to 1 AD 08/12/58. Re-delivered 10/02/59. To 3 AD 12/11/59. To 82 Wing 31/08/60. To GAF Avalon 05/03/62 for mods and back to 82 Wing. To 3 AD 08/10/62 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 17/01/63. To ARDU 04/04/63. To Parafield 12/06/65 for repairs. To 82 Wing 08/08/67. To 3 AD 19/09/67 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 10/01/68. To 1 (B)OCU 02/05/68. Crashed and destroyed 23/03/70, Amberley, QLD. Crew; FLTOFF H. Badower (Pilot) & FLTLT J. Siffer (Nav). |
| A84-206 | Mk.20 Mk.21 | First flight 26/07/54. Delivered 13/08/54. Served with 1 OCU Lost control during asymmetric overshoot and crashed at RAAF Amberley 16/02/65 Crew; PLTOFF K. Kluska & FLTLT B. Kercher. Aircraft approved for write off including Avon Mk.1s 3058 and 3023, 17/03/65. |
| A84-207 | Mk.20 | First flight 17/08/54. Delivered 27/08/54. Struck off 27/07/73 at
Amberley. Reported displayed mounted on pylons outside TVW Channel 7 studios in Perth. Was stored at
the West Australian Museum of Aviation at Jandakot Airport, W.A. Departed Perth on M.V. Envoyager bound
for New Zealand 26/03/93. Currently at Wanaka Tansport Museum as gate guard . |
| A84-208 | Mk.20 | First flight 08/09/54. Delivered 15/09/54. Approval for conversion
to instructional airframe for use at fire school Point Cook 08/12/71. Was held at the RAAF Museum Point
Cook since 1992. At one stage rear fuselage filled with rain water and aircraft tipped up with nose in air.
Sold by tender for slightly more than the scrappies were offering. Partially dismantled in 1996 and removed by
road. Currently owned by Ron Schneider at Rupanyup, Vic. |
| A84-209 | Mk..20 | First flight 21/09/54. Delivered 11/54. Placed in storage 12/68.
Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Sold to Hookway Aviation 12/04/72. Noted at Essendon Airport, Vic.
18/05/75 having flown there. One of at least 5 reported to have been allocated registration/callsign VH-PTQ.
Scrapped. Barry Wilson comments: "re A84-209. I flew five Canberras purchased by Peter Hookway from
Amberley to Essendon. Navs were Jim Hanigan (4) and Ron Irwin (1). As I recall, Peter bought 12 aircraft
and got the 5 flying. He donated one or two other aircraft to Amberley as a gate guard and the rest were
knocked
down. I had flown Canberras as an ARDU tp and the ferry flights were on my PPL with the callsign VH-PTQ
allocated to me on a flight-by-flight basis. The Amberley-Essendon trip on a VFR flight plan (max 21,000-ft) on
a PPL was an interesting exercise. Peter was trying to ferry the aircraft to Bolivia but that did not come off.
I understand they ended up in boxes heading to the UK. I am based in India and my logbook is in Oz so
I can't readily give details." Cockpit currently on display Camden Aviation Museum, NSW. |
| A84-210 | Mk.20 | First flight 29/09/54. Delivered 04/11/54. Approved for disposal
19/11/71. Sold 12/04/72 Currently on display Sid Beck Collection, Mareeba, QLD. |
| A84-211 | Mk.20 | First flight 12/11/54. Delivered 07/12/54. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Sold 12/04/72. Scrapped. |
| A84-212 | Mk.20 | First flight 22/11/54. Delivered 08/12/54. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Sold to Hookway Aviation 12/04/72. Noted at Essendon Airport Vic. 18/05/75 having flown there. Had Hookway logo on tail and "Hookway" and maybe "aviation" under covers on nose in mid-blue. One of at least 5 reported to have been allocated registration/callsign VH-PTQ. Scrapped. |
| A84-213 | Mk.20 | First flight 14/12/54. Delivered 23/12/54. Crashed 07/04/65,
Darwin NT. Cat.5 damage. Approved for conversion to componants "in situ" 10/65. Bruce Budd adds "I was an ATC officer on exercise in Darwin at the time with fighters from Williamtown. Although I didn't see the incident, I was on the field some minutes later. The aircraft was taking off on the northerly runway (I don't remember the number) and suffered compressor stalls on at least one engine just before lift off. I think that there was a crosswind component on the runway. It was carrying 4 x 1,000lb live bombs. The pilot aborted the take-off but was unable to stop before the end of the runway. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway wiping out various ILS installations before dropping over a small concrete wall and breaking its fuselage just in front of the bomb bay as it came to a halt. As it did so, at least 2 of the bombs broke loose and came to rest some distance from the aircraft. The crew evacuated the aircraft very quickly, the pilot swearing that he had the nav's bootprint on the top of his helmet. I don't think this was ever substantiated. Fortunately the aircraft didn't burn, the ejection seats didn't fire and the bombs did not explode. However, Darwin was closed for some considerable time while the bombs were disarmed and the runway swept clear of a large quantity of metal shavings from the Canberra's brakes." John Tyrrel, who was a Flight Officer at the time adds " I was the navigator in A84-213 when it crashed on takeoff in Darwin. FLTLT Peter Jones was the pilot. I jettisoned the navigator's hatch - the top half of the compartment - and left that way. Peter left the same way some time later." |
| A84-214 | Mk.20 | First flight 11/01/55. Delivered 21/01/55. To GAF Avalon for strip
testing 20/08/71.(ARL for stress tesing), later scrapped.
|
| A84-215 | Mk.20 | First flight 15/02/55. Delivered 02/03/55. Approved for disposal 12/11/71. Disposed of 12/04/72 at Amberley. Reported to have been destroyed on fire-dump. |
| A84-216 | Mk.20 | First flight15/03/55. Delivered 04/04/55. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Disposed of 12/04/72. One of a number sold to Hookway Aviation. Stored at Essendon Airport Vic. There were reports that the cockpit section was at Dennison but this is more likely to be A84-224. This complete aircraft was trucked to and later scrapped at Morwell, Vic. in 1989. |
| A84-217 | Mk.20 | First flight 04/04/55. Delivered 27/04/55. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Sold to Hookway Aviation 12/04/72. Noted at Essendon Airport, Vic. 18/05/75 having flown there. One of at least 5 reported to have been allocated registration/callsign VH-PTQ. Scrapped 11/71. Another report has it struck off 1985 at Amberley (administrative clean up?) |
| A84-218 | Mk.20 | First flight 25/05/55. Delivered 21/06/55. Approved for disposal
19/11/71. Sold to Hookway Aviation 12/04/72. Noted at Essendon Airport, Vic. 18/05/75 having flown there.
One of at least 5 reported to have been allocated registration/callsign VH-PTQ. Scrapped.
|
| A84-219 | Mk.20 | First flight 22/05/55. Delivered 20/06/55. Approved for disposal
19/11/71. Sold 12/04/72. Struck off 20/09/75 at Amberley. Was at L. Arthur's yard. Moved to Brymaroo with
assistance of Oakey based Army personel Currently mounted on pylons at Alex Campbell Park, Brymaroo Qld. Alex Cambell Park was opened on 28/02/87 and the Canberra was unvielled by Group Captain Arthur Barnes DFC. (The park stands as a memorial to Heavy Bombardment Field No.1 established 1943 and covering 862 acres. No.99 Sqn RAAF and No.15 Sqn USAAF operated Liberators from there as part of the "Brisbane Line of Defence") |
| A84-220 | Mk.20 | First flight 12/07/55. Delivered 03/08/55. Status card shows approved for disposal on 19/11/71 and sold on 12/04/72. Reports that it was destroyed during Karinga Trials, Woomera SA 08/82 seem unlikely. Struck off 1985 at Amberley (administrative clean up?) |
| A84-221 | Mk.20 | First flight 12/08/55. Delivered 30/08/55. Recieved 1AD 02/09/55. Took part in flight of 5 Canberras on good-will trip to USA 13/05/56 to 06/06/56. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Disposed of 12/04/72. Some have reported it as destroyed by the Karinga Bomb Trials in 1986 but I dont believe this. Status card shows sale on 12/04/1972 and the aircraft was also reported as being scrapped at Morwell, Vic. in 1989 making it one of those sold to Hookway Aviation. |
| A84-222 | Mk.20 | First flight 16/08/55. Delivered 01/09/55. Approved for disposal
19/11/71. Disposed of 12/04/72.To Hookway Aviation. Stored at Essendon Airport, Vic. Trucked to Morwell,
Vic. and scrapped in 1989. Nose/cockpit section purchased by Mr David Wheatland from the scrappie.
Moorabbin Air Museum later purchased this from Mr Wheatland and it was transported to the museum
arriving on 09/09/95. Cockpit of A84-222 now under restoration in Traralgon |
| A84-223 | Mk.20 | First flight 07/09/55. Delivered 06/10/55. Its recorded cost was
£490,000. The aircraft was allocated to 82 Wing, based at Amberley, Queensland. In 1956, while part
of 6 Squadron, the aircraft was one of a flight of three involved in carrying the Olympic flame for the Melbourne
Games. The 1956 Olympics were the first to involve air transport of the flame, using Davey miner's safety lamps
that enable the flame to be carried on the aircraft. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Sold 12/04/72. In civilian
hands, the aircraft was located at the Chewing Gum Field Museum in Queensland and then at Luskintyre in
NSW. The Temora Aviation Museum acquired the aircraft in 1998 with a view to a return to airworthiness
however after an inspection of the aircraft it was decided that it was uneconomical to proceed. Ex RAF
Canberra TT.18 WJ680 was acquired instead (and is now painted as A84-234). Vietnam era camouflage
scheme replaced with overall silver scheme in late 2002. Currently displayed as gate guard at Temora Aviation Museum, NSW |
| A84-224 | B.20 | First flight 19/10/55. Aircraft grounded 09/12/55 as a precaution due
to faulty material discovered in portion of mainplane. Delivered 24/04/56. Took part in flight of 5 Canberras on
good-will trip to USA 13/05/56 to 06/06/56. Its final days in service saw an orange band painted around the
fuselage just aft of the rear of the nose-wheel doors to signify a 2g limit to be placed on airframe. A
"G-Limitation" placard was painted just forward of the crew entry door on the starboard front fuselage.
Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Disposed of 12/04/72 to Hookway Aviation. Stored at Essendon Airport,
Vic.Trucked to Morwell and scrapped in 1989. Cockpit section lives on at Dennison.Vic. |
| A84-225 | Mk.20 | Scheduled first flight 07/10/55, abandonded. First flight 11/10/55.
Aircraft grounded 09/12/55 as a precaution due to faulty material discovered in portion of mainplane.
Recieved
05/05/56 1AD ex GAF. Fitted with two CAC built Avon Mk. 1 Engines (Serials CAC 26 and CAC 27).
Took part
in flight of 5 Canberras on good-will trip to USA 13/05/56 to 06/06/56. Established Perth - Brisbane Record of 3
Hours, 20 Minutes and 5 seconds 01/08/56. Fitted with two CAC built Avon RA22 Mk.101 engines
(serial no.s RR387 and RR741) on 10/07/59 for tests. Repaced with Avon Mk.1s again on 01/02/61.
Painted in camouflage 06/11/64. Fitted with target towing equipment 27/01/70. Final flight 19/11/70
(crack found in wing spar during routine ultrasonic inspections 17/12/70). Aircraft removed from flight duty with
3395 hours and 15 minutes flight time. It had also completed 636 landings. Struck off 27/07/73 at Amberley.
Its final days in service saw orange bands painted around the fuselage just aft of the rear of the nose-wheel
doors and to the rear of the wing. These may be to signify a 2g limit placed on airframe (as on A84-224) or
may have been added due its target towing usage. Sold to Queensland branch of the Aviation Historical
Society of Australia for $1360.00 21/11/73. Moved to Kuraby Qld. 13/02/74. Moved to Lower Nudgee Qld.
15/05/77. Moved to Brisbane Airport 09/04/80. Moved to Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra, Qld. 13/06/86.
Repainted in No.1 Sqn colours 10/86.
Currently on display Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra, Qld. |
| A84-226 | Mk.20 | First flight 28/10/55. Aircraft grounded 09/12/55 as a precaution
due to faulty material discovered in portion of mainplane. Delivered 24/04/56 1AD ex GAF. Took part in flight
of 5 Canberras on good-will trip to USA 13/05/56 to 06/06/56. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. On 23/12/71
HQSC advised aircraft to be flown to full limit of 25 hours extension prior to its disposal. On 09/12/71 approval
was given for conversion to training aid for use at RSTT Wagga. Allocated Instructional No.2. Installed Avon
Mark 1s CAC 41 (Instructional No.18) and RR3052 (Instructional No.19). Currently on display within RAAF Forest Hill, Wagga Wagga. NSW. |
| A84-227 | Mk.20 | This aircraft appears to have had a less than glamorous career. Grounded prior to delivery 09/12/55 due to discovery of faulty material in mainplane, after rectification first flight 22/03/56 and finally delivered 27/04/56. Final aircraft built with Avon Mark 1 engines, CAC 31 and RR 3020 installed. Took part in flight of 5 Canberras on good-will trip to USA 13/05/56 to 06/06/56, however on 04/06/56 suffered engine failure on take off at Hickman Airfield, Hawaii and PLTOFF W.R.Raynor made a wheels up landing. Extensively damaged and dismantled for shipping home. Recieved at GAF for major repairs 22/06/56. It appears repairs didn't go well as it was still u/s at 1 AD 03/12/56, returned to GAF, had a survey of repairs 05/57, Returned to 1 AD on 21/09/59 and finally issued to 82 wing on 10/11/59. Went to 3 AD for Cat.B storage 12/11/64. To Parafield for corrosion rectification 09/12/65. Returned to 82 wing 12/03/67. To long term storage 18/12/68. Approved for disposal 19/11/71. Sold to Hookway Aviation 12/04/72. Noted at Essendon Airport, Vic.18/05/75 having flown there. One of at least 5 reported to have been allocated registration/callsign VH-PTQ. Scrapped. |
| A84-228 | Mk.20 | First flight 22/03/56. Delivered 23/04/56. First of the upgraded spec
aircraft (equivalent to RAF B.6 specification) with 7,500 lb thrust Avon Mark 109/RA.7 engines and the
provision for wing leading edge fuel tanks. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter
Wing. Based at Phan Rang Air Base (approx 150 miles north east of Saigon). Arrived 05/67. Crashed 14/03/71
after being hit by two SA-2. Surface to Air Missiles (SAMS). Both Crew; WGCDR (P) F. Downing and FLTLT
(N) A. Pinches ejected near Quang Tri, Vietnam at 14,000 ft and 290 kts, suffering various moderate to serious
injuries and were rescued 27 hours later. RAAF Ejection number 39. A report at the time states " On 14 March 1971 Wg Cdr Downing was flying Canberra Bomber A84-228 with 32334 Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Allen John Pinches when their aircraft was hit by two SA-2. Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). Downing and Pinches were both able to eject out of the aircraft, which had suffered critical damage but were not rescued until 27 hours later. The two Australian airmen were winched to safety by a US Army rescue helicopter and taken to the hospital at Quang Tri as both had sustained injuries on ejection. Wg Cdr Downing had a fractured kneecap and Flt Lt Pinches fractured vertebrae in the lower back. Later, after being transferred to a hospital at Da Nang and then Vung Tau, the two were flown back to Australia for a protracted convalescence." |
| A84-229 | Mk.20 | First flight 22/11/56. Delivered 23/04/57. Served with 2 Squadron
based at Butterworth Malaysia. Noel Fenton reports "When Canberra A84-229 was at ARDU (1959), it was
undergoing trials (deployed to Darwin) relating to the venting to atmosphere of the fuselage fuel tanks.
Unfortunately, the test engineer (we used to call him NASA as at that time, everything NASA did, did not work)
installed the vents incorrectly, ie., the wrong way around. During flight tests, instead of venting to atmosphere,
No3 fuselage fuel tank was pressurised and expanded into the bomb-bay fouling the elevator and rudder
control rods and caused the 'freezing' of control of the elevator and rudder. The pilot (a USAF Major on
exchange to ARDU) landed the aircraft using the electric trim on both control surfaces. As well, the fuselage
also 'expanded' giving what we called a Canberra with an 'area rule' fuselage. It was disassembled in Darwin
and flown to Avalon in a Hercules for major repair and modification after which it was returned to ARDU. As
well, I can recall the testing of the fitting of bomb hangers and supports (for 500 pound iron bombs) on the
wing-tips in lieu of the tip-tanks to 229 in 1966. Initially, there were a few problems relating to stress at the
wing-tip, but these were overcome. The bombs were dropped using the wing-tip fuel tank 'dump' button and
was prior to Canberras being deployed to Vietman. There are many 'photo's of Canberras in Vietnam showing
this fittment." Struck off 1982 at Amberley. 06/82 allocated to RAAF museum in airworthy condition. In exchange for A84-229 Aero Nostalgia provided a Lockheed Ventura for the RAAF museum. Aero Nostalgia was unable to take delivery and it remained at Amberley from 1982 untill 1990 when Steve Picatti purchased it from Aero Nostalgia and ferried it to USA 08/08/90 as N20AN. Now N229CA. Returned to Australia to appear at the 1991 RAAF Richmond airshow, 1992 Avalon International Airshow and perform at the Adelaide Formula One Grand Prix on 05/11/92. Returned to USA during 03/93. Was subject of legal dispute and ownership changed to Tom Leek. Reportedly damaged when it suffered an accidental landing gear retraction whilst parked. Reports of it being grounded by FAA due to unqualified ground crew and maintenance issues. As unable to fly it out, wings and tailplane where removed and the aircraft was removed by road from Boise, Idaho during 1999. During wing removal substantial damage was done to centre section wing mounting bosses . This means 229 may not fly again. Last report has it registered to Jack Stringer of California 28/03/00. Noted in Australian Aviation 11/04 as being parked in the GA area of Redding Airport, California as of 04/08/2004. |
| A84-230 | Mk.20 | First flight 20/12/55. Delivered 27/01/56. Served with 2 Sqn in
Malayan Emergency. Took part in the RAAF's first jet bombing mission 03/09/58. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Based at Phan Rang Air Base. Arrived 16/04/67 after a
2 hour flight from Butterworth, Malaysia. Returned to Darwin 04/06/71. During late 1972 and 1973 it was one
of six Canberras modified for cartographic survey missions with a Wild RC10 camera installed in the forward
end of bomb-bay along with a large circular cutout in bomb bay doors. An NF.2 navigation sight was installed
along with an aerodynamic boot fitted on lower starboard side behind crew door housing the periscope head
of the sight. This was referred to as "Mod 769". Status card shows approval granted for free issue to RAAF Assosiation 26/10/83. Last Flight 07/11/83 from RAAF Base Amberey Qld. to RAAF Base Pearce, Bull Brook W.A. Crew was; Pilot SQNLDR N Williamson, Navigator FLTLT F Delandelles and Maintenance SGT. D Gardner. Wings taken off by members of the RAAF based at Pearce, placed on trucks and transported by road from Bull Brook to Bull Creek on 17/11/83. It was then rebuilt by the same team of men and put on display in the Museum's North Wing. No restoration work has been carried out by the Museum and as far as they know no special work was carried out before its delivery to RAAF Pearce. It was fully airworthy on arrival there. The rear fuselage currently fitted appears to be that off A84-248. Jim Grant of the RAAFA adds "The change of the rear fuselage is a minor mystery as you can see the overpainted numbers 48 behind the numbers 30. However there is no record in the maintenance manuals that this change actually occurred which leaves us with the option of poor record keeping or a mistake during repainting at some time" A rear fuselage marked A84-230 is fitted to A84-248 at Willowbank Qld and this is definitely a different fuselage section as the camouflage paint lines do not align at the fuselage joint. (see images of A84-248). Currently on display RAAF Association Aviation Heritage Museum of WA - Bull Creek. |
| A84-231 | Mk.20 | First flight 30/05/56. Delivered 19/06/56 Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Based at Phan Rang Air Base. Arrived 16/04/67 after a 2
hour flight from Butterworth, Malaysia. Disappeared 03/11/70 in poor weather during a skyspot mission over
South Vietnam. Crew MIA; FLTOFF Michael Herbert (Pilot) & PLTOFF Robert Carver (Nav). After many years
of countless missions without the loss of an aircraft and its crew 2SQN suffered its first loss. Missing after a
night time bombing operation in the Da Nang area, Vietnam. Flying as Magpie 91 the pilot. FLTOFF Herbert,
last reported that he was flying at 22,000ft after just having released his bombs over a target under the
direction of a USAF (not USMC as reported previously) Captain Bill Hanig working from OL-24 (Operating
Location) located at Phu-Bai. His callsign MILKY. Acknowledging a transmission from the controller, releasing
Magpie 91 at 20:22hrs (no heading or direction given to Phan Rang as previous mentioned), the aircraft was
not heard from again. Standard procedure was for aircraft to head east then track south to Phan Rang. With
the co-ordination of the US 3RD Air Rescue and Recovery Group, and despite an intensive 3 day search,
which saw the squadron fly 38 sorties. Neither the wreckage nor the aircrew were ever found. The aircraft had
flown a total of 4193.35 flight hours at the time of its loss.
|
| A84-232 | Mk.20 | First flight 31/05/56. Delivered 09/07/56. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Based at Phan Rang Air Base. Arrived 08/67.
Returned
to Darwin 04/06/71. During late 1972 and 1973 it was one of six Canberras modified for cartographic survey
missions with a Wild RC10 camera installed in the forward end of bomb-bay along with a large circular cutout
in bomb bay doors. An NF.2 navigation sight was installed along with an aerodynamic boot fitted on lower
starboard side behind crew door housing the periscope head of the sight. Issued to GAF for restoration and
display 06/85. Currently gate guard at Avalon Airport Vic. In 09/2006 Marc Chapman sent us this condition report.; "Unfortunately 232 has deteriorated dramatically since the pictures taken in 2004 were posted on this site, I made an extensive inspection of 232 and although largely complete she isnt fairing well, during my inspection I noted the following: Extensive corrosion in tail section of fuselage underneath the tailplane and also rear fuselage has apparently filled with water but has not tipped up due to bracing of rear fuselage. Paint has peeled off the fuselage leaving the skin exposed to the elements. Moss noted growing at many places on the airframe, particulary at the fuselage/wing joint and along the trailing edges of the wings. Rearmost perspex window in Nav's compartment is broken allowing birds to nest in the cockpit. Corrosion evident in main and nosewheel bays, also all tyres except port mainwheel cracked and flat. Birds nesting in port engine bay. Corrosion evident around cockpit area, and perspex has crazed and clouded but thankfully thus far has escaped the attention of vandals (mainly due to the main security post being not more than 50m away methinks) After making my inspection of 232 I talked for a while with the security team and a couple of the workers from the airport and all confirmed that nobody is responsible for maintaining the appearance of 232 and there has been no work done on the aircraft for many years, sadly it seems she is being left to rot." |
| A84-233 | Mk.20 | First flight 18/07/56. Delivered 07/09/56 at a cost of
£490,000. To 1 AD 25/06/57. To 82 Wing 04/11/57. To 3 AD 19/11/57 for mods. To 82 Wing 11/04/58.
To 2 Sqn 02/05/58. Served with 2 Sqn in Malayan Emergency. Took part in the RAAF's first jet bombing
mission 03/09/58. To 82 Wing 13/10/58. To 3 AD 26/05/60 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 22/09/60.To GAF
Avalon 01/05/62 for mods. To 82 Wing 06/12/62. To GAF Avalon 09/10/63 for Corrosion rectification. To 3 AD
30/01/64 for E Servicing. To 82 Wing 07/05/64. To 2 Sqn 11/01/66. To 82 Wing 15/07/66. To Parafield 28/10/66
for mods. To 82 Wing 28/03/67. To 3 AD 16/03/67 for E Servicing. To 2 Sqn 14/07/67. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Based at Phan Rang Air Base. Arrived 09/67. To 478
Maint Sqn 16/03/68 for D Servicing and back to 2 Sqn. To 478 Maint Sqn 08/04/68 for D Servicing and back
to 2 Sqn. To 478 Maint Sqn 12/07/68 for D Servicing and back to 2 Sqn. To 478 Maint Sqn 26/11/68 for D
Servicing and back to 2 Sqn. To 3 AD 13/06/69 for E Servicing. To 1 (B)OCU 22/10/69. To 2 Sqn 05/06/70.
To 478 Maint Sqn 26/08/70 and back to 2 Sqn.To 478 Maint Sqn 08/12/70 and back to 2 Sqn 18/02/71.
To 478 Maint Sqn 25/02/71 and back to 2 Sqn. Returned to Darwin 04/06/71. (Status card shows To
Amberley 13/05/71?) To 3 AD 31/08/71 for repairs. To 2 Sqn 04/02/72. To 3 AD 13/11/72 for E Servicing.
During late 1972 and 1973 it was one of six Canberras modified for cartographic survey missions with a Wild
RC10 camera installed in the forward end of bomb-bay along with a large circular cutout in bomb bay doors.
An NF.2 navigation sight was installed along with an aerodynamic boot fitted on lower starboard side behind
crew door housing the periscope head of the sight.To 2 Sqn 15/08/73. Reported as struck off 27/07/73 at
Amberley, however this is not correct. To 3 AD 13/05/77 for E Servicing. To 2 Sqn 03/10/77. To 3 AD 03/09/80
for long term storage. Free issue to the Central Service Laboratory and Trials Division 11/06/82 for use as a
target for Karinga Lethality trials at Woomera. Destroyed 07/82. Barry Wilson comments: "I was Trials Manager
for the Karinga/CBU-58 cluster bomb trials at Woomera in 1980-82. I had to get actual aircraft for target
damage assessment and originally had a couple of Dakotas. However, aircraft preservation groups prevailed
and they were withdrawn and replaced by two Canberra Mk20. These were located at Evetts Field in two t
arget complexes - one for each munition type - along with many other real military targets.The aircraft were
never destroyed. They were hit many times by sub-munitions and suffered several gaping holes, but were
largely intact. I see mention of 4 or 5 Canberras being destroyed there. My trials finished in 1982 and there
may have been a Phase II later in 1983, but to 1982 only two Canberras were employed. The one ending up
at the Woomera missile park sounds plausible."
|
| A84-234 | Mk.20 | First flight 24/07/56. Delivered 17/09/56 Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 16/04/67 after a 2 hour
flight from Butterworth, Malaysia. On 09/02/71 WNGCDR John Downing and SQNLDR B A Johnson were
providing close air support for troops engaging the enemy. On the last of 5 bombing runs the aircraft was hit in
the nose by shrapnel from one of its own bombs, narrowly missing the crew, partially severing the elevator cable
s and embedding itself in the IFF panel. Their actions that day saw Downing and Johnson awarded the
American DFC ( which suprisingly they never recieved!). On 07/04/71 this time crewed by FLTOFF S Fenton
and PLTOFF Murphy 234 provided close air support to an US Army Infantry company in contact with a large
enemy force. Despite the close proximity of friendly forces and heavy ground fire 6 single drop bombing runs
were made without any US casualties. The enemy suffered 80 lost and retreated. The heroics of these actions
influenced the Temora Aviation Museum's choice of identity for their Canberra. Returned to Australia 05/71.
Reported as struck off 27/07/73 at Amberley but this must be incorrect. During late 1972 and 1973 it was one
of six Canberras modified for cartographic survey missions with a Wild RC10 camera installed in the forward
end of bomb-bay along with a large circular cutout in bomb bay doors. An NF.2 navigation sight was installed
along with an aerodynamic boot fitted on lower starboard side behind crew door housing the periscope head
of the sight. Offered for Tender in 05/84. Purchased by N.Mason 06/85. The front fuselage is located at the
RAAF Museum, Point Cook Vic. The rest of the aircraft turned up at in pieces at Capalaba in 1989, their
current location is unknown. The Canberra registered VH-ZSQ is painted as A84-234 and based at Temora Aviation Museum in NSW and is actually an ex-RAF TT.18 WJ680. |
| A84-235 | Mk.20 | First flight 03/09/56. Delivered 22/10/56. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 05/67. Returned to
Australia 08/70. Struck off 27/07/73 at Amberley. Currently on display at the museum at RAAF Forest Hill, Wagga Wagga, NSW. |
| A84-236 | Mk.20 | First flight 21/09/56. Delivered 30/10/56. Served with 2 Sqn, ARDU,
No.1 Bomber Conversion Unit. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.
Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 16/04/67 after a 2 hour flight from Butterworth, Malaysia. Returned to Darwin
04/06/71. Struck off 27/07/73 at Amberley. Approval given for conversion to an exhibit for RAAF museum
27/07/82. Currently on display at RAAF Museum, Pt. Cook, Vic.in taxiable condition. |
| A84-237 | Mk.20 | First flight 05/10/56. Delivered 09/11/56. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived Phan Rang Air Base16/04/67 after a 2 hour flight from Butterworth, Malaysia. Returned to Australia 03/71. Free issue to Central Service Laboratories and trails division 11/06/82. Dismantled and destroyed as part of Karinga cluster bomb trials at Woomera. |
| A84-238 | Mk.20 | First flight 25/10/56. Delivered 09/11/56. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 07/69. Returned to
Australia 02/71. During late 1972 and 1973 it was one of six Canberras modified for cartographic survey
missions with a Wild RC10 camera installed in the forward end of bomb-bay along with a large circular cutout
in bomb bay doors. An NF.2 navigation sight was installed along with an aerodynamic boot fitted on lower
starboard side behind crew door housing the periscope head of the sight. Held for disposal by 3AD 21/03/82.
Struck off 1985 at Amberley. Sold 06/85 to "South East Asia Museum" but resold 06/86 to Willowbank Caravan
Park. Currently displayed on a pylon at Willowbank, Qld., suffering from the elements, nesting birds and showing signs of vandalism. |
| A84-239 | Mk.20 | First flight 06/12/56. Delivered 04/04/57. Crashed 03/60, Butterworth Malaysia. Ken Jackson adds; "My father was stationed at Butterworth at the time. The one thing I can remember of this crash was Dad saying that the starboard engine was still at absolute screaming full throttle when the aircraft finally came to a stop after the crash. The fuel cut-off switches would not work from the cockpit so the pilots couldn't turn it off! It ran that way for a full 15 minutes or so with the pilots and rescue crews all looking on in disbelief. Finally one of the engine fitters armed with a hacksaw walked onto the wing and opened an inspection hatch and cut through the fuel line of the 'never say die' engine". Converted to componants in situ 06/60 |
| A84-240 | Mk.20 | First flight 10/01/57. Delivered 13/03/57. Served with 2 Sqn in
Malayan Emergency. Took part in the RAAF's first jet bombing mission 03/09/58. To ARDU 09/66. D Servicing
31/07/67 and then to 2 Sqn. To 3 AD 15/11/67 for E Servicing. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF
35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 16/04/67 after a 2 hour flight from Butterworth,
Malaysia. Returned to Australia 06/70. Ended service with 6515 Hours. Free issue to RNZAF 22/08/82 in a
trade involving the aquisition of a Harvard (NZ1034) by the RAAF museum. Flew to NZ in 1984.
Currently on display at the RNZAF museum at Wigram near Christchurch. |
| A84-241 | Mk.20 | First flight 01/04/57. Delivered 17/05/57. Damaged while under tow
on the ground at Laverton VIC.27/08/58. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter
Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 06/68. On 11/07/70 PLTOFF M Birks and PLTOFF A Curr made a
nosewheel up landing at Phan Rang. The U.S. C.O. of the base ordered it be pushed off the runway with a
bulldozer. However 2 sqn C.O., WNGCMD J. Boast, and other squadron personnel stood between the aircraft
and the bulldozer untill it was safely and with out further damage removed from the runway. After temporary
repairs aircraft flown back to Australia for major repairs. Approved for free issue to Central Service Laboratory
and Trials Division 11/06/82. Dismantled and used as target as part of Karinga cluster bomb trials at Woomera.
Survived this fate and has been restored. Currently on display at the Woomera Missile Park, Woomera S.A. |
| A84-242 | Mk.20 | First flight 06/06/57. Delivered 16/08/57. Served with 2 Sqn in
Malayan Emergency. Took part in the RAAF's first jet bombing mission 03/09/58. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam
as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 16/04/67 after a 2 hour flight from
Butterworth, Malaysia. Returned to Darwin 04/06/71. Allocated to Amberley fire section 12/08/86 and used as
a fire training aid, sprayed with foam but not torched. 12/07 now located in Amberley restoration hangar undergoing restoration. Years of being sprayed with fire fighting foam have left a severe amount of corrossion however this is being addressed by the team of volunteers including our own Penders. |
| A84-243 | Mk.20 | First flight 02/08/57. Delivered 09/09/57. Converted to componants
after accident (undercarriage failure) Butterworth, Malaya 08/58.
|
| A84-244 | Mk.20 | First flight 09/09/57. Delivered 15/10/57. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 05/68. Flew last RAAF Canberra bombing mission in Vietnam, flown by FLTOFF David Smith and FLTOFF Peter Murphy (Nav). The last bomb dropped was painted white and the armourers had printed in red the words "76,389th and last bomb compliments to Charlie from RAAF No. 2 Squadron RAAF UC Dai Loi". Murphy was given the honour of flying the squadron's final mission as his 310 Vietnam missions with No. 2 Squadron was the Squadron's highest number of Vietnam missions. Returned to Darwin 04/06/71. Approved for free issue to Central Service Laboratory and Trials Division 11/06/82. Reported as destroyed as target as part of Karinga cluster bomb trials at Woomera. |
| A84-245 | Mk.20 | First flight 16/10/57.Delivered 29/11/57. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang 16/04/67 after a 2 hour flight from
Butterworth, Malaya. Returned to Darwin 04/06/71. During 11/72 it was the first of six Canberras modified for
cartographic survey missions with a Wild RC10 camera installed in the forward end of bomb-bay along with a
large circular cutout in bomb bay doors. An NF.2 navigation sight was installed along with an aerodynamic boot
fitted on lower starboard side behind crew door housing the periscope head of the sight. Free issue to ARL
27/07/83. Currently on display at Fishermans Bend Vic. in the grounds of DSTO site. |
| A84-246 | Mk.20 | First flight 22/11/57. Delivered 17/12/57.Served with 2 Sqn in
Malayan Emergency. Took part in the RAAF's first jet bombing mission 03/09/58. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam
as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 07/67. Returned to Darwin
04/06/71. Initially allocated to Australian War Memorial because it was the highest Vietnam mission tally holder
however because of this hard life it ended up being cut up at RAAF Richmond for a stress analysis and
corrosion audit. Final entry on status card reads "20/08/80 approved for destructive testing and disposal"
|
| A84-247 | Mk.20 | First flight 16/05/58. Delivered 08/08/58. Served with 2 Sqn in
Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air Base 07/67. Returned to
Australia 02/71. Approval for aircraft and installed Avons nos. CAC 416 and CAC 420 to be issued to Australian
War Memorial 19/07/82. Currently in storage dismantled at Treloar Technology Centre ACT and no longer on public view. |
| A84-248 | Mk.20 | Last Australian built Canberra. First flight 02/07/58. Delivered
01/10/58. It was fitted with Orange Putter at Avalon prior to delivery to the RAAF. Orange Putter was a very
smart hostile aircaft tail-warning radar device from the UK. A84-248 then went for trials at ARDU where tests
showed that the weight of the electronics at the extreme rear-end caused control problems and it was r
emoved. Served with 2 Sqn in Vietnam as part of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arrived at Phan Rang Air
Base 06/67. Returned to Australia 03/71. Allocated to RAAF Base East Sale for display on main gate 18/12/86.
This never happened and the aircraft stayed at Amberley. Sold 13/06/91 to Bexgold for $11,012.
Fitted with the rear fuselage off A84-230. Currently located beside A84-238 at Willowbank, Qld. sitting with its nose off the ground, canopy and nose glazing smashed and suffering badly from the elements and at the hands of vandals. |
| A84-307 | B.2 Mk.21 | Built by English Electric c/n 71020. Diverted from RAF
contract (serial WD939). Delivered to RAAF on 01/08/51. (Allocated to be A84-307 back on 07/12/50). The
first Canberra to arrive in Australia (in fact the first jet to fly UK to Australia). It was flown by WGCDR D R
Cuming with FLTLT Col Harvey as navigator on 31/07/51. The flight totalled 10,235 miles (16,487km) and was
covered in a flying time of 21Hrs 41mins giving an avarage speed of 477.62mph (768.63) This was a speed
record at the time albeit unofficial as no FAI observers were present. To 1 AD 31/07/51. Officially delivered
06/08/51. To ARDU 25/08/51. To 82 Wing 04/10/51. Unserviceable 22/11/51, waiting for parts for rudder from
England. To ARDU 19/12/51. Minor repairs required at ARDU 18/09/52. Port engine failed on 07/02/53 at
ARDU. To 1 LRF 19/05/53. Was prepared as the second entry in the 1953 London to Christchurch Air-Race in
case A84-202 was not completed in time. To 1 AD 06/11/53. To 82 Wing 14/12/53. The fuselage was
damaged on 01/07/55, taken to GAF at Avalon 21/07/55 for repairs and modification. Modified to Mk.21
trainer configuration from 15/08/56, first flight 26/09/58, re-delivered on 07/11/58. To 82 Wing 12/12/58. To
3 AD 01/09/61 for E servicing. To 82 Wing 16/04/62. To GAF Avalon 22/05/62 for modification. To 86 Wing
11/07/62 - Served with 38 Sqn Comms Flight. To 82 Wing 19/09/62. To 2 Sqn 02/04/63 and still held 12/06/65.
To Parafield for corrosion repair 11/01/66. To 82 Wing 11/03/66. To 3 AD 05/06/67. To 1(B) OCU 02/05/68. To
3 AD 18/12/68. To 3 AD 03/03/69. To 1 OCU 21/05/69. To 1(B)OCU 24/09/69. To 2 Sqn 30/06/71. To 3 AD
07/03/72 for E servicing and repair. To 2 Sqn 23/10/72. To 3 AD 12/09/73. To 1 CAMD 11/06/83 and converted
to training aid. Was located at No.1 Central Ammunition Store, Kingswood, NSW. Dismantled for removal 10/04, Still at Kingswood 04/05. Purchased by The National Vietnam Veterans Museum and relocated to their museum at Phillip Island Victoria where it is currently on display. The world's oldest surviving Canberra (and will hopefully remain so). |
| A84-501 | T.4 | Built by English Electric 23/09/55. Allocated RAF serial WT491. Fitted with Avon Engines 6967 and 6969. Delivered to RAAF 05/04/56. While enroute from the UK the aircraft used the callsign VM-HEA. It refueled in Pakistan 13/04/56. Arrived 18/04/56. To 82 Wing/6 Sqn 19/04/56. Allocated A84-501 04/05/56. Still with 6 Sqn 10/10/58. 10/10/58 a pilot incorrectly retracted the undercarriage when meaning to alter flap selection, aircraft damaged. To 3 AD 23/04/59 for E Servicing. T o Base Sqn East Sale 07/10/59. To GAF Avalon for modification 22/05/62. Recommended that both T.4's be allocated to Dept of Supply for sale to WRE 04/10/63. The sale to WRE was not successful and as the aircraft were using up valuable storage space at East Sale they were moved to ARDU at Laverton 12/02/64. They were considered for sale to India between 18/03/64 to 21/07/64. Considered for use by ARL for fatigue testing 07/08/64. Issued to Melbourne Lord Mayor on sales advice Note SV50515. Removed from Laverton by 28/11/66. To Portsea Holiday Camp Vic. 11/66, later scrapped. |
| A84-502 | T.4 | Built by English Electric 07/10/55. Allocated RAF serial WT492.
Fitted with Avon Engines RR 6966 and RR 6971. Delivered to RAAF 03/05/56. Arrived 12/05/56 at 82 Wing.
Was at Wagga NSW. Allocated A84-502 on 14/05/56. Online with 82 Wing 28/05/56. Aircraft touched down
short of threshold and was damaged 02/07/58. Forced landing at Amberley 30/09/58, with 6 Sqn. Gradual
brake failure due to hydraulic leak 26/02/59. To 3 AD 04/03/59. To East Sale 21/07/59. To GAF Avalon for
modification 06/11/61. To East Sale 29/11/62. Recommended that both T.4's be allocated to Dept of Supply
(for sale to WRE) 04/10/63. The sale to WRE was not successful and as the aircraft were using up valuable
storage space at East Sale they were moved to ARDU at Laverton 12/02/64. They were considered for sale
to India between 18/03/64 to 21/07/64. Considered for use by ARL for fatigue testing 07/08/64. It was decided
that one of the T4's was required at RSTT Wagga 11/05/66 and approved 13/09/66. To RSTT Wagga Wagga
14/10/66 as an instructional airframe No.1. Only the rear section of the fuselage was required, however the
rest of the aircraft was stored in view of its historical value. It was decided on 06/08/73 that it was not required
by the RAAF Museum. This aircraft could have been located at Point Cook in 1976. Reported as being in
security compound at St Marys munition factory, NSW 11/93. Currently located at the Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown, NSW. Owned by HARS. |
Apart from the above RAAF aircraft there were also the Canberras used by the Weapons Research
Establishment. The WRE was a joint U.K./Australia project based at Salisbury and Woomera and operating
out of Woomera, Mallalla and Evetts Field (40 miles from Woomera township) and flying over the Woomera
ranges. Some 2 dozen RAF Canberras were flown by both the RAF and pilots from 2 Squadron RAAF
operating as No.1 Air Trials Unit, RAAF Evetts Field. RAAF crews flew RAF Canberras
in support of various weapons programs including the Maralinga atomic bomb tests, Operations Buffalo and
Mosaic (again asking the question why was it the Aussies always put in harm's way?) as well as trials of the
Blue Steel missile and the Jindivik target drone. Others were used by DeHavilland Propellers (!) on their Blue
Jay (later Firestreak) missile programme. These aircraft all retained their RAF serials however most were
issued RAAF Aircraft Status Cards.
At the height of the Cold War it is an indication of how serious the
threat to the UK of Soviet nuclear armed bombers was taken that they used relatavely new, expensive and
front-line aircraft as targets in the development of weapons such as the Bloodhound ground to air missile to
counter this threat. Small drones such as Jindivik may not of provided a large enough radar target and certainly
didn't have the endurance and range of the full size Canberra targets. 18 Canberra B.2s were converted by
Short Brothers and Harland in Belfast, Northern Ireland to U.10 pilotless drone status for use on the ranges
at Woomera. The first aircraft was flown in this form on 11/06/57. Seventeen were shot down or crashed and
one (WJ624) remained in the UK and was later upgraded to U.14 status. The type later became designated
D.10, the D for "drone" in place of U for "unmanned" which had become U for "utility". They could be flown
with a pilot aboard who flew it via a supervisory panel installed in the cockpit that, by the use of 13 push
buttons, simulated the inputs transmitted to the aircraft when flown unmanned. When unmanned the aircraft
was controlled via a VHF link from a control van. The aircraft had an explosive abort device on board in case of
emergencies such as loss of contact. The first target flight was in 06/59 and WD961 was destroyed while at
50,000 feet.
| RAF Serial | Type | Aircraft History |
| WD929 | U.10 | This was a historically significant aircraft. It was the first production
Canberra and was officially named as such by the Australian Prime Minister, Bob Menzies at a ceremony at
Biggin Hill on 19/01/51. Built by English Electric c/n 71008. First flight 08/10/50. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WD929 09/10/50. Converted to U.10.15/07/57. Allocated to WRE 19/05/59. Delivered to RAAF 30/05/59 at Edinburgh SA with installed Avon Mk 1 engines 4759 and 319. Destroyed by missile 15/10/59. |
| WD935 | B.2 | Allocated RAAF serial A84-1. For details see above. |
| WD939 | B.2 | Allocated RAAF serial A84-307. For details see above. |
| WD942 | B.2 | Allocated RAAF serial A84-2. For details see above. |
| WD951 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 02/11/51, c/n 71033. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WD951 06/11/51. Converted to U.10. First flight 28/07/58. Delivered to RAAF 26/03/59 at Edinburgh SA with installed Avon Mk 1 engines 404 and 607. Damaged by missile 20/07/59. Approved for write off 13/10/59. |
| WD953 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 23/11/51c/n 71035. Delivered to RAF as WD953 26/11/51. Allocated to RAAF Edingburgh 07/04/55 but never delivered. Perished on fire-dump Bedford UK 1976 |
| WD954 | T.4 | Built by English Electric as a B.2 (13th Production Example.) c/n 71036
. Delivered to RAF 12/12/51. In 1952 it was converted into a T.4 trainer by the fitment of a new nose section.
(The original B.2 nose is preserved in England and is undergoing restoration by Paul Spann) Transferred
18/12/59 to Edinburgh field for continuation training for Weapons Research Establishment program.
Struck off charge 13/12/70. Used as a target during Karinga cluster bomb trails sustaining some bomb damage. The wings were cut off outboard of the engines. To Pearce Dunn's Warbird Aviation Museum, Mildura. To South Australian Aviation Museum. It was initially to be used in the restoration of the museum's B.2 WK165 but in recognition of its historical significance will be restored in its own right. Currently held by SAAM, in storage. |
| WD961 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 21/12/51 c/n 71043. Delivered to RAF as B.2 on 20/01/52 . Converted to U.10. First flight 07/09/58. First U.10 transferred to RAAF 24/11/58. Reported to be VH-HDP but this could be a misquoted callsign of VM-HDP. Shot down by a Bloodhound missile 09/06/59 |
| WD983 | B.2 | Allocated RAAF serial A84-125. For details see above. |
| WD999 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 30/04/52. Delivered to RAF as WD999 02/05/52 . Delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA sometime in 1952 and recorded as held by ARDU trails flight. Returned to UK via Laverton on 08/12/52. Scrapped Halton UK 09/80 |
| WH652 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 31/10/52. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH652. Converted to U.10. First flight 12/12/61. Allocated to WRE 23/02/63. Delivered to RAAF 16/03/62 at Edinburgh SA. Destroyed by missile 12/02/64. Written off 31/03/64 |
| WH700 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 30/01/53. Delivered to RAF. On 09/09/55 it
joined DeHavilland to take part in the Blue Jay air to air missile program. (Blue Jay went into production as the
Firestreak). 16/10/56 it was allocated to No.12 Joint Services Trials Unit at Woomera departing UK 04/02/57.
Used by DeHavilland in Blue Jay missile trials. 12/59 transferred to Red Top / Jindivik trials. 05/02/60 Allocated
as safety aircraft for Blue Steel programme until 01/12/60. Remained at Woomera until struck off charge
13/02/70 RAAF Edinburgh. To Parafield 1982. Used in the movie "Ground Zero" 1986. To Lincoln Nitschke
Collection 1990. Currently displayed at Greenock, South Australia. |
| WH705 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 20/02/53. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH705. Converted to drone, first flight 19/04/62. Delivered to Edinburgh 26/07/62, the last U.10 recieved. Crashed while being flown unmanned 28/04/65. Approved for write off 30/06/65 including installed Avons Nos. 4612 and 4778 |
| WH710 | U.10 | As mentioned above this aircraft served as A84-3 before being returned to the RAF. To Shorts Belfast 22/07/58 for conversion to U.10.First flight 09/08/60.Despatched Belfast 30/09/60 for Edinburgh. Arrived on 17/10/60. Destroyed by a missile at Woomera 26/05/65. Approved for write off 22/06/65 including installed Avons Nos. 223 and 438 |
| WH723 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 30/04/53. Delivered to RAF as WH723. Delivered to RAAF 23/11/55 at Edinburgh SA. On 27/11/56 over Woomera at 45,000 ft and 210 KIAS the starboard engine suffered a compressor stall and flame out. Engine No.6830 installed. Aircraft was issued to English Electric on 27/04/59 and returned to UK. Eventially ended up with RAF maintenance serial 7638M. Served as gate-guard at RAF Upwood, painted as "WJ642" from 04/60 to 05/78 before once again being involved in trials (only as a target I would presume) at AWRE Foulness. Sold for scrap 12/90. |
| WH729 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 28/05/53. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH729. Served in Suez crisis against Egypt in 1956. Converted to U.10, fisrt flight 20/10/59. Delivered to RAAF 02/12/59 at Edinburgh SA. Destroyed by missile 14/04/64. Written off 20/05/64 |
| WH733 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 10/07/53. Delivered to RAF on 16/07/53 as B.2 WH733. Converted to U.10, first flight 30/06/59.Flew to Australia as VM-HDT 18/09/1959. Delivered to RAAF 02/10/59. Crashed on landing after missile strike at Woomera 30/11/59. Written off 29/01/60 (including installed Avons nos. 4725 and 6916) and scrapped. d/d 16/07/1953, |
| WH742 | U.10 | Built by English Electric 14/08/53. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH742.
Served in Suez crisis against Egypt in 1956. Converted to U.10, first flight 11/12/59. Delivered to RAAF
04/01/60 at Edinburgh SA. Destroyed by a missile 17/07/62. Written off 08/08/62 including installed Avons
Nos. 4796 and 4710 Nose reported at RAF Shawbury Fire Station, 1986 |
| WH860 | U.10 | Built by Shorts 30/04/53 (one of 144 built by Short Brothers & Harland at Belfast). Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH860. Served in Suez crisis against Egypt in 1956. Converted to U.10, first flight 10/04/62. Delivered to RAAF 18/04/62 at Edinburgh SA. Destroyed by missile 24/11/64. Written off 15/12/64. Installed Avons Nos. 6842 and 6848 |
| WH885 | U.10 | Built by Shorts 30/12/53. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH885. Converted
to U.10, first flight 10/04/62. Delivered to RAAF 09/06/62 at Edinburgh SA. Crashed 01/04/64. Written off
19/05/64 including Avon No. 4670. Avon No. 4623 disposed of as a spare.
|
| WH962 | B.6 | Built by Shorts 25/02/55. Delivered to RAF as B.6 WH962. During 1953
it belonged to the School of Aviation Medicine based at Farnborough UK . As part of the atomic bomb trails,
it was loaned to ARDU for "Operation Hot Box" where on 14/10/53 it flew through the Maralinga atomic bomb
cloud gathering radiation samples. SOC 29/09/71 and in keeping with its "hot" history ended its days being
used for fire-fighting training at RAF Catterick.
|
| WJ604 | U.10 | Built by Handley Page 31/08/53 (one of 75 built by Handley Page Aircraft at Radlett). Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ604. Served in Suez crisis against Egypt in 1956. Converted to U.10, first flight 20/11/59. Delivered to RAAF 22/12/59 at Edinburgh SA. Crashed 18/02/64 due to control failure. Written off 31/03/64 |
| WJ621 | U.10 | Built by Handley Page 27/02/54. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ621. Converted to U.10, first flight 22/01/60. Delivered to RAAF 10/03/60 at Edinburgh SA. Crashed on approach 17/12/64. Written off 10/02/65. |
| WJ623 | U.10 | Built by Handley Page 21/01/54. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ623. Converted to U.10, first flight 11/03/60. Delivered to RAAF 16/05/60 at Edinburgh SA. Destroyed by missile 12/12/63. Written off 20/01/64 |
| WJ624 | U.10 | Built by Handley Page 31/03/54. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ624. Arrived at Belfast 06/09/55 to be converted to U.10 trials aircraft. Conversion took 21 months and flew again on 11/06/57. Was not sent to Woomera and underwent trials at RAE Bedford and Llandebr, Wales. Later converted to U.14 for Royal Navy. Derelict at Belfast 1964. |
| WJ644 | B.2 | Built by Handley Page 23/09/54. Delivered to MoS as B.2 WJ644 27/09/54. On 16/09/55 it was allocated to WRE. On 18/10/55 it was due to be delivered in Feb or June 1956. RAAF Status Card has no further info. This aircraft had a modified nose cone fitted by Boulton Paul at Delford and at the end of 1954 went to DeHavilland to take part in the Blue Jay missile programme. It did go to No.12 Joint Services Trials Unit at Woomera. for acceptance trial launchings. Later in the decade on 24/06/59 WJ644 became a test firing aircraft for the Red Top missile. Sold to BAC 17/03/65. Dismantled at Samlesbury 1966. Scrapped 12/90 |
| WJ725 | B.2 | Built by English Electric 14/10/53. Delivered to RAF as WJ725. Installed Avons Nos.1088 and 960. To Marshalls at Cambridge 04/06/58 for installation of special parachute assembly to stabilise a man-dummy during free-fall from high altitude. Delivered to RAAF 18/11/58 at Edinburgh SA for flight trials of parachute. Returned to UK 14/06/60. Sold for scrap 07/07/61 |
| WJ978 | B.2 | Built by Avro 17/07/53 (one of 75 built by A.V.Roe & Co at Woodford). Delivered to RAF as WJ978. To DeHavilland Propellors Hatfield for Blue Jay trials 29/03/56. Delivered to RAAF 14/05/57 at Edinburgh SA. To 12JSTU at WRE 30/05/57. Re-allocated to Red Top and Jindevik trials 30/12/59 . Instrument checking and Blue Steel range safety aircraft 05/02/60. Red Top trials 28/04/62. This aircraft suffered a starboard engine flame out on 07/03/58 and was forced to make an emergency landing. The RAAF status card shows a number of engine changes and modifications being carried out. Struck off charge 31/07/62. On 25/02/63 the aircraft was reduced to componants. |
| WJ987 | U.10 | Built by Avro 30/09/53. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ987. Converted to U.10 (second aircraft converted) first flight 04/02/58. Delivered to RAAF 14/03/59 at Edinburgh SA. Shot down by missile 17/10/59. Written off 13/11/59 including installed Avons Nos. 618 and 242. |
| WK107 | U.10 | Built by Avro 22/01/54. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WK107. Served in Suez crisis against Egypt in 1956. To Shorts Belfast 29/09/60 for convertion to U.10, first flight 28/01/62. Delivered to RAAF 24/03/62 at Edinburgh SA. Destroyed by missile17/11/65. Written off 22/12/65 including installed Avons Nos. 870 and 6895. |
| WK110 | U.10 | Built by Avro 29/01/54. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WK110. To Shorts Belfast 19/03/59 for conversion to U.10, first flight 20/04/60. Delivered to RAAF 09/06/60 at Edinburgh SA. Crashed after missile strike 23/11/62. Written off 23/04/63. |
| WK135 | B.2 | Built by Avro 20/08/54. Delivered to RAF as WK135. On 25/08/54 joined DeHavilland on Blue Jay missile programme. Allocated to WRE on 16/09/55. Delivered to RAAF 07/12/56 at No.12 Joint Service Trials Unit Edinburgh SA. Returned to UK 18/11/58. There it was converted by the replacement of the B.2 nose with a "long nose" . This "long nose" kept its Aussie connection when in 1976 it was in turn fitted to WT333 (see below). As a matter of interest the original B.2 cockpit/nose section of this aircraft was fitted to WT327. SOC 27/01/67. To fire dump Pershore. |
| WK165 | B.2 | Built by Avro 28/02/55. Delivered to RAF 02/55. Transferred to
Edinburgh Field 05/03/56. Used for flying radar calibration and ranging tasks out of Woomera. Also used for
airbourne photography of weapons. To No4 JSTU 02/63. Released 01/02/69. Struck off charge at RAAF
Edinburgh 13/02/70. To Ballarat Aviation Museum 09/02/85. Was in open display and suffered from vandalism
and the elements. To South Australian Aviation Museum 06/97. Has undergone major restoration.
Currently on display SAAM, Port Adelaide, SA. |
| WT333 | B(I)8 | Built by English Electric 21/03/56. On 24/05/66, wearing standard RAF camouflage, it was sent to 12 Joint Services Trials Unit at WRE for a series of weapons trials. Recieved at 2ATU 30/05/66. Installed Avons nos. 5903 and 5826. Sent to GAF 28/11/66 for incorporation of modifications. Interestingly the aircraft status card reads "no RAAF funds involved". Believed to have been given an overall white colour scheme whilst in Australia. It was returned by an RAAF crew to the Royal Radar Establishment at Pershore, UK 07/07/69. Alan Stephens (now Dr Alan Stephens, military historian) was the navigator for the flight. In 1976 it was converted to long nose B.6 (mod) configuration with a "long nose" section off WK135 (see above). Allocated the civil registration G-BVXC it is today preserved and soon to be in ground running condition at Bruntingthorpe, UK wearing a distinctive Royal Aircraft Esablishment red, blue and white "raspberry ripple" paint scheme. |
| WT491 | T.4 | Allocated RAAF serial A84-501. For details see above. |
| WT492 | T.4 | Allocated RAAF serial A84-502. For details see above. |
