Classic British Aircraft English Electric Canberra

[@louispetherbridge9754]

Spent a couple of happy years on 13 Sqd in Malta (1973/ 74 ) we had 9's , 7's a a T bird , lovely planes to work on , only the PR 9 had powered flying controls

[@andrewrobinson5837]

Saw one flying last year and cannot believe how well the design has aged. Still looks sleek and beautiful in the air....beautiful aircraft.

[@pjkkerr]

Back when the Tornado was being designed, it was called MRCA for Multi Role Combat Aircraft. The wags at BAe Warton (formerly part of English Electric) would say it really stood for Must Refurbish Canberra Again.

[@jamesdunn3864]

Another rendition of MRCA was "Mother Riley's Cardboard Aeroplane". By way of explanation, let's just say that the MRCA spent rather a long time in the design phase.

[@TheWahyuwirawan]

beautiful and the noise is legendary. still nothing can replace the seniors within its role

[@deang5622]

its, not it's. Override the auto correct.

[@TheWahyuwirawan]

@@deang5622 thank you 😁

[@Bruce-1956]

An amazing period the late 50s, 50s and early 60s Britain was a world leader with jet aircraft, both civilian and military. Someone once told me that the Lightning was so advanced that the technology was still being used in the 1980s in other aircraft.

[@zenzen9131]

The first operational aircraft that I worked on when I finished my apprenticeship in 1972 :)

[@nated4488]

The fact that the Canberra still flying today is a testament to its rugged construction and durability. Like the B-52 built rugged and still in service. In other words if it ain't broke don't fix it. Truly the Canberra. There is one in our Air Force Museum don't know if it's an American one or an English one

[@nated4488]

The Canberra like the B-52 was and still is a great aircraft

[@clive373]

Twice I got a ride in a Canberra. I worked in the met office at Scampton, and a squadron of them were detatched there for a few weeks. I couldn't get a ride in our Vulcans, because I would not have been in an ejection seat, but the Canberra had a 3rd seat. It was amazing!!!

[@alexhayden2303]

It LOOKS Right! And Boy! Can it fly! Most exiting trip I ever had (A 'jolly' in the early '50's.)

[@rogerswaine9719]

I remember seeing these flying in N Yorks as a kid - I think mainly as targets during NATO exercises. I was amazed for an elderly turbojet how quiet and graceful it was. One of my faves - not quite the noisy hooligan of the younger Tornado.

[@michaelgillett5477]

It’s funny when the British put their mind to it and the accountants keep their nose out of it. The British can still build an absolutely beautiful aircraft. Just wish we could do that attitude today in this country long live beautiful aircraft michael

[@nickconquest5527]

Beautifully engineered, rather than beautiful IMO but I agree with your sentiment. I wish we had the right attitude today for much else besides aircraft.

[@johnpilley8152]

too right!

[@newton18311]

The Government is to busy selling off everything to foreign Country's,

[@AlfieDoug]

I spent a few hours down the well of that PR9 going round the compass calibration ring at Wyton, also went to Fiji with the squadron, good times 😊

[@kotobus]

Breathtakingly beautiful

[@mikef.1000]

Absolutely legendary aircraft.

[@trevorhart545]

MORE than the Supermarine Spitfire.

[@declanbrady5172]

Beautiful aircraft. I remember seeing these at airshows when I was a kid, alongside Buccaneers, Lightnings, phantoms, jaguars, harriers and Tornados etc. i.e the days when we actually had a decent sized and capable airforce, unlike the skeleton airforce we have now

[@kevinhoughton9134]

My sentiments exactly, said this on more than one occasion.

[@johnstaring3210]

First time I saw a Canberra (1969) was on the runway at Port Moresby airfield in what was then still TPNG, now just New Guinea, and I thought they had experienced a blow up on the apron but which proved to be the explosion of the cartridge used to start the engines.

[@allgood6760]

Thanks for this we operated Canberra planes with our RNZAF 👍🇳🇿✈️

[@tonyv8925]

When I was a kid our local airbase had a squadron of RB-57's. I used to love watching flight ops on the weekends. We did lose a couple of aircraft due to accidents, one with loss of crew and the other non-repairable condition...slid off the runway due to ice, split the airframe in two. A couple years later the mission was cancelled and all aircraft were sent away. I sure miss seeing those birds flying over our house every day.

[@andrewnoonan4044]

NASA still flies the WB-57

[@sadiqmohamed681]

@@andrewnoonan4044 You beat me to it! If you watch the Space X manned Dragon capsule return, the have one following it down. Quite amazing pictures. Martin built them under license and continued developing it with new engines and wings.

[@andrewnoonan4044]

And one of the NASA birds was recovered from the Arizona Boneyard (AMARG) and rebuilt to flying condition.

[@moonbaby6134]

Was at Wyton in 91 when Station Commander McKendrick went in. A sad day on the Ton.

[@philipketchell8369]

I remember these at RAF Wyton when my dad was stationed there in the late 60s.

[@MrKapeji]

Spent 5 months at Wyton 1971 with the camera fitting crew (as opposed to the "factory") waiting for my trade training at Cosford, Naafi Joe would drive an ancient wagon out with food supplies. Exciting times, also, US Phantoms passing overhead on approach to Alconbury were a regular feature.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

I moved onto 100 sqn, Tatty Ton, at RAF Finningly in 92. Although the Sqn had recently moved to Hawks from Canberra, most of the guys had worked on them.

[@mercsport]

The last time I saw a Canberra in action was an age ago in the 80s, majestically doing low and slow passes over my house, criss-crossing Saddleworth Moor looking for evidence within the moor's mantle of peat looking for one of the undiscovered victims of the 60s 'Moors Murderers', Brady and Hindley, that they'd confessed to. To no avail I believe. And later when on a last tour of Avro's Chadderton factory, wherein Roy Chadwick designed the Lancaster and Vulcan, I cheekily rootled through some, supposedly empty filing cabinets in its vast drawing rooms empty of its drafting tables, I chanced upon a trove of original blueprints for the English Electric canberra. I recall being surprised to find out that a lot of its tail empennage was made of wood. I thought the Canberra to be a beautiful aeroplane.

[@DaveSCameron]

Respect. 👍 ☘️

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

I used to drive past RAF Wyton often, and occasionally see a Canberra landing or taking off. Amazing to think they lasted so long and a testament to the old British design and engineering

[@swanseajaffa]

I was stationed at Wyton in the 70's and I remember the squadron flying these, I loved them, a beautiful aircraft.

[@marktimmerman7857]

Many an RAAF Canberra was retired and put to museum pces. Even back in 82 when the Canberra was put out on the ramps snuck some photos of the bird's retired but the only Canberra we have in Australia is an ex-RAF machine painted in Aussie markings.

[@sensumcommunem4364]

Beautiful plane.

[@mothmagic1]

The USAF was upset when flying a Martin RB 57 at what they said was it's maximum altitude only to be sent a photo of it taken from 10000 feet above by an unmodified Canberra. We told them there was no need for the extended wing but they wouldn't listen.

[@usernamesreprise4068]

The only thing the RB57's have that I think we could have made use of but sadly didnt is the centerline double length bubble canopy, at least the nav wouldnt have gotten icy feet lol.

[@stanleybuchan4610]

As usual, the Yanks think they know best. Seriously, they don't listen to anyone but fellow Americans.

[@edibertosilvasantiag]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrewbrown6786]

I’m assuming this has all been presented with the permission of @RAF_Luton 🤷‍♂️

[@tonywise198]

From an armourers point of view, bombing up was a nightmare. The min wheels had to be jacked up to get the bombs on the bomb trolley under the bomb-bay. I understood they originally envisaged pits!

[@wafudave6041]

Thought it was the nose wheel.

[@Hughes500]

"Taken from 40 miles away"Or 64 kms for us Aussies. Remarkable!!!

[@achitophel5852]

There was one at Hurn (Bournemouth) in the 1970/80s - yellow/black underside - target towing I suspect? Many Australian bases used to have one at the gate

[@priceyA320]

One of the few aircraft the Yanks improved. B-57 with both crew under centre-line canopy a big improvement.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

Harry Enfield doing the voiceover 😮 I keep expecting him to say "Mr. Cholmondley-Warner".

[@rudijoris9555]

Great video! But I really feel for the Navigator. Could not imagine sitting in that position with my knees up like the for any longer then 39 minutes if that !! Lol

[@alanwood4968]

I was about five when the test pilot flew over our houses very low and crashed in a field about six fields away. I exploded and the pilot and navigator where killed. Part of one engine where found in the canal us kids ran to the field for souvenir bits, but we had to return them. 74 years ago and we heard he stayed in the plane to avoid schools and houses.. it flew behind hazlem park and the opposite side of the canal. Last time i was there it is all built up except the humpty bridge for cattle and horses.

[@overbank56]

It's wonderful that it's still useful & still flying

[@chrispack3131]

The Canberra has been retired now. I served with 39 PRU SQDN at RAF Wyton & the Squadron was disbanded in 2006 I believe.

[@wings9925]

It's an old film. They were retired over a decade ago now; almost 2 decades. Still a beautiful aircraft though and I gone there are several flying, in the hands of collectors

[@Rorywizz]

Pretty sure some still fly for Nasa

[@Sterlingjob]

@@wings9925I don’t think any are flying. The ex RAF one was flying for a bit and another one was going to be flying with the Vulcan company

[@jirihamersky6152]

Beautiful plane, thanks.

[@davidwhite9159]

Before the Tornado was officially named it was referred to as the MRCA, ie Multi Role Combat Aircraft however many people I knew in the RAF & MoD said MRCA meant Must Refurbish Canberras Again! I was once lucky enough to be in a BAe hanger where one was going through refurbishment and stripped down - it was such an impressive sight.

[@mrbharathkiran.1508]

Nice video

[@petergracemeguide1280]

I was told tge Canberra was one of the first radio controlled air craft . And carried. Marralinga atomic testing bombs in Australia. I always stop and pay tribute to the one on display at woomera rocket park next to a gloster meteor.

[@JBofBrisbane]

There have been radio controlled aircraft since the 1930s. Canberras might have carried the bomb components to Maralinga for assembly. The only air drop was the Kite test in Operation Buffalo, where a Blue Danube device was dropped from a Vickers Valiant. Canberras were used for bomb cloud sampling, but these had crews on board.

[@petergracemeguide1280]

@@JBofBrisbane there is a film or documentary on them testing the radio controlled Canberra s.. It didn't appear to be that successful . They planned to fly them into the clouds and other simulation s. It was an interesting film

[@dynastyflier]

Never I thought that navigator would be sitting close to the nose of the plane… interesting layout…

[@guaporeturns9472]

Beautiful

[@Hokunin]

UK always built unusual freak looking tech, very interesting though

[@indridcold2872]

Harry Enfield's narration makes this vid funny.

[@JackSmith-hx8zh]

Is that Harry Enfield narrating this piece?

[@daystatesniper01]

Gotta love the Marrow

[@jamesdunn3864]

I understand that those curiously lengthy engine nacelles were to cater for piston engines. Any truth in this supposition?

[@colinbirks5403]

Served on 249 squadron in Cyprus 1963 -65. And they still kept upgrading? Wow. Aircraft electrician who used to hate, having to replace the 100A inverter. Double joints needed. Oh, and having to replace the canopy and hatch detonators in tropical climes. Lose half a stone in sweat.

[@yolamontalvan9502]

They’re still in use in South America.

[@senianns9522]

The Americans bought these for service during the Vietnam war! They don't shout about much it as they had NO suitably sized aircraft for that operational role in the USAF. They played around with cockpit changes and settled on a 'side by side' pilot seating arrangement. The plane performed well. I hope the UK made some good money out of the sales!

[@JBofBrisbane]

The Martin B-57 was essentially a Canberra with a tandem in-line cockpit under a blister canopy.

[@socaljarhead7670]

In American service, the Canberra did absolutely everything that was asked of it.

[@senianns9522]

Sorry: It was an in line canopy NOT side by side!@@JBofBrisbane

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Amazing! :)

[@alexstewart9068]

NASA is still using this plane.

[@mikesimmonds1916]

Built a U2 before they built the u2

[@MrFIZZYMann]

Is That Harry Enfield Speaking ? I Think This Program was Made 20 ~ 25 Years Ago.

[@FuriousFire898]

It was before 2006 if you heard

[@leehill9922]

NASA still flying WB-57 as high altitude spotter planes for rocket launches.

[@GrimReaper-wz9me]

Now THIS a/c has WINGS! I don't know the service ceiling of the WB-57F, but 60,000' seems reasonable? Thank You.

[@jetset7772]

IS HARRY ENFIELD THE NARRATOR

[@MatthewMakesAU]

Yes

[@jetset7772]

I thought so@@MatthewMakesAU

[@TheSort3r]

Is the narator Harry Enfield?

[@brianwillson9567]

The cranberry ,a true classic. No doubt about that at all.

[@shanebailey9128]

Go back to Kokomo, smart ass!

[@FinsburyPhil]

There was no replacement and there still isn't. However, the problem is that you can only operate at altitude over permissive airspace, fine for Afghanistan but not in a direct conflict with Russia or China. Reconnaissance around Ukrainian airspace is all stand-off electronic by AWACS, Rivet Joint, JSTARS etc and Global Hawk.

[@martykarr7058]

I don't know, I bet it could go in at tree-top level the way the Mosquito did in WWII.

[@jackaubrey8614]

There are well-documented instances of PR9's overflying much of Russia after the U2 was withdrawn due to the Gary Powers shoot-down. Couldn't happen now of course due to advances in missile and sensor technology, but at the time it was the only available asset that could replace the U2 - and it did!

[@goofynose2520]

Well, satellite imagery is extremely detailed now - so not sure why you'd want to fly a plane over the enemy

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@goofynose2520 Shifting satellites in orbit to cover a particular piece of terrain takes time - aircraft based reconnaissance is faster to react and execute. You might also want time-on-target to be very specific to cover a particular event.

[@martykarr7058]

@@goofynose2520 Because most satellites travel in a pre-detemined orbit, and changing that orbit requires time and shortens the effective life of a satellite. As such something could be hidden during an orbital pass or the situation might require reconnaissance faster than a satellite can be retasked.

[@sigbauer9782]

Comical: one guy says that this thing is so fast that it has embarrassed other planes trying to overtake it. But 5 seconds later, we learn that the top speed is 450 knots. So the question is: what were those "other aircraft"...172s?

[@JackSmith-hx8zh]

They said that it can get to 550 knots at full throttle.

[@markmullins1967]

God we made some beautiful capable planes once

[@TheMongex]

1:28 Argentine Air Force Canberra

[@socaljarhead7670]

Perhaps the only fault the aircraft had was engine out performance on takeoff which would very likely prove fatal.

[@kingdavewoody]

Is this narrated by Harry Enfield?

[@television1066]

It is indeed,

[@mikecawood]

The Canberras were retired from the RAF years ago!

[@flybobbie1449]

As was this video!

[@newton18311]

NASA still use one today 2023.

[@FuriousFire898]

Watch before you chat bruv 10:36

[@phifflon]

The smell of AVPIN

[@Britlurker]

Harry Enfield v/o?

[@television1066]

Well spotted, yes it is.

[@erikerice9068]

Glad they're not claustrophobic

[@hectorkeezy1633]

Why retire such an effective platform .Gormless.

[@mothmagic1]

But that's what the politicians do

[@georgebarnes8163]

they were not retired from the RAF until 2006, that is almost 60 years of service, nothing to turn your nose up at.

[@Twirlyhead]

Like my old Volvo which is getting to that point: most of the parts are not made anymore, stocks are used up and used parts (always hit and miss anyway) are drying up too. The need for one of these to be tip top is greater than for my Volvo.

[@sandemike]

Sattelites.

[@DigBipper188]

1: Satellites produce a stupidly high detail image 2: Its other intended use as a bomber is massively superseded by the Boeing B-52, which is and will remain in service with our allies in the USAF until 2040. It is sad though because there aren't really any English aircraft manufacturers knocking about nowadays. the only one that springs to mind is BAE Systems who produce the Eurofighter typhoon.

[@bearmegmoo]

My uncle flew Canberra bomber in Vietnam

[@quietudinal4857]

RAAF? or USAF?

[@bearmegmoo]

@@quietudinal4857 RAAF with 2 Squadron , he was squadron leader. He name is Jack Boast

[@petergraves2085]

Two of Australia's MIAs in Vietnam were flying a Canberra. In 1970 two RAAF airmen were declared missing in action in Vietnam. Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver, both of 2 Squadron, RAAF, were believed killed when their Canberra bomber disappeared while flying a night bombing mission in the northern 1 Corps region of South Vietnam. The cause of the disappearance was never determined. Their aging Canberra bomber was flying well above the maximum range of enemy anti-aircraft artillery and there were no known North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile (SAM) launch sites near the flight path. Their remains were eventually found in repatriated in 2009 - after significant co-operation by the local Vietnamese authorities.

[@bearmegmoo]

@@petergraves2085 My Uncle personally knew both air crews.

[@amsuther]

@@bearmegmoo a Magpie ..!

[@GrumpyOldMan9]

The RAF's take on the 21st Century LOL

[@factfilenews]

Britain was as good as USA back then😢

[@59patrickw]

Air defence exercise off portland bill when in the RN

[@DaveSCameron]

Zeiss equipment, it is a little ironic. 👍

[@alanfaulkner6329]

Green leader to Lusaka tower,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@LessAiredvanU]

The Russian military word for a spy plane is "Canberra".

[@moonbaby6134]

Seeing Steve Innes with no hair and talking with a plum in his mouth.. very strange.

[@PenDragonsPig]

Fudging lovely old thing. They killed off the Canberra, killed off the Nimrod, killed off the Tornado, and killed off the Harrier (still used by Italy, Spain, and the US Marines)....sad.

[@newton18311]

NASA still use one.

[@sandemike]

Why was it not used in Korea?

[@mandoprince1]

The RAF had a very limited involvement in the Korean war, with no front line squadrons being used. There were two flights of Army Cooperation aircraft, used for artillery spotting and reconnaissance, and three squadrons of flying boats were rotated, a squadron at a time, to Japan to fly maritime and meteorological reconnaissance missions. Apart from this, a number of RAF pilots saw service on secondment to the US and Australian air forces. The Canberra did not enter service with either the US or Australian air forces in time to be used in Korea.

[@wor53lg50]

Huh?? Yes they did, alot of RAF pilots was on exchange flying sabre's and thunderjets and their own meteors in fact a few was even shot down and killed in the american exchange planes? The RN even had carriers out there with seafires and fury's......thats hardly not getting on the front lines, thats in the shit as much as anybody else..

[@mandoprince1]

@@wor53lg50 Pretty much what I said, "a number of RAF pilots saw service on secondment to the US and Australian air forces". These were the same personnel that you refer to. In fact, taking in all branches of the armed forces, the British military presence was second only to the US!

[@bigpuppy9923]

@@mandoprince1 You're right, the RAAF didn't have Canberra's back in the early 50's. My dad flew Mustangs in the 1st year of the war (77 sqdn) then they were grounded once we lost pilots to the Migs. We had to wait some time to get the Meteors and more time to acquire the Vampire & the Canberra. Dad was Chief Test Pilot at Laverton Air Base in Victoria, Australia for 6 years, with me as a rugrat watching all the goings on at the airfield. A squadron of U2's was even stationed there for a while. Dad flew the Canberra on many long range recon missions over Australia, especially over the Woomera Rocket site. One time they were on a high level run and the oxygen system malfunctioned. Both Dad & the Nav fell asleep. Something eventually woke him up & he descended to a breathable altitude. They used to hold air races - and dad had a habit of winning in the Canberra.

[@sandemike]

@@wor53lg50 I know all about the Navy planes but which comic did you get the rest of your Information from?

[@velcroman11]

It’s not a Canbrara. It is pronounced Can-ber-ra. What a shock! It is spelt the way it is pronounced.

[@petergraves2085]

Sorry - it's pronounced "Can - bra" - like the capital of Australia.

[@JBofBrisbane]

*CAN-b'rra.

[@derekacopeland]

harry enfield

[@family-accountemail9111]

I keep on thinking he's going to say "women know your place"

[@olliefoxx7165]

Lol. I thought the same thing!

[@winstonpoplin]

Why is it called "electric" when it has jet engines?

[@HALLish-jl5mo]

English Electric was the manufacturer. They started out making electric components, before branching out into… everything really. Including military aircraft. They just never changed the name.

[@pigpilot7275]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Electric en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_CF6

[@lufasumafalu5069]

what a useless jet , hundreds shot down by vietnamese heroes

[@timstradling7764]

Uninformed gibberish!

[@flybobbie1449]

I think quite a few lost, but there you are, war.

[@lufasumafalu5069]

@@flybobbie1449 lots of them infact overpriced crap shot down by the NVA in ho chi minh trail

[@lufasumafalu5069]

@@timstradling7764 cope hard lol

[@petergraves2085]

Total and complete rubbish - of the first order.

[@namewitheld]

In service for 75+ years and you still can't fix the heat.