RAAF Canberra Bomber in the Early 60s | Navigator Bob Howe

Retired Wing Commander Bob Howe talks about his early days in the RAAF and introduction to the Canberra bomber prior to his tour of Vietnam as a nav/bomb-aimer in the classic aircraft.
Learn More: Dreadful Lady over the Mekong Delta - RAAF Canberras in the Vietnam War by Bob Howe amzn.to/42v8Qcm
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[@llywnogmawr5853]

As an aircraft engineer I was fortunate to work on these amazing a/c. Sturdy airframes reliable engines, and were seen as durable adaptable workhorses. However much respect for the aircrew, small cramped cockpit not much comfort,long missions,which required a high degree of skill. Thanks Bob.

[@davidryall-flanders6353]

My condolences on the recent loss of your wife. Thankyou for your service and your story. I've just discovered this channel so I'm looking forward to catching up and following along.. Cheers.

[@MrLotuseleven]

G'day Bob! I knew you'd made it into the RAAF but otherwise not another word of you since CHS. Quite by chance that I came across this clip in the YT side bar after watching something altogether different! The long arm of coincidence. I/m glad to see that the eye problem , a tennis or squash ball, wasn't it? didn't restrict your RAAF entry . Cheers, John Partridge

[@glenstod]

What an amazing career you have had. Hats off to you kind sir

[@jimallison2827]

My late dad was posted to Amberley in the 1960s and we left in late '68 for Richmond. I have always loved the Canberra, which often flew over Leichhardt Primary School. Sadly, one crashed on Hansen's farm on a training run with the loss of those brave airmen, so respect to them and their friends, and descendants. From a now old man who remembers.

[@oldieman730]

I saw the Canberra Trainer have it's engine failure over Leichardt suburb, then spin out of control into the distance followed by a loud boom and then smoke appeared above the tree line. My Dad was stationed at Amberley then as an engine and airframe fitter, and was rounded up with everyone else to go clean up the site..it wasn't a nice detail from what Dad said to Mum. I was at Leichardt school for grades 3 and 4, before Dad was posted again.

[@jimallison2827]

@oldieman730 Greetings, I was there from 64 to 66, then Brassal High, so I might have been in grade 5 or 6, but I have a sister's a year younger who you may know. When I was in class, I was more interested in Canberra bombers and army soiux helicopters than anything else, especially the Canberras that were very close. My dad was in 3AD as a surface finisher and 16 Army Light Aircraft before they became the Army 1st Aviation Regiment in July 1967. We had a scout camp on Hansen's farm near the crash site, very sad. Do you remember Principal Gordon and teachers Boff, McDermott, McManus, Lloyd, and Cunningham?

[@oldieman730]

@@jimallison2827 Names are long forgotten now. I crawled around inside a Canberra once pretending to fly and release bombs, sat in a Saber cockpit, pined for the arrival of the F-111. Saw the first one land in the late 60's.. fell in love with it.

[@bigpuppy9923]

Always interesting to hear stories about the RAAF. I grew up on Air Bases - as dad was one of the top Test Pilots back then. When we got the Vampire, the Canberra & the Sabre, dad was up there pushing them to their limits. He used to fly the Canberra at all the air shows & if there was an Air Race - he'd usually win. He was also an Instructor at Point Cook. We were posted in '69 to America for dad to test the F-111's for 2 years, then became the Project Officer for another 3. Considering he started out in Mustangs over Korea in 77 Squadron, he did pretty well to stay alive until his 90's.

[@damienwilloughby]

Nice video 😁

[@gmarshall1026]

Bob thanks

[@garynew9637]

Very nice presentation. Kudos.

[@nickraschke4737]

Great channel, wonderful content.

[@kiwikeith7633]

Bob Howe just might have flown with the guy who lives across the road from me today. My neighbour was a RAAF Canberra pilot in Vietnam and also doing offshore surveillance etc flights. Well that is as much as I know about his exploits because I believe he has age related memory degradation.