One of my favoufite aeroplanes is the English Electric Canberra. I have modelled it three times so far and am presently finishing off a rebuild. It suddenly occurred to me that I have no idea where the name came from. The research I have carried out so far has drawn a blank. So can anyone tell me why this beautiful English design was christened "Canberra"
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Jetsome, greetings, according to Wikipedia 'The aircraft was named after the capital by Sir George Nelson, chairman of English Electric, because Australia was the first export customer for the aircraft ' I clearly remember being taken to Heathrow, which was probably called Hounslow Heath at the time, in 1953 to see Canberra WD 952 , on display there, which had recently set the altitude record at 63,668 ft. Heathrow then was just a collection of tents with a few piston engined airliners scattered around. My parents were not interested in aircraft, but I made them take me there. Always a favourite aircraft.
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Hi Richard. Thanks for that info. Apart from the fact that this is a beautiful aircraft, with such simple clean lines, it was the first jet I really got familiar with. My first summer camp with the ATC was to RAF Binbrook, back in 1952 or was it 53? They had just received their first Canberras and there was this terrific air of excitement and we were privelidged enough to clean them and touch them. One or two lucky chaps got a trip in one while the rest of us had to make do with rides in a Varsity. I also wander if "Teddy" Petter designed any other aeroplanes of note other than this master piece of his.
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Hi Jetsome Teddy Petter designed the English Electric Lightning among others.
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Hi Jetsome, The design of the English Electric A1 was put forward in the Autumn of 1945 to meet the B3/45 specification for a high speed 2 crew jet bomber. In 1946 an order was raised by the Air Ministry for 4 A1 prototypes. English Electric B2 made its first flight on 23rd April 1950. A production batch of 70 aircraft followed of which WD929 was the first. In January 1951 WD929 was christened "Canberra" after the australian capital city by its then prime minister Robert Menzies, the ceremony taking place at RAF Biggin Hill. Incidentaly Canberra WD 952 powered by Bristol Siddeley Olympus engines set the altitude record on 4th May 1953 The above information was sourced from "English Electric Canberra - the development and history of a classic jet " by Bruce Barrymore Halpenny, published by Pen & Sword Aviation (2005)
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Just to add to this guys, I was fortunate to work on Canberras in the 80s whilst in the RAF. I worked on T17s on 360 Sqn and also worked on the old 39 sqn PR9s. The latter were amazing aircraft.
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Tom would you believe TWO masterpieces then if Petter designed the lightening as well! The Yanks took on the Canberra, a pity they didn't take on the Lightening cos I believe it was superior to the Phantom at the time
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Tony. My old sqadron No.3 took on Canberras. One of my friends, an electrical fitter, complained that they were not very comfortable to work on. How did you find them?
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Sorry Dave. My last question was for you!
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Jetsome I just looked up Petter on tinternet and culled the below off Wickepedia He designed the Lysander, Whirlwind and Welkin for Westland Aircraft, the Canberra and the Lightning for English Electric (EE), and lastly the Folland Midge and Folland Gnat.
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| Edited: 12/05/08 23:46 |
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