What’s the name of this aircraft? They had it outside at Duxford today and thought it looked unusual.
Posted by D_Cakes_@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 54 comments
ovenproofjet@reddit
Taken from a Canberra springs to mind
Technical_Meal_1263@reddit
Came for this, was not disappointed.
Take my upvote, captain!
lordtema@reddit
God i love RAF Luton
Technical_Meal_1263@reddit
Sole reason to check on X from time to time.
Kanyiko@reddit
English Electric/British Aircraft Company/British Aerospace Canberra.
It's an early jet bomber (first flight 1949) which was widely used by various air forces around the world for over half a century. It was also built under license in the United States as the Martin B-57 Canberra (differing in a number of aspects, such as cockpit seating, engines, bomb bay accomodation, etc).
Other than a bomber it was also used as a reconnaissance aircraft, with dedicated variants built; and as an electronic counter measures aircraft. Trainer variants also existed.
It saw use in various conflicts - the 1956 Suez Crisis (by the Royal Air Force); the 1960 Venezuelan 24-hour coup (Venezuelan Canberras vs rebels); the 1962 Katanga Crisis (Indian Air Force Canberras under UN mandate); the 1963-1975 Vietnam War (both the original English version, by the Australians, and the Amrican version, by the USAF and South Vietnamese Air Force); the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971 (ironically pitting British-built Indian Canberras vs US-built Pakistani Canberras); the 1982 Falkland War (Argentine Canberras vs the British Navy); and the 1995 Cinepa War (Peruvian Canberras vs Ecuadorian border posts).
Despite having first flown only four years after the end of the Second World War, Canberras served well into the 21st century - the Royal Air Force did not retire its last reconnaissance Canberras until 2006, and the Indian Air Force retired their Canberra bombers a year later in 2007. There are still three (US-built) Canberra high-altitude research aircraft in NASA service nowadays.
BossStevedore@reddit
Also operated by the Rhodesian Air Force - reference “Green Leader” audio that may be found on various sites. I was responsible for installing the equipment used to make that recording.
Kanyiko@reddit
I forgot to mention the Bush wars! D: (none of them involving any president called Bush, ironically).
I was pretty sure I had!
doctordudewatson@reddit
My grandfather was the pilot for XH171 out of RAF Wyton, which is now at RAF Cosford as part of the cold war exhibition
sm1chael@reddit
Canberra. Unfortunately one of many aircraft being moved out of AirSpace hangar and being relocated. I believe this is going to a museum in Norfolk.
Previous-Olive-7960@reddit
It belongs to the RAF Museum. The loan to the IWM has ended and they have asked for it back. The Sea Harrier FA.2, registration ZA175, is returning to the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford after being on loan to the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. The aircraft, a Falklands War veteran, is being swapped for a Jaguar GR.1B, XX108, which will be permanently transferred to the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum.
dellterskelter@reddit
No, I think this is going to the RAF museum. The Jaguar is going to Suffolk and Norfolk Aviation Museum.
PunicHelix@reddit
Are you kidding me!? Just when I think the IWM can't piss me off any more.
magnificentfoxes@reddit
Well, they're also getting a sea harrier in return.
martinjh99@reddit
Looks like a Canberra bomber....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Electric_Canberra
Procellaria@reddit
The aircraft takes its name from the Australian capital city, Canberra. The word Canberra is from the local Aboriginal language.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra
whooo_me@reddit
I guess it beats Booby McBoobyface.
Liamnacuac@reddit
Now there's a name for a bomber!
ABlokeFromChester@reddit
I love the fact that "the hollow between a woman's breasts" and "meeting place" have the same translation
Procellaria@reddit
It fits the geography and that it's Australia's capital at least lol
aka_Handbag@reddit
Today I learned the possible meanings! Wow! Gives me a whole new appreciation for the city and aircraft.
ABlokeFromChester@reddit
I love the fact that "the hollow between a woman's breasts" and "meeting place" have the same translation
Pier-Head@reddit
This particular airframe is an original B.2. Only one in the U.K. I believe.
ricardojndosreis@reddit
Maybe it’s missing from RAF Luton?
Duckbilling2@reddit
They call me...
Tim?
11Kram@reddit
Tim nice but dim?
MoreCommunication940@reddit
He is quite…enchanting
bake_gatari@reddit
cool AF craft
PeckerNash@reddit
Didnt the RCAF use these as well?
Dramatic_Mulberry274@reddit
Ellington South of Houston was a cool place for the 57’s a few years ago.
lockerno177@reddit
Pakistani airforce pilots carried out some of the most daring bombing raids against indian airbases on this aircraft back in 1965.
txstubby@reddit
A version of this bomber was built in the USA by Martin/General Dynamics, the RB-57F Canberra.
NASA has 4 of them with two or three of them in flying condition (NASA 926, NASA 927, and NASA 928). Several years ago NASA did a formation flight over Houston with their remaining RB-57Fs. I don't know if any of them have flown recently or will be flown again primarily due to budget constraints.
FoghornLeghorn2024@reddit
A WB-57 few just a few days ago in aid to the recent flood in the Texas Hill country.
https://www.nasa.gov/earth/nasa-aircraft-sensor-technology-aid-in-texas-flood-recovery-efforts/#:\~:text=The%20high%2Daltitude%20WB%2D57,with%20the%20emergency%20response%20effort.
Dommlid@reddit
Classic British Cold War bomber, one of the few foreign designs to be bought by the USAF still in use today by NASA
Doc_Hank@reddit
NASA used it last week in Kerr County, Texas for flood recon.
r1Rqc1vPeF@reddit
Canberra, not sure if there is still a gate guardian at the Samlesbury site where I used to wok.
They were still making them when I was an apprentice and I got to tour the final assembly line.
IIRC it has an offset canopy. It did hold a number of altitude and endurance records I think.
MWleFylde@reddit
Samlesbury gate guardians are now two Lightnings (Classic and F-35). Canberra club still exists.
r1Rqc1vPeF@reddit
Shit! The Canberra club. How’d I forget about that?
There used to be a ‘Guest Canteen’ near the old main entrance. I think it was supposed to be for military/customers. When I was an apprentice on placement there the guys I was working for somehow convinced the staff I was a visitor - my home site was Strand Rd, Preston.
Decent lunches and alcohol for a couple of months until the management twigged
Known-Associate8369@reddit
There were many different variants of the Canberra, some with the offset "fighter style" canopy, but the original design was with the bubble canopy (which is the one depicted).
r1Rqc1vPeF@reddit
Absolutely- it’s 40 yrs ago when I was on the shop floor.
Known-Associate8369@reddit
To make people feel very old right now....
40 years ago is 1985, not the 1960s :D
r1Rqc1vPeF@reddit
Born in 1963, apprentice aircraft fitter in 1979, retired after almost exactly 45yrs. Worked on Jaguar, Tornado (both variants), EAP, Eurofighter/Typhoon, Lightning II (F35).
Long story.
Teddy_Pocketwatch@reddit
It's the RAF Luton Canberra
LCARSgfx@reddit
English Electric Canberra. An odd looking plane for sure. But was in service for a long, long time. NASA had a few, of course, they called it something else. Can't have limey jets in their service. LOL
Hazmat_Human@reddit
Youll find RAF Luton round the corner
Cambren1@reddit
Always love the look of a Canberra
lebietetek@reddit
B-57 since I am too stupid to spell cranberry.
sbisson@reddit
Canberra. My wife’s dad used to fly the PR version.
domthedruid@reddit
Canberra
BaasG11@reddit
Isn't that the RAF Luton Canberra?
VisibleOtter@reddit
An English Electric Canberra. It served in various forms for around 60 years, and was a hugely underrated aircraft.
Temujin15@reddit
Jeff
Cesalv@reddit
Wilbur
stefbbr@reddit
Canberra B2 WH-725 apparently. Thanks for making me Google that, it was instructive 😅
Nun-Taken@reddit
It’s a Canberra. US version is a B57