Canberras to Kemble. Monday morning 31st July

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By: GASML - 28th July 2006 at 14:01

Very short notice I’m afraid, but let’s make the most of it! The last three flying Canberra PR9s will be delivered to their private owners at Kemble, ETA 10.15, Monday morning.

Thanks to Falcon Aviation who are co-ordinating the handover and Delta Jets at Kemble, we're extending a unique invitation for former Canberra crews and all fellow enthusiasts to get us “up-close” to the beasties!

No need to book. We’ll simply handle all who turn up at Delta Jets hangar on Monday morning!

For those wanting more info: Here the 'official' news release:

[
CANBERRA CREWS SCRAMBLE!
INVITATION TO FORMER CREW MEMBERS AS PIONEER JETS RETIRE.

Former crew members and enthusiasts invited to say farewell as final flight of RAF Canberras arrives at Kemble, Gloucestershire. 10.15am Monday 31st July.

On Monday 31st July, the last three remaining Canberra jet bombers will bow out after over five decades of RAF service. They will fly in formation into Kemble aerodrome near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, marking the end an era of Air Force history.

The three aircraft were sold at auction earlier this month. Falcon Aviation, suppliers of aircraft ground support equipment, maintenance and training to airlines and airport operators around the world, are coordinating the handover to the new civilian owners.

In a unique step, the new aircraft owners are inviting any former Canberra crew members and aviation enthusiasts for a once-off opportunity to get up close to the aeroplanes on their arrival at Kemble.

The three Canberra aircraft are scheduled to arrive in formation overhead Kemble at 10.15 on Monday morning. Following their arrival, visitors will be escorted to the aircraft for closer inspection and photography. Any guests arriving at Kemble should head for Delta Jets hangar on the West side of the airfield. Refreshments will be available in the nearby “AV8” restaurant at the control tower.

“We’re really delighted at the generosity of Kemble Airfield and Delta Jets in enabling former crew members and aviation enthusiasts alike to get up close to these historic aeroplanes” said Ian French of Falcon Aviation. “The RAF have quite rightly marked the end of the Canberra’s service with some style, including the flypast for Her Majesty the Queen, but now these aircraft are in civilian hands, for one day at least we can really give the ultimate access to those who’ve been involved with the type in over fifty years of service”.

Two of the aircraft have been acquired by Nigel Spurr of Ground Equipment Supplies and he is currently working with Falcon Aviation and Delta Jets at Kemble to investigate the continuing civilian operation of these historic aircraft. Delta Jets will maintain the Canberras in fully airworthy condition as this exciting project takes shape.

Originally designed by the English Electric company at Preston in Lancashire during the Second World War, the Canberra was the first jet bomber to enter worldwide service. The prototype aircraft flew for the first time on 13 May 1949 and entered operational service with the RAF in 1951, first as a medium bomber, although photo reconnaissance (PR) variants were first produced soon afterwards.

The last three Canberras are all PR9 photo reconnaissance aircraft, a variant which first flew in July 1955 and amazingly remained in operational service until 26th June this year, when the last Canberras returned to base at RAF Marham in Norfolk after conducting their final missions over Afghanistan. Their retirement ends the longest period of front-line service of any aeroplane in RAF history.

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