Civilian Canberras

[Gully]

One of my all-time favourite aircraft is the English Electric Canberra and for a while in the 90's and 00's I was pretty confident that we'd be enjoying a few examples on the display circuit for years to come, despite their RAF retirement.

However, the chances of seeing one grace our skies again are looking increasingly slim now, with the PR9 return to flight project at Kemble seeingly having stalled in the wake of Delta Jets' liquidation and Air Atlantique having made no progress with locating a replacement engine for WK163. Having seen WK163 a few weeks ago, she was standing outside in the elements looking more like a possible future restoration project to me, rather than a serviceable airframe awaiting a quick engine replacement.

So, does anyone have any positive news as to civilian Canberra operations?! Or is the consensus that we've seen the last of these beautifully proportioned aircraft flying? I believe NASA will soon be retiring their last couple of B57's adapted for high altitude flying to support the shuttle programme - what are the chances of those continuing to fly in another guise?

Cheers,

Gully

[Dan4th]

NASA is selling-off all kinds of things these
days, so maybe B-57s plus spares would be
put up for sale

I know they've been kept in fine condition, too!

Danf.

[Cluny]

with the PR9 return to flight project at Kemble seeingly having stalled in the wake of Delta Jets' liquidation

Cheers,

Gully

Vintage Flyers at Kemble with the help from Marshalls have started to bring XH134 back to life .
Aiming to commence test flying by late 2012

[Sploosher]

with the PR9 return to flight project at Kemble seeingly having stalled in the wake of Delta Jets' liquidation

Cheers,

Gully

Vintage Flyers at Kemble with the help from Marshalls have started to bring XH134 back to life .
Aiming to commence test flying by late 2012

I think XH134 was worked on by my late father (on 13 or 39 sqd)when he was stationed at Bassingbourn back in the early 60`s, and I had somthing to do with her between 1988-92, apparantly my father and a few of his colleagues at the time used to scratch their names onto the airframe somewhere at the back end where the V2 camera used to go.

[Gully]

with the PR9 return to flight project at Kemble seeingly having stalled in the wake of Delta Jets' liquidation

Cheers,

Gully

Vintage Flyers at Kemble with the help from Marshalls have started to bring XH134 back to life .
Aiming to commence test flying by late 2012

Fantastic!!

Thanks, Cluny - made my day.

Gully

[Jack]

According to the CAA website she is owned by switzerland company, hopefully that doesnt mean she will disapear as soon as she is flying

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?c ... ageindex=1

[Gully]

Good article in January's Aviation mag about the restoration / return to flight of XH134 (aside from their confusing photo captions!). All sounds very positive on progress made and timetable for a late 2012 test flight. Best of luck to Vintage Flyers!

Wonder who their test pilot will be? I suspect Dan Griffiths, given his recent Meteor duties, as the two aircraft apparently share asymmetric flying characteristics in the event of engine failure, plus he was the nominated pilot for WK163 until her problems. Wonder what Terry Cairns is up to now?!

Gully

[Richw_82]

Air Atlantique having made no progress with locating a replacement engine for WK163. Having seen WK163 a few weeks ago, she was standing outside in the elements looking more like a possible future restoration project to me, rather than a serviceable airframe awaiting a quick engine replacement.

WK163 isn't as bad as she looks. Don't let paintwork thats faded a little fool you. She gets opened up and aired out quite regularly and spent a good chunk of last winter nice and dry in the hangar.

Contrary to popular belief progress is being made in the search for an engine - its just that it has to be a specific type of Avon and it has to have the necessary paperwork with it in order to satisfy the authorities.

Be patient! She'll fly again.

Regards,

Rich

[Cluny]

For those on Facebook , I have just stumbled on a group of the restoration of XH134
https://www.facebook.com/groups/276084715757962/

[Gully]

Air Atlantique having made no progress with locating a replacement engine for WK163. Having seen WK163 a few weeks ago, she was standing outside in the elements looking more like a possible future restoration project to me, rather than a serviceable airframe awaiting a quick engine replacement.

WK163 isn't as bad as she looks. Don't let paintwork thats faded a little fool you. She gets opened up and aired out quite regularly and spent a good chunk of last winter nice and dry in the hangar.

Contrary to popular belief progress is being made in the search for an engine - its just that it has to be a specific type of Avon and it has to have the necessary paperwork with it in order to satisfy the authorities.

Be patient! She'll fly again.

Regards,

Rich

Thanks for that, Rich 82 - I sincerely hope you're right and we do see her again.

I wasn't commenting on the paintwork, but the pools of water in the rusty jet pipes did concern me! She was outside on a lousy day when I was up there.

@ Cluny - thanks for the link!

Gully

[Gully]

Good coverage of the new charitable trust that is looking after the Airbase aircraft in the current Jets Monthly mag.

They quote WK163 as needing around £250K spent on her to return to flight - wasn't 100% clear if that included for the sourcing of a viable Avon 109 or not, but I would hope so!

Gully