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RAF LEGEND BOWS
OUT AT AIR TATTOO
History will be made at the world’s largest military airshow this
summer when one of the Royal Air Force’s most famous aircraft takes
to the skies for its very last public display.
The disbandment of 39 (1 PRU) Squadron based at RAF Marham, in
Norfolk in July means the appearance of the legendary Canberra photo
reconnaissance aircraft at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF
Fairford in Gloucestershire on July 15-16 will mark its retirement
after 55 years of service with the RAF.
Although the Canberra began life in 1951 as a light bomber, its
potential as a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft was soon
realised and it is in this role that it will be best remembered. The
definitive Canberra reconnaissance version, the PR9, first flew in
1955 and since then it has carried out vital reconnaissance missions
during many of the 20th century’s greatest conflicts. The Canberra
saw action in Malaya against terrorists in 1955 and again in the
Suez crisis of 1956. It photographed Russian shipping movements
during the Cuban missile crisis and flew reconnaissance missions
during the war in Kosovo and during current operations in the Middle
East.
Its immense capability saw it set more than 20 world records
including, in 1957, an altitude record of 70,310ft and such is its
versatility that NASA still retains two modified Canberras for high
altitude research.
The Canberra is widely regarded one the world’s longest serving
operational military aeroplanes and its retirement from the Royal
Air Force will bring to an end one of the greatest chapter’s in the
distinguished history of RAF operational aircraft.
Flying the aircraft at the Air Tattoo will be 61-year-old Squadron
Leader Terry Cairns, the Royal Air Force’s most experienced Canberra
pilot, who will himself retire from the RAF two weeks after the
display.
He said: “I am particularly delighted to be given the opportunity to
be part of the last Royal Air Force Canberra display team, along
with my navigator Sqn Ldr Roger Newton, as I shall also go out of
service shortly as possibly one of the oldest military display
pilots.”
For the very latest news on this fantastic event please go to
: http://www.airtattoo.com/
SEE ALSO:
http://www.birmingham101.com/101_RIAT_2005_review.htm RIAT 2005
Review |