Canberra down(!)under

Not just the RAAF, the Royal Navy used them too in Malta, and I think they did fairly well as drones, at least the one shot down by a Sea Slug did its part in blowing up well! This one looks uncannily similar in terms of colour scheme and markings to the RN drones.

Limitation for flaps is 160Kts
Normal unstick is 130 Kts
Safety speed is 170 Kts
Undercarriage limiting speed is 190 Kts
Stall occurs about 82 Kts depending on weight.

So all fairly close together, take into consideration engine acceleration time and you could have a really bad day if you’re not on the ball.

Are you saying this is not the greatest choice for a drone, was it just the RAAF that used them this way?

not much on google

Surely not, who would do such a thing?:rolleyes:

Any Canberra experts or pilots know if overshooting with full flap is hazardous/dangerous?? Could this be the reason?

Baz

Limitation for flaps is 160Kts
Normal unstick is 130 Kts
Safety speed is 170 Kts
Undercarriage limiting speed is 190 Kts
Stall occurs about 82 Kts depending on weight.

So all fairly close together, take into consideration engine acceleration time and you could have a really bad day if you’re not on the ball.

The commentary says that the press was asked not to show what happened, but they were already packing their gear and heading for the studio with their exclusive.

Surely not, who would do such a thing?:rolleyes:

Any Canberra experts or pilots know if overshooting with full flap is hazardous/dangerous?? Could this be the reason?

Baz

GFR: “I have the full clip on VHS , I will see if I can convert and post it.”

Yes please!

Regarding the U.10 controllers. They had two visual controllers for take-off and landing: azimuth and elevation. Once stable in flight, control was handed over to a pilot in a flight control centre. Visual no longer required.

Regarding flaps. Apparently there was an emergency “FLAPS UP” command. But in general case flap control was automatic dependent on flight mode and mode sequence. I suspect the aircraft was put into “LAND GLIDE” (causing gear and flaps to lower), then “OVERSHOOT”. The latter initiated a climb and gear retraction. Flaps would only retract when next flight mode was selected.

On the full video clip, they said that there were multiple controllers, I think one for each axis, maybe another on engines. The Canberra was not taking off, it was doing a low slow pass along the runway centreline or thereabouts.

The controllers were all located outdoors and had visual on the jet. The eyewitness commentary describes how there was a sudden silence in the chatter between the controllers as control was lost, and then it speared in.

The commentary says that the press was asked not to show what happened, but they were already packing their gear and heading for the studio with their exclusive.

I have the full clip on VHS , I will see if I can convert and post it.

IIRC, it was a demonstration during a press publicity day at the Woomera rocket range to show how far the technology of flying a drone had advanced

ah……that didn’t go well then:o

YellowAster Could this have been an overshoot rather than take-off ? The flaps in the U.10 were automatically controlled, dependant on flight mode, and, according to PN, were normally only extended during “LAND GLIDE”.

That’s a good point, I’ve never seen the PN for what is essentially a ARTF out of the box R/C model. Slightly surprised the pilot has no control over them.
Do you know if the pilot would have been in a cabin with no visual reference on the airfield?

Baz

Could this have been an overshoot rather than take-off ? The flaps in the U.10 were automatically controlled, dependant on flight mode, and, according to PN, were normally only extended during “LAND GLIDE”.

Good point SpitfireMan, perhaps the reason the controller had the climb too steep.

IIRC, it was a demonstration during a press publicity day at the Woomera rocket range to show how far the technology of flying a drone had advanced …but control was lost. Not an intentional crash, and no one was hurt.

On looking again – did they try taking off with full flap ?

IIRC, it was a demonstration during a press publicity day at the Woomera rocket range to show how far the technology of flying a drone had advanced …but control was lost. Not an intentional crash, and no one was hurt.

Looks like the controller made the climb a tad too high – appears to be a straightforward stall.

Maybe it was done on purpose if the aircraft was redundant? Seems like a coincidence that it was being filmed so maybe it was just an amusing way to destroy an old airframe?