Canberra over Edinburgh

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

I think I can recognise a Canberra when I see one, especially whens its overhead at 800 feet!

It looked more dark grey than black, maybe it was just shadow.

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

Well you know the statement was if they do their job well and are fit to do the job then why not. It depends heavily on the application you put them into work as. For example you wouldnt put a Battle up against a Tornado or Harrier but you might use the battle as a means to transport a small amount of mail or passengers etc etc.

All depends on the job.

And on the point of the battle pilots. They had no say they were ordered to do it.

Merlin

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

“Moggy I think as long as the aircraft are safe to fly and do their job well then it doesnt matter what era the were built in or what age they are. “

I wonder how many Fairey Battle pilots from 1940 over France would agree with that statement? 😉

Moggy

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

Thanks for the info guys. I didnt actually know the RAF still had Canberras so there is another piece of info I can add to the list.

Wasnt until after I saw it that I doubted it was a Canberra as my first impression was Canberra definately. But then again I am not a very good aircraft spotter. If this was wartime youd better hope I was Aircrew and not an observer or AA Crew as I think it would be a case of Friendly fire. LOL

Moggy I think as long as the aircraft are safe to fly and do their job well then it doesnt matter what era the were built in or what age they are. Personally I think we should still have the Vixen and Hunters still prowling our skies Also the Vulcan but thats progress for you.

Merlin

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

>screamed overhead (well, howled actually) nose went
>straight up, and then climbed away and vanished into clouds.

Can’t have been a Canberra then! 🙂

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-10-02 AT 11:33 AM (GMT)]Yeah Moggy but wasnt the PR9 built in the 1960s?

It was fabulous to see a T4 over Ingoldmells earlier this year – screamed overhead (well, howled actually) nose went straight up, and then climbed away and vanished into clouds.

Does the Canberrra count as military or a warbird? 😉

Am I alone in hating those black paint schemes?

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

Hi Damien

“Probably an RAF one”

Good call mate, as there are only two non-RAF Canberras in the UK that it could have been – WK163 and WK128. The first is a long shot at this time I reckon, the second, well, the “don’t shoot me” stripes would probably have been visible and this TT.18 doesn’t stray too far from Llanbedr these days.

Agree though, would have been a PR.9, they seem to have been getting about the UK a fair bit recently, including one doing a day of “rollers” at Fairford.

As for the Cranberrie’s longevity. . .well, what about the B.52? And the Sidewinder AAM is 50 this year as well!

But as the old saying goes “Smile when you look up, you’re picture’s being taken.”

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

Hi Moggy,
I’d agree with you to some extent that it’s a bit worrying to have such an old design as front line equipment,but if it does the job then what the hell.The Canberra is still a useful aircraft,and the RAF want to keep thier existing machines for as long as possible.The Canberra is one of the best Recce platforms ever designed,and I think it’s to the credit of the original design that it’s still in frontline service.Long may it continue! 🙂
Whilst on the subject of Canberras,what are the chances of seeing WK163 at Duxford’s October show?I noticed it was on a list of provisional participants a few weeks ago,but it’s not on the latest ones.Being as the theme for the show is spyplanes,it would be a shame not to have a Canberra in attendance.

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

The RAF still operate Canberras from Marham, just up the road from here.

I find it a bit depressing that the RAF are still using an aircraft designed in the 1940s.

On the other hand, I’d rather see one fly over than another Tornado.

Makes you worry about the general state of our defences though.

Moggy

RE: Canberra over Edinburgh

I have been loking at Canberra sites on the internet and found that the shape and size of the aircraft is exactly the same as the one I saw. So this leads me to the conclusion that it was indeed a Canberra that I saw last week. Does anyone have any info on Canberras that are still airworthy and would possibly be in the Edinburgh area last week.

Merlin