Canberra WH773

Thanks for that John, I will indeed contact the RAF Museum for further info. In the meantime I have found out that WH773 was stationed at Laarbruch twice and was loaned to the RAF Laarbruch Museum by the 31 Sqn Association. She is to be repainted in 31 Sqn colours.

The Museum also has the nose-section of Canberra WH849 and Buccaneer XV337

Regards Peter

Hi Peter

I think if you contact the RAFM they can send you a copy of the Movement Card

John

Hi all,

just to inform you Canberra WH773 is now at RAF Laarbruch in Germany and is on display in the space between the Astra Cinema and the church. She will receive a repaint in due course. I was told yesterday that at one stage she was actually stationed at Laarbruch, but I couldn’t find anything about this in the inernet. Can somebody shed some light on this please?
I’ll post pictures shortly.

Peter

By some strange chance, I came upon your notes regarding WH773. I flew the aircraft in the 70’s whilst in Malta and Cyprus with 13sqn. I have a photo of myself and Tony Gordon outside 773 taken just before we went flying over Sicily on 30 October 1974. Will send it to you if you wish. Have some old mates from the squadron who live near Crawley – feel sure we would like to look at the old girl sometime. Good luck with the project and may hear from you? regards, Phillip Wilcock. By the way, Lewis Hodges who flew the air race ended up as Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force

Hi Phillip I have a Canberra PR.7 cockpit WH779 It’s on display at http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/ she was also with 13 sqn around the 70s, do you have 779 in your logbook be great to hear from you.

http://wh779.webs.com/

Would be great to hear about your Canberra flying hear 🙂 http://www.canberracrazy.co.uk/

WH773

By some strange chance, I came upon your notes regarding WH773. I flew the aircraft in the 70’s whilst in Malta and Cyprus with 13sqn. I have a photo of myself and Tony Gordon outside 773 taken just before we went flying over Sicily on 30 October 1974. Will send it to you if you wish. Have some old mates from the squadron who live near Crawley – feel sure we would like to look at the old girl sometime. Good luck with the project and may hear from you? regards, Phillip Wilcock. By the way, Lewis Hodges who flew the air race ended up as Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force

Thankyou Phil , thats great i’m so pleased and so will be my Uncle.

10) Please post in comprehensible English, commonly used abbreviations are acceptable however refrain from using ‘mobile’ text as not everyone understands it.

Found here:
10) Please post in comprehensible English, commonly used abbreviations are acceptable however refrain from using ‘mobile’ text as not everyone understands it.
Peter,
Moderator

i visted you once at gatwick aviation museum you let me go in the shackelton and various other aitcraft. i would be interested in helping but again its time but i will see what i can do

Try this link:

http://www.transportphotos.com/air/photo/AG04454

Regards,

Phil.

Hi everyone, i’m new on here, but i was hoping some of you may be able to help.
My Uncle was stationed at RAF Wyton when the Canberra WE139 won the race. I have recently taken him to Hendon , not realising the actual plane was there.
He was over the moon and some happy memories came flooding back. He told me that he had worked on WE139 and also WE142.
Obviously because WE139 is at Hendon I have managed to get some lovely pictures of the plane and needless to say an extremely happy Uncle.
Now the question, can anybody on here help me find a picture of WE142 so that he can have a pair of pictures??
I would be so greatful if someone could help.
If not , could you please tell me where i should try.
Thanks.

Ben, John,

Thanks guys, dont forget Ive lost ya contact details.

Peter, now that would have been nice LoL

Bex

hey bex,
glad to see ur back and that all is well 🙂

thought maybe poor bex had been trapped or locked in 773….

Just glad you’re OK Bex.

Thanks Bruce 😀

Thats a good idea Stuart :diablo:

Bex

Perhaps we should have a dedicated “where are they now” thread? (seriously)

and nice to see you back!

Bruce

Ello

Hi all,

Well I didnt realise Id been missed this much 🙂 My partner & her step son have been in & out of hospital since before Xmas and basically all Ive had time for is my modelling. 773 has been neglected somewhat unfortunately but hopefully after this weeks final hospital lark it will be sort.

Les is correct, Ive been hanging around a modelling forum, and have also since started running my own modelling forum, not sure if I can give links via the board, but if anyone fancies a look then drop me a PM.

Ben, Peter (W) & John, Ive lost your contact details as my home network crashed a while ago.

Glad to be back

Bex

Bex is still an active member of GAM.

We recently received this information regarding the history of WH773.
——————————————————————-
“I notice from your website that at your museum you have what I understand to be the first production Canberra PR7 that was delivered to the RAF – WH773. You may be interested in some information I have about that aircraft’s earliest operations.

I am not sure if you are aware, but this aircraft’s first tasking was as part of the specially formed New Zealand Air Race Flight attached to 540 Sqn at RAF Wyton. The flight was headed up by Wg Cdr Lewis Hodges, and my father (Then Sqn Ldr Bob Currie) was the senior navigator for the RAF Canberra crews.
According to my father’s log book, WH773 was collected by Wg Cdr Hodges and my father from the English Electric Factory at Salmesbury on 11 Sep 1953 and taken to Wyton, after few shake down and familiarisation sorties. Hodges, my father and 773 arrived at London Airport on 3 Oct 1953 for the build up to the air race. WH773 was to be Canberra Number 1 of 5 (others being RAF PR3’s & RAAF B2s).

Hodges, my father and 773, set off on the air race at 1735 on 8 Oct 1953 heading for their first fuel stop at Shaiba, and then on to Negombo. They set an official speed record for the London to Colombo leg of 10hrs 25 mins (836.004 kmh/520 mph/452 kts).

They then pressed on to Perth and were well in the lead, but sadly a double generator failure cost them precious time. They eventually reached Christchurch New Zealand in the early hours of 10 Sep 1953 and were placed fourth, though they had the fastest flying time of 22 hrs 22mins from London to Christchurch New Zealand. The winning Canberra PR3 was crewed by Flt Lt Burton and Flt Lt Gannon – that aircraft – WE139 is in the Hendon Museum.

My Father’s last connection with WH773 was on 27 Oct 1953 when they flew it from Pearce to Changi, thereafter he switched to a PR3 for the final legs back home.”

Canberra PR.7 WH773 was the first production PR.7. First flight 16.8.53 To 540,82,31,80,58 and 13 Squadrons.Struck off charge Wyton 9.6.81. To 2331 ATC unit as 8696M 9.81. Dismantled at Wyton 2.90 to Vallance Byways,Charlwood 90. It was on the Wyton gate as of 1981. It did an approach to Yeovilton 1.7.80

You don’t mention 773’s greatest endeavour. WH773 was one of three RAF Canberras that took part in the London/New Zealand Air Race in 1953. It was marked as No. 1 in the race (but not the winner). The other two were WE139, now preserved at Hendon, and WE142, now scrapped.

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