Whilst looking for something else – as you do, I came across these two images in a file.
On the rear of the prints it says.
London Heathrow North
8th October 1953
Race Number 5
EE Canberra B 20, RAux AF
S/L P F Raw DFC
The serial appears to be something like WH841 (correceted to A84-201 RAAF)
Race Number 3
EE Canberra PR 3
Flt/Lt L E Burton AFC
Serial quoted is WE139
There is clearly at least one more Canberra in the race and the Standard Vanguard estate car has RAF number plates. This must have been a very high profile event.
They are not the greatest of shots and it looks a pretty bleak day. They were not taken by me (old but not that old), but have been in my collection for a long time.
Who can a fill in the gaps here and tell us what this was all about?
Mark
By: oscar duck - 20th August 2004 at 12:24
A84-202 Mk.20 First flight 25/08/53. Delivered to RAAF 27/08/53. To 1 LRF 31/08/53. Took part in the London to Christchurch Air-Race in 1953. Same mods as A84-201, aircraft captain; WGCDR D.R. Cumming AFC, FLGOFF R.J. Atkinson and SQNLDR C.H.Harvey. Race No.4. Radio callsign VMZIPB. Was leading but blew a tyre on landing at Cocos Island and was delayed for 2 days. Its actual flying time was 22hrs 23.5 mins. It is quite amazing that all the actual flights times were so close. To 1 AS 06/11/53.
By: oscar duck - 20th August 2004 at 12:09
Here is a photo and little story on A84-201. She’s preserved at RAAF Base Amberley, Qld. http://www.bywat.co.uk/a84-201.html
By: oscar duck - 20th August 2004 at 11:58
More:RAAF Canberras achieved some national fame in 1953 when A84-201 and 202 participated in that year’s England to New Zealand Air Race. Long distance flights were a feature of early RAAF Canberra operations, these included goodwill trips to the USA.
By: Mark12 - 20th August 2004 at 08:30
Digitally challenged!
Two RAAF Canberras flew in the race A84-201..
Many thanks Oscar Duck.
I have corrected the pathetic serial guesstimate in my original post from ‘WH841’ to A84-201.
Mark
By: oscar duck - 20th August 2004 at 06:44
Two RAAF Canberras flew in the race A84-201 finished second by 40 minutes to an RAF Canberra. This aircraft took second place in the London-Christchurch Air-Race which started 08/10/53. Race no.5. Radio callsign VMZIPA The crew were aircraft captain; SQNLDR Peter F Raw DFC, FLTLT Francis Noel Davis and FLTLT W D (Bill) Kerr. The total time for the England to NZ race was 24Hrs 31Mins. Actual flight time was 22 Hrs 27.5 Mins erra.
By: Mark12 - 19th August 2004 at 20:54
Albert,
That is the one! 🙂
If only it looked as good as that at the 1999 site clearance auction.
I do not know what it went for, I was more intent on keeping my eye on a very large pile of about 70 Spitfire undercarriage legs various.
Mark
By: ALBERT ROSS - 19th August 2004 at 20:45
Do you mean this one? You don’t half test my archives out, don’t you?
This is Canberra PR.3, WE142, that I photographed being scrapped at Wroughton on 6 July 1970. Guess the nose was transported the short distance to Chippenham.
By: Mark12 - 19th August 2004 at 20:38
Ah excellent stuff. Thanks very much for clearing that up.
When they cleared the Flowers scrapyard at Chippenham in 1999, there was a cockpit section there, presumably Canberra, and I am sure it carried an inscription referring to the London to New Zealand Air Race.
Can anybody confirm?
Mark
By: oscar duck - 19th August 2004 at 20:26
RAAF f 😀 lew two Canberras in this as well…..
By: ALBERT ROSS - 19th August 2004 at 20:02
This is the London-NZ Air Race which was won by Canberra PR.3, WE139, which now stands in the RAF Museum. WE142 also particpated, as well as BEA Viscount G-AMAV, a RNZAF HP Hastings, a KLM DC-6 and possibly others. Here are some photos that are in the Cosford Museum, together with the Viscount crews’ flying suits.
Sign In
August 19, 2004 at 7:55 pm