In a word..nope!
I think it could be said that with limitless money and fully certified equipment to hand and end endless supply of full time highly skilled engineers just about any project could be theoretically made “airworthy” as I believe has been discussed here before. The facts however are significantly less optimistic 🙁
Whilst WT333 is a good airframe, like all “outsiders” she suffers from the never ending battle with corrosion. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop. All you can do is chase it around the structure and treat it to the best of your ability. It will alway win eventually though.
There’s the ongoing issue of the Fatigue Life of certain components. Towards the end of their service life Canberra airframes (and engines as you rightly say) were subject to mass of NDT checks and inspections relating to components suffering significantly from fatigue. Like corrosion, it doesn’t go away…just accumulates as time goes on meaning parts become Life Expired or simply beyond economical repair and become too costly and labour intensive to renew.
Those are just a couple of things to bear in mind when thinking about airworthy aircraft, there’s a whole host of other stuff but it all leads to the same conclusion. She’s ground bound for good..albeit with a good amount of sky appearing under her nosewheel every once in a while 😀
So, all this adds up to one final summary..get along to Brunty whenever you can on open days and help WT333’s heart to keep beating by buying yourself a treat from the range of merchandise we have to offer or making a small donation. It all goes towards keeping the old girl running for years to come…and don’t forget.. 60th anniversary of the English Electric Canberra 13th May folks!
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