From http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/canberra.html
As the only remaining Canberra squadron in RAF service, No 39 conducts its own conversion training, for which it retains a number of T4 dual-control training aircraft.
The aircraft’s camera fit has developed through a number of stages over its life. A variety of daytime ‘wet’ cameras can be carried for medium and higher level vertical and oblique photography and survey cameras can also be fitted. An optional self-contained sensor, recording imagery in digital format on magnetic tape for exploitation at a ground station can now be carried. In addition to the sensor platform updates, the PR9 has a much enhanced navigation suite and defensive systems.
Current plans envisage the aircraft remaining in service for some years to come. Recent operational deployments have included humanitarian and peace support operations in Rwanda and Zaire, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan whilst regular photographic survey tasks have included Zimbabwe, Kenya, Norway and Denmark.
To me it looks purposeful – “I will get airborne, whatever they’ve loaded into my belly”
I believe the fan tip speed is about Mach 1.5, according to my Bill Gunston jet engine book.
“You can generally tell if it’s me by my habit of holding the aircraft really low until the speed has built.”
You didn’t used to fly Vulcans, by any chance? Or Lightnings at air displays? Zooming straight up to 30,000 feet from the end of the runway!
From The Scotsman web site
Soldier Killed in Helicopter Crash
By Laura Elston and David Stringer, PA News
A British soldier was killed in Iraq today after a Puma helicopter crashed at Basra airport.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said it appeared “unlikely” that the aircraft was brought down by hostile action.
Two other RAF crew members were injured during the incident this morning at the airfield in southern Iraq.
Speaking during defence questions in the House of Commons, Mr Hoon told MPs: “It appears unlikely that hostile action was the case but it is too soon to confirm any other details.”
Captain Hasham Hallawi, spokesman for UK forces in Basra, also said foul play was not suspected.
The fatality brings to 61 the number of British personnel killed since the start of the Iraqi conflict.
MoD staff in Iraq’s second city said it could be weeks before the circumstances are established.
The helicopter was part of 33 Squadron from RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.
It is not known if the helicopter, commonly used for carrying troops, came down while attempting to take off or while at low altitude.
“What we know is that the helicopter crashed this morning local time, but there will have to be an investigation to determine why,” said a spokesman.
“No other helicopters have been grounded as a result and the accident has not affected the way we are carrying out missions.”
The two injured crew members were given check-ups at a local hospital but were not seriously hurt.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been released.
A statement on the MoD website said: “A British serviceman was tragically killed in an accident at Basra International Airport to an RAF Puma helicopter.
“The next of kin are being informed and further details will not be published until this process is complete.”
The Puma is a twin-engined support helicopter capable of carrying up to 20 troops. It entered service with the RAF in 1971.
Pumas are used for tactical movement of troops, weapons, ammunition and support stores, as well as casualty evacuation.
Well done, Ken, we should have called in at Jessops while I was with you, my new camera’s only fit for the bin now!
You may be right – the PW2000 series fan diameter is 78.5 in and here is a cutaway from the PW web site
Groundnut – the peanut or monkey-nut (Arachis)
(Chambers 20th Century Dictionary, although we are now in the 21st century)
I would agree with the CF-6 except that if the size is less than 6 ft diameter as stated in post #3, it would make it too small to be a CF-6, which has a fan diameter of 86.4 in. I am absolutely certain it’s a General Electric product, anyway!
Webby, we see the same questions time after time concerning basic photographic techniques such as obtaining blurred propellers, please could you add at least a few of these oft-repeated questions in the general FAQ section? I know there are non-aviation Forums on this site to which these may not be relevant, but the general heading for the site is after all “Aviation Forums”!
I am not suggesting detailed Photoshop techniques but a little general advice would save a lot of back-references to threads where the same questions have been answered before.
I would guess the 65 million was the number of leaflets!
Neither of these appear on the AAIB web site, although if you have described the circumstances, date and aircraft registration correctly they should have!
Depends who painted it!
It looks rather like a CFM56-3, as fitted to 737s.
Here’s a nice colour profile of a Mk IV, DZ464 of 139 Sqn Marham.
Source: Page 131 of “The History of the Royal Air Force”