ADF Serials - Canberra

ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

Canberras with RAF serials in Australia

B.2, B.6, B(I).8, T.4 & U.10

John Bennett's article on RAAF Canberra markings

Link to Canberras with RAAF Serial numbers

Apart from the Canberras with RAAF serials there were many Canberras that flew in Australia retaining their RAF serials.
Some had RAAF Aircraft Status Cards and some were crewed by RAAF Personnel.
A couple of those listed below were allocated to Australia but never made it down under. (As distinct from those that made it here and never returned home).
There are currently seven British built Canberra extant in Australia (plus one privately imported cockpit section).
They are WD939 (A84-307), WD954, WD983 (A84-125), WH700, WJ680 (VH-ZSQ), WK165, WT942 (A84-502) and the cockpit section of WJ678.

Trials Aircraft
The Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) was a joint U.K./Australia project based at Salisbury and Woomera and operated from Woomera, Mallalla, Evetts Field (40 km north of Woomera Airfield) and later RAAF Edinburgh.
RAF Canberras were flown by both RAF and RAAF pilots from 2 Squadron RAAF
They were used by the RAF as well as a number of private companies for various weapons, radar and other research programs. Some where used for bomb ballistics trials.
These trials Canberras all retained their RAF serials however most were issued RAAF Aircraft Status Cards and at least one wore (unofficial) Kangaroo roundels.

Atmospheric Sampling Aircraft
The production of Plutonium for nuclear weapons emitted a gas know as Krypton 85 (K-85). Scientists realised that by measuring the amount of K-85 gas in the atmosphere and allowing for US and British emissions that would give them a reasonable idea of the amount of Soviet Plutonium production.
This had to be kept a secret or the Russians would take steps to hide their emissions. Their cover story was "Weather Research"
The Northern Hemisphere was sampled by Canberra based in UK, Germany and Malta. For Southern Hemisphere testing the Canberra were based in Australia.
The unit initially tasked with this secret mission was 1323 Flight, later renamed 542 Squadron.
Air was drawn in by the starboard engine, tapped off from the 12th compressor stage and then further compressed and stored in a cylinder in the bomb bay.
Operation Likewise was the name given to 1323's secret mission in Australia. The sampling of airborne particles from US nuclear bomb detonations was also carried out. Operation Dogstar involved the collection of samples from the US Castle bomb tests. The two operations shared logistical support at Darwin
Using known yields of British and US devices they would collect samples from Soviet tests and calculate the yields of these.
Following their success in the London to New Zealand Air Race Canberra PR.3s were used as a high speed shuttle "Express Delivery" take the collected samples from Darwin back to UK. These came from 58 Squadron. The Canberras turned out not to be as reliable as required and were replaced with RAF Lincolns as transports

Nuclear Bomb Cloud Sampling Aircraft
Distinct from the atmospheric sampling mentioned above was the actual taking samples from the mushroom clouds of test devices and bombs.
On 14th October 1953 Operation Hotbox proved the feasibility of cloud sampling using manned aircraft in the Operation Totem tests at Emu Field.
76 Squadron RAF became the RAF's dedicated nuclear bomb cloud sampling squadron.
The sampling involved flying through the mushroom clouds and many aircraft and aircrew were exposed to high levels of radiation contamination.
Nuclear debris was initially collected in pods that replaced the tip tanks. Later collection ducts were fitted to the bomb bay doors.
Operations sampled were
Operation Mosaic (May/June 1956) on the Montebello Islands 130kms off the West Australia coast (Operating from RAAF Pearce WA)
Operations Buffalo (September/October 1956) and Antler (September/October 1957) at Maralinga in South Australia. (Operating from RAAF Edinburgh)
Operation Grapple H Bomb tests on Christmas Island (Grapple X November 1957, Grapple Y April 1958 and Grapple Z August and September 1958).
Further tests were carried out at Maralinga involving trigger and detonation devices for Britain's H bomb program.
So successful was the use of the Canberra in both sampling roles that the US Air Force later used the Martin B-57 Canberra again under the disguise of weather research.

Note that there are two locations named Christmas Island. The nuclear tests took place on the then British Christmas Island (Kiritamati) which is part of the Line Island Group in the Pacific Ocean approx 2200km South of Honolulu.
The other Christmas Island is an Australian external territory located in the Indian Ocean 1550km off the north west coast of Australia.

Target Aircraft
At the height of the Cold War it is an indication of how serious the threat to the UK of Soviet nuclear armed bombers was taken that they used relatively new, expensive and front-line aircraft such as the Canberra as target aircraft. Average age at first flight as a U.10 conversion was 7.2 years.
These were used in the development of new weapons such as the Bloodhound, Thunderbird and Sea Slug surface to air missiles (SAMs) to counter this threat. Smaller drones such as the Meteor U.15/U.21 and Jindivik may not of provided a large enough radar target and certainly didn't have the speed, endurance and range of the full size Canberra targets.
Eighteen Canberra B.2s were converted by Short Brothers and Harland in Belfast, Northern Ireland into U.10 unmanned target drones.
The first aircraft (WJ624) was flown in this form on 11th June 1957. It remained in the UK to be later upgraded to U.14/D.14 status.
The remaining seventeen made the one way trip to Woomera where they were operated by the Target Aircraft Squadron within the No.2 Air Trials Unit.
U.10s could be flown with a check pilot aboard who flew it via a supervisory panel installed in the cockpit that, by the use of 13 push buttons, simulated the inputs transmitted to the aircraft when flown unmanned. When flown without a pilot aboard the U.10 was controlled via a VHF link from a control van. The aircraft had an explosive abort device on board in case of emergencies such as loss of contact.
The first target flight was in June 1959 and WD961 was destroyed by a Bloodhound missile while at 50,000 feet.
All seventeen Canberra U.10s at Woomera were either destroyed by missiles or written off in accidents,

Canberra U.10 Woomera Photo via John
Sheehan

RAF Serial	Type	Aircraft History	RAAF Status Card
VX181	PR.3	PR.3 prototype. Built by English Electric 19/03/51 first flight 27-28/01/53 set new London to Darwin record time of 22 hours 9 minutes. 8,608 statute miles at an average speed of 391.2 mph. Crew was FLTLT L M Whittington and FLTLT J A Brown 21/02/53 flown by RAF 58 Squadron Leader R.A.Hosking (RAAF exchange) with FLTLT Brown as navigator at Woomera doing photo runs at 48,000 feet. Suffered from 2x engine cut 23/02/53 continued at Woomera. Flash photos at 30,000 feet. Then Flash photos at 25,000 feet. Flash hung up and was jettisoned. 27/02/53 flown by FLTLT L M Whittington with SQNLDR R.A.Hosking as navigator at Woomera for another two Photo Flash release sorties Return to UK, used as a trials aircraft for the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) 2/01/69 released from A&AEE and equipment transferred to WF922 (which also shows in SQNLDR R.A.Hosking's Logbook) 11/06/69 flown to RAF Pershore for use as a ground training aircraft for emergency services 09/69 broken up and scrapped 1972 burnt. From Guy Hosking “My father SQNLDR RA Hosking (Ronald Albert, S/N O33102) was a Canberra PR.3 pilot with 58 Squadron RAF on exchange from the RAAF. He was involved with the transportation of atomic samples from Darwin to the UK. Initially it was intended that PR.3s would be used to transport the material at high speed but inherent reliability issues meant that piston driven RAF transport aircraft were used instead. It is believed that my father was involved with the transhipment of the material at Darwin between transport aircraft. In later life he suffered from numerous health issues that despite official denial the family believed was due to radiation exposure carrying out these task. He passed away in 1991 aged 71 “	No
WD929	B.2 U.10	First production Canberra built by English Electric c/n 71008. (First of 631 built by English Electric Co. at Preston) 8/10/50 first flight 9/10/50 delivered to RAF as B.2 WD929 19/01/51 the English Electric A.1 Bomber was named "Canberra" by the Australian Prime Minister, Bob Menzies at a ceremony at Biggin Hill 15/07/57 the historical significance of this aircraft was lost when it was converted to an U.10. target drone 19/05/59 allocated to WRE. 30/09/59 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA with installed Avon Mk 1 engines 4759 and 319. 15/10/59 destroyed by missile 07/67 remains sighted at scrapyard at Wingfield, Adelaide Some relics survive with the South Australian Aviation Museum	No Yes
WD935 A84-1	B.2	8/05/51 Built by English Electric 08/05/51 c/n 71015 . Seventh production B.2. Allocated RAF serial WD935. 8/08/51 delivered to Vickers Armstrong's Guided Weapons Division test section 08/08/51. It was selected to be the missile launch platform for the Red Dean missile trials. 27/11/51 RAAF Serial A84-1 allocated 27/11/51 pending aircraft being loaned to Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) for trails on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defense. 5/12/51 RAAF crew Geoff Tuck & Geoff Wilson did a training flight on this at Hurn 5/12/51 prior to delivering A84-2 to Australia. Modified to carry missiles under wings. 10/53 conversion completed 01/54 first test flight with missiles 21/09/55 it suffered brake failure after landing at Wisley airfield and ended up damaged in a field. WD935 remained in the UK and the A84-1 serial was not applied. 23/11/71 served with RAF until going into store at St Athan 1976 allocated Instructional Airframe serial 8440M 09/89 sold at auction 23/11/89 scrapped Nose section on display at the South Yorkshire Aviation Museum Aeroventure Park, Doncaster, UK.	Yes
WD939	B.2	Allocated RAAF serial A84-307. For details see RAAF Canberra page	Yes
WD942 A84-2	B.2	29/05/51 built by English Electric c/n 71024 Allocated RAF serial WD942. 28/09/51 delivered to Vickers Armstrong Aircraft loaned to WRE for trials on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence and allocated RAAF serial A84-2. 12/03/52 Geoff Tuck & Geoff Wilson ferried this aircraft from Hurn to Laverton Flight time to Darwin was a record 20hr 20 mins & to Laverton in 24.20. Average ground speed 450 knots. Geoff Wilson adds "My logbook continually referred to A84-2 but I am pretty sure it carried only the WD942 number. I recall I used callsign MP-RGD on the flight home. Comms were a lot of fun - several times we arrived before the departure signal was received and Bombay would not accept that we were cruising at 48000ft or that we had a ground speed of 450-500 knots! They reckoned my Morse Code was in error! Jets were very rare over India in 1952. The Indonesians were unbelieving also." The starboard tip tank nose was crumpled by a bird strike in the Laverton circuit area. 05/52 the aircraft was taken to Woomera to commence the Blue Boar TV Guided Bomb trials. It may have worn its RAAF serial during this time. 10/53 lent an nose wheel oleo to Canberra A84-201 which was competing in the London to Christchurch Air Race. 3/55 modified for proposed use in the flight trial program of the Red Dean air to air missile. However in early 1956 the Red Dean missile was cancelled and the aircraft was returned to its standard configuration. 6/12/56 returned to Air Ministry charge and reverted to its RAF serial WD942. 21/12/56 to 21/01/57 remained in Australia and was held on a custodial basis at DAP Parafield. It was loaned to de Havilland's at No.12 Joint Services Trials Unit at Woomera 3/10/57 returned to the UK 16/04/62 went to the MoS Air Weapons Research Establishment at Shoeburyness Believed destroyed on the weapons range.	Yes
WD951	U.10	2/11/51 built by English Electric c/n 71033. 6/11/51 Delivered to RAF as B.2 WD951 28/07/58 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 26/03/59 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA with installed Avon Mk 1 engines 404 and 607. 20/07/59 damaged by missile 13/10/59 approved for write off.	Yes
WD953	B.2	23/11/51 built by English Electric c/n 71035. 26/11/51 delivered to RAF as WD953 7/04/55 Allocated to RAAF Edinburgh but never delivered. (RAAF Aircraft Status Card issued but not needed) 1976 perished on fire-dump Bedford UK	Yes
WD954	B.2 T.4	Built by English Electric as a B.2 (13th Production Example.) c/n 71036 . 12/12/51 delivered to RAF Controller of Aircraft C(A) charge 14/05/52 to Aircraft and Armaments Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) for tropical trials in Kenya Returned to RAF charge and converted into a T.4 trainer by the fitment of a new nose section. Served with Station Flight Hemswell, Station Flight Upwood and RAF 76 Squadron 18/12/59 transferred to Edinburgh Field for continuation training for Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) program. 12/2/60 held at 2ATU 19/02/60 issued to Maintenance Squadron (M/S) Edinburgh 10/06/60 held 2ATU 24/06/60 issued ex-2ATU to M/S Edinburgh 15/06/60 issued ex M/S to2ATU (date mistake on status card?) 12/2/61 held 2ATU Unit Equipment Status Report 8/06/61 request allot. for E servicing 30/03/61 to 3AD for E servicing 13/10/61 returned to Edinburgh from 3AD 6/04/62 request allot. to M/S for port engine change 9/04/62 to M/S engine change and modifications 1/05/62 returned to 2ATU from M/S 7/05/62 request allot. for D serving and modifications 28/05/62 to M/S for D1 servicing and modifications 13/08/62 returned to 2ATU from M/S 24/01/63 to M/S for D2 servicing and modifications 13/09/63 to 2ATU ex M/S 18/09/63 to M/S for ????? repair 26/09/63 to ATU ex M/S 21/02/64 to M/S for D3 servicing 12/03/64 to 2ATU ex M/S 23/10/64 to M/s for D4 servicing and mods. 1/03/65 returned to 2ATU ex M/S The "Aircraft and Marine Craft- Record Card" aka Status Card doesn't mention any further servicing after this although there was no doubt more serving was carried out. 12/03/66 held 2ATU 12/04/67 held 2ATU 12/08/68 held 2ATU 11/69 took part in final flypast over 2ATU Officers' Mess (along with WH700 and WK165) 11/03/70 2ATU disbanded It seems that WD954 was either held in storage at Edinburgh or used for Battle Damage Repair training at Salisbury 13/12/70 struck off charge (there appears to have been a big RAAF administrative clean up on that date with many Canberra aircraft incorrectly reported as SOC) 29/07/74 from status card "HQ Edinburgh advised that this item was issued back to BDRSS Salisbury in 1970 and has since been loaned from BDRSS to WRE Salisbury" 07/73 reported to have been used for bomb lethality trials at Edinburgh field resulting in shrapnel damage. We would like to know exactly what, where and when these test involved. The wings were cut off outboard of the engines. 30/11/74 to Pearce Dunn's Warbirds Aviation Museum, Mildura. To South Australian Aviation Museum. Originally plans were for it to be used in the restoration of the museum's B.2 WK165. However in recognition of its own historical significance thought was given that it be restored in its own right. Unfortunately a detailed inspection of the aircraft's condition found it to be unsuitable for such a restoration, The T.4 nose section fitted in 1952 was removed and has been given an excellent restoration by the dedicated team at SAAM (along with some much appreciated assistance from Canberra enthusiast John Sheehan in UK) The remainder of WD954 is at SAAM's remote storage facility. WD954's original B.2 nose owned by Barry Wallond There is a photo taken at Mildura of WD954 wearing a Kangaroo roundel. I suspect this was added after it departed Edinburgh. However it did wear a 2ATU Kangaroo badge on its tail.	Yes
WD961	U.10	21/12/51 built by English Electric c/n 71043. 20/01/52 delivered to RAF as B.2 7/09/58 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 24/11/58 first U.10 transferred to RAAF Reported to be VH-HDP but this could be a misquoted military callsign of VM-HDP. 9/06/59 shot down by a Bloodhound missile	Yes
WD983	B.2	Allocated RAAF serial A84-125. For details see RAAF Canberra page.	Yes
WD999	B.2	30/04/52 built by English Electric 2/05/52 delivered to RAF as WD999 1952 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA and recorded as held by ARDU trails flight. Wore an unique paint scheme. The upper half was standard camouflage and the lower half was painted white 8/11/52 returned to UK via Laverton 15/07/53 one of 600 aircraft that took part in HRH Queen Elizabeth's Coronation Flypast 09/80 scrapped Halton UK	Yes
WE137	PR.3	28/11/52 built by English Electric One of 58 Squadron's PR.3 used to transport 1323 Flight's Atomic Samples to UK The lead lined boxes carrying the sample were carried on a girder structure in the bomb bay (nick named the Forth Bridge) When the Canberra were replaced by Lincolns these same structures were fitted to the Lincolns' bomb bays 15/11/72 struck off charge 5MU To Fire Fighting School at RAF Catterick.	No
WE168	PR.3	9/10/53 built by English Electric Used by 58 Squadron RAF 27/02/54 Flown by SQNLDR R.A.Hosking (RAAF) and SGT Olive (RAF) Wyton to Idris 28/02/54 Idris to Habbanyah 1/03/54 Habbanyah to Mauripur to Negombo 2/03/54 Negombo to Changi 12/03/54 Changi to Darwin 16/03/54 Darwin to Alice Springs to Darwin Used to transport 1323 Flight's Atomic Samples to UK. These flights were made under Ministry of Supply control rather than RAF control 15/05/69 struck off charge 5MU To Fire Fighting School at RAF Manston as 8094M 2/90 scrapped Contents of cockpit used in a "Cockpit Recreation" at Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum UK.	No
WH652	U.10	31/10/52 built by English Electric 31/10/52. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH652. 12/12/61 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 23/02/63 allocated to WRE 16/03/62 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 12/02/64 destroyed by Thunderbird Mk.2 missile . 31/03/64 written off	Yes
WH695	B.2	23/01/53 built by English Electric 19/10/53 1323 Flight founded at RAF Wyton with WH695, WH697, WH701 and WJ573 28/02/54 depart UK for Laverton. Navigator's hatch accidentally blown at the first stop in Libya so returned to UK 10/03/54 recommenced flight to Laverton arriving on 15/03/54 1323 Flight carried out numerous gas sampling sorties during their deployment (130 in 03/54, 112 in 05/54 and 120 in 05/54) 12/06/54 returned to UK at the conclusion of 1323's detachment 20/10/60 to Upwood School of Technical Training as 7657M	No
WH697	B.2	26/01/53 built by English Electric 19/10/53 1323 Flight founded at RAF Wyton with WH695, WH697, WH701 and WJ573 02/54 when WH738 was lost traveling to Operation Dogstar WH697 was used to replace it 11/03/54 force landed on beach at Ailglapalap Atoll in the Marshall Islands Engines salvaged, aircraft towed out to sea and sunk at a depth of 1500 feet Replaced in Operation Dogstar by WH887 Replaced in 1323 Flight by WH884	No
WH700	B.2	30/01/53 built by English Electric 30/01/53. Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH700. 09/09/55 it joined de Havilland to take part in the Blue Jay air to air missile program. (Blue Jay went into production as the Firestreak). 16/10/56 it was allocated to No.12 Joint Services Trials Unit at Woomera 04/02/57 departed UK Used by de Havilland in Blue Jay missile trials. 12/59 transferred to Red Top trials. 1960- used for calibration of Woomera Minitrack station 05/02/60 to 1/12/60 allocated as safety aircraft for Blue Steel program 13/02/70 struck off charge at Woomera To RAAF Edinburgh. 1982 Parafield 1986 used in the movie "Ground Zero" 1990 to Lincoln Nitschke Collection Currently displayed at Greenock, South Australia.	Yes
WH701	B.2	19/10/53 1323 Flight founded at RAF Wyton with WH695, WH697, WH701 and WJ573 28/02/54 depart UK for Laverton arriving 7/03/54 1323 Flight carried out numerous gas sampling sorties during their deployment (130 in 03/54, 112 in 05/54 and 120 in 05/54) 12/06/54 returned to UK at the conclusion of 1323's detachment	No
WH705	U.10	20/02/53 built by English Electric Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH705. 19/04/62 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration . 26/07/62 delivered to Edinburgh the last U.10 received. 28/04/65 crashed while being flown unmanned 30/06/65 approved for write off including installed Avons Nos. 4612 and 4778	Yes
WH710 A84-3	B.2 U.10	27/03/53 built by English Electric c/n 71179. Allocated RAF serial WH710. 2/06/53 arrived at Woomera on loan to WRE 13/06/53 allocated A84-3 Not known if RAAF Serial was applied to aircraft. 07/58 returned to RAF . This aircraft was later converted to a U.10 drone and returned to Australia 22/07/58 to Shorts Belfast for conversion to U.10. 9/08/60 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 30/09/60 dispatched Belfast 30/09/60 for Edinburgh. 17/10/60 arrived at Edinburgh 26/05/65 destroyed by Sea Slug Mk.2 missile at Woomera 22/06/65 approved for write off including installed Avons Nos. 223 and 438.	Yes
WH723	B.2	30/04/53 built by English Electric Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH723. 23/11/53 delivered to RAAF 23/11/55 at Edinburgh SA. 27/11/56 over Woomera at 45,000 ft and 210 KIAS the starboard engine suffered a compressor stall and flame out. Engine No.6830 installed. 27/04/589aircraft was issued to English Electric and returned to UK. Eventually ended up with RAF maintenance serial 7638M. 04/60 to 05/78 served as gate-guard at RAF Upwood, painted as "WJ642" before once again being involved in trials (only as a target I would presume) at AWRE Foulness. 12/90 sold for scrap.	Yes
WH729	U.10	28/05/5 built by English Electric Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH729. 1956 served in Suez crisis against Egypt 20/10/59 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 2/12/59 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 14/04/64 destroyed by Bloodhound Mk.2 missile 20/05/64 written off.	Yes
WH733	U.10	10/07/53 built by English Electric 16/07/53 delivered to RAF on 16/07/53 as B.2 WH733. 30/06/59 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 18/09/59 flew to Australia as VM-HDT 2/10/59 delivered to RAAF 30/11/59 crashed on landing at Woomera 29/01/60 written off (including installed Avons nos. 4725 and 6916) and scrapped. Video of WH733 crashing at Woomera.	Yes
WH738	B.2	8/07/1953 Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH738. It was allocated to the School of Aviation Medicine based at Farnborough UK . 14/10/53 as part of the "Totem" atomic bomb tests at Emu Field it was used for "Operation Hot Box". For the very first time a manned aircraft flew through the atomic bomb mushroom cloud only 6.5 minutes after explosion gathering radiation samples. Due to the high dosages of radiation that the crew received they didn't repeat the flight for the second Totem test. Wing Commander G Dhenin (Pilot), Wing Commander E W Anderson (Navigator), Group Captain D A Wilson (Observer) It was later to be used on Operation Dogstar, along with WH881 collecting samples from the US "Castle" atomic tests at Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls 23/02/54 WH738 disappeared on a flight between Momote & Kwajalein. Despite a large scale search including RAAF Lincolns aircraft and crew of Flight Lieutenant Garside (pilot), Flying Officer Naldreth (navigator) and Flight Sergeant Dormer (passenger) were never seen again, presumably lost after ditching in the Pacific Ocean. Replaced by WH697 that was also lost (see above) and then by WH887	No
WH742	U.10	14/08/3 built by English Electric Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH742. 1956 served in Suez crisis against Egypt 11/12/59 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 4/01/60 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 17/07/62 destroyed by Thunderbird Mk.2 missile 17/07/62. 8/08/62 written off including installed Avons Nos. 4796 and 4710. Nose reported at RAF Shawbury Fire Station, 1986? (needs confirmation)	Yes
WH793	PR.7 PR.9(HA)	23/04/54 originally built as a PR.7 by English Electric Preston 26/05/54 to Napiers on MoS charge. Modified as the prototype PR.9 HA (High Altitude) with a longer wing chord centre section, RA.24 Avon engines and longer span outer wings. 8/07/55 first flight in its new configuration. The modifications enabled it to easily reach 55,000 ft 18/09/56 Test pilot Roland Beamont coaxed it up to 59,800 ft but that was its absolute limit 8/03/61 to RAE Aero Department, Bedford for gust trials 04/65 departs RAE Bedford for USA along with XH568 for Project Rough Rider 05/65 - 06/65 to Tinker AFB Oklahoma investigating gusts and turbulence near and above thunderstorms 01/67 to NASA Ames Research Centre 1972 (dates?) detachment to Australia to investigate the life cycle of jet stream turbulence 20/06/72 to Indian National Aeronautical Laboratory Bangalore for monsoon trials 9/10/72 returned to RAE 10/08/73 to BAC Fairford as Concorde chase aircraft 11/03/75 to Farnborough for storage 24/04/75 struck off charge 30/09/1979 scrapped at Farnborough Fuselage sections adorned with artwork from its world travels are held by Darren Headland and displayed at the South Yorkshire Aviation Museum	No
WH7??	PR.7	The aircraft of the RAF's Far East Air Force (FEAF) were regular visitors to Australia for exercises with the RAAF This much publicised photo (below) was taken in June 1968 during Exercise High Jupiter At the front of the line of RAAF Canberra and Mirages is an RAF PR.7 from 81 Squadron based at Tengah I have so far not been able to determine its serial	No
WH860	U.10	30/04/53 built by Shorts (one of 144 built by Short Brothers & Harland at Belfast). Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH860. 1956 served in Suez crisis against Egypt 10/04/62 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 18/04/62 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 24/11/64 destroyed by Sea Slug Mk.2 missile 15/12/64 written off with Installed Avons Nos. 6842 and 6848	Yes
WH884	B.2	04/54 to 1323 Flight at Laverton replacing WH697 (which was previously lost on its way to replace WH738) 7/05/54 WH884 becomes the first jet aircraft to land at Mildura. A man and a women in flying suits left the aircraft and met a man who drove them away in a car. Rumors prevailed that it was the Russian spies Mr and Mrs Petrov. The truth was not as exciting, an RAF Officer and his fiance (an RAAF nurse) were picked up by the nurse's father. Not sure if you would get away with that sort of thing today. (See photos for copies of Newspaper stories) 1323 Flight carried out numerous gas sampling sorties during their deployment (130 in 03/54, 112 in 05/54 and 120 in 05/54) 12/06/54 returned to UK at the conclusion of 1323's detachment	No
WH885	U.10	30/12/53 built by Shorts Brothers and Harland, Belfast Delivered to RAF as B.2 WH885. 10/04/62 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 9/06/62 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 1/04/64 crashed 19/05/64 written off including Avon No. 4670. Avon No. 4623 disposed of as a spare.	Yes
WH946	B.6	29/10/54 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 10/55 1323 Flight merged with 542 Squadron and moved to RAF Weston Zoyland in 12/55 01/56 542 Squadron allocated four B.6s for Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" 02/56 the four B.6s arrive from being modified at 49 MU and form 542 Squadron C Flight 03/56 C Flight depart for Australia. WH946 was based at Laverton along with WH949. (WH957 & WH966 based at Darwin) 19/03/57 announced that Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" that was due to finish 04/57 extended for another 12 months. 12/57 it was announced that the Darwin Detachment would be withdrawn from 1/04/58 04/58 WH957 & WH966 transferred from Darwin allowing WH946 & WH949 to return to UK for servicing 06/58 on its way back to Australia it stopped at Singapore for a series of samplings. Operation "Hot Toddy/Leda" 07/58 WH946 returned to Laverton allowing WH966 to return to UK 1/01/59 Laverton flight disbanded and WH946 transferred to 76 Squadron at Edinburgh 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 Saw further service with 21 SQN, SF Coningsby 15/02/72 allocated Ground Instructional Airframe 8185M 1988 nose to Hemswell Aviation Society	No
WH949	B.6	5/11/54 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 10/55 1323 Flight merged with 542 Squadron and moved to RAF Weston Zoyland in 12/55 01/56 542 Squadron allocated four B.6s for Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" 02/56 the four B.6s arrive from being modified at 49 MU and form 542 Squadron C Flight 03/56 C Flight depart for Australia. WH949 was based at Laverton along with WH946. (WH957 & WH966 based at Darwin) 19/03/57 announced that Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" that was due to finish 04/57 extended for another 12 months. 12/57 it was announced that the Darwin Detachment would be withdrawn from 1/04/58 04/58 WH957 & WH966 transferred from Darwin allowing WH946 & WH949 to return to UK for servicing 09/58 WH949 returned to Laverton allowing WH957 to return to UK 1/01/59 Laverton flight disbanded and WH949 transferred to 76 Squadron at Edinburgh 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 Saw further service with 21 SQN, SF Coningsby and BCDU Finningley 7/09/70 Struck Off Charge at 15.MU	No
WH952	B.6	27/01/55 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 13/01/71 to WRE Woomera for BL755 cluster bomb release trials 13/04/71 to REA, used as MRCA (Tornado) chase aircraft 9/06/76 to REA Bedford for Apprentice Training 13/07/76 struck off charge 04/82 withdrawn from use at Bedford 16/04/86 transported by road to Woolwich for preservation	No
WH953	B.6	28/01/55 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 02/02/55 to RRE Defford for Al Mk.20 installation and trials 1956-1958 RRE Pershore for long nose conversion, 1958-1977 used on various test and trial duties inc. A1 radar for Tornado 16/12/76 to RSRE Bedford 10/69 used for JP236 AEW trials with EARS radar 1988 Project Carla involved the fitting of a Multispectral Infra Red Camera (MUSIC) to the forward bomb bay 08/98 flown to NAS Alameda near San Francisco to demonstrate the sensor including recording an AGM-84E missile launch 07/91 flown to RAAF Townsville for tropical tests. IR measurements of RAAF F-111, F/A-18 Hornet and P3-c Orion were added to the database as well as ground targets, ship wakes and chemical plumes. This was probably the last visit to Australia by and active RAF Canberra (as distinct from the civilian registered WJ680) 09/92 to 10/93 Dual Wave Imaging Radiometer (DUWIR) tests were carried out using WH953 Late 1994 dismantled at Farnborough. A lot of her parts went to help keep WK163 flying Nose currently at the Blythe Valley Collection, Walpole Suffolk. WH953 spent forty years on various tests and trials.	No
WH957	B.6	31/01/55 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 10/55 1323 Flight merged with 542 Squadron and moved to RAF Weston Zoyland in 12/55 01/56 542 Squadron allocated four B.6s for Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" 02/56 the four B.6s arrive from being modified at 49 MU and form 542 Squadron C Flight 03/56 C Flight depart for Australia. WH957 was based at Darwin along with WH966. (WH946 & WH949 based at Laverton) 19/03/57 announced that Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" that was due to finish 04/57 extended for another 12 months. 12/57 it was announced that the Darwin Detachment would be withdrawn from 1/04/58 04/58 WH957 & WH966 transferred to Laverton allowing WH946 & WH949 to return to UK for servicing 11/04/58 WH957 required a refueling stop at Alice Springs on its flight Darwin to Laverton. Embarrassingly the Canberra landed at the old "Townsite" airstrip instead of the longer modern "7 Mile" strip Fortunately a very light Canberra was able to take off in the cool air the following morning for the short hop to where the Canberra was supposed to land 09/58 WH946 returned to Laverton allowing WH957 to return to UK Sampling equipment removed at 49 MU Later converted to B.15 Later converted to E.15 01/82 to St Athan store 30/07/85 Ground Instructional Airframe at No.2 School of Technical Training 11/85 allocated 8869M 09/91 offered for sale Cockpit section currently on display at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre	No
WH961	B.6 B.15	25/02/55 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast Converted to B.15 03/66 45 Sqn. had only three Nord AS.30 capable Canberra. The first was WH977 followed by WH961 and WT213. Four Exercise Hotshots were carried out, two at Labuan and two at Woomera. A total of 128 AS.30 missiles were fired. Retired to No.1 School of Technical Training 16/05/69 sold to BAC for refurbishment. Carried "Trade plate" registration G27-178 11/70 delivered to Indian Air Force as B.66 IF1022.	No
WH962	B.6	Built by Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast Delivered to RAF as B.6 WH962 2/03/55 Belonged to the School of Aviation Medicine based at Farnborough UK . Incorrectly reported as being used for Operation Hot Box in 1953 (WH962 wasn't built until 1955 so couldn't of been possible) Transferred to 76 Squadron and used in atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 29/09/71 Struck Off Charge and ended its days being used for fire-fighting training at RAF Catterick.	No
WH966	B.6	30/03/55 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 10/55 1323 Flight merged with 542 Squadron and moved to RAF Weston Zoyland in 12/55 01/56 542 Squadron allocated four B.6s for Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" 02/56 the four B.6s arrive from being modified at 49 MU and form 542 Squadron C Flight t 03/56 C Flight depart for Australia. WH966 was based at Darwin along with WH957. (WH946 & WH949 based at Laverton) 19/03/57 announced that Operation "Hot Toddy/Unsparing" which was due to finish 04/57 extended for another 12 months. 12/57 it was announced that the Darwin Detachment would be withdrawn from 1/04/58 04/58 WH957 & WH966 transferred to Laverton allowing WH946 & WH949 to return to UK for servicing 07/58 WH946 returned to Laverton allowing WH966 to return to UK Sampling equipment removed at 49 MU Later converted to B.15 20/09/76 Struck Off Charge RAF Marham.	No
WH976	B.6	Built by Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast Delivered to RAF as B.6 WH976 12/08/55 10/56 one of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 11/10/56 flew through mushroom cloud of the third Buffalo atomic test "Kite" at Maralinga (Blue Danube device) 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 29/11/71 Struck Off Charge at No.15 Maintenance Unit Wroughton, UK To fire-fighting training at RAF Catterick perished by 1973.	No
WH977	B.6 B.15	26/08/55 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast Converted to B.15 03/66 45 Sqn. had only three Nord AS.30 capable Canberra. The first was WH977 followed by WH961 and WT213. Four Exercise Hotshots were carried out, two at Labuan and two at Woomera. A total of 128 AS.30 missiles were fired. 1/01/74 SOC 19 MU To Fire Fighting Service Catterick.	No
WH978	B.6	Built by Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 4/08/55 delivered to RAF as B.6 WH978 One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 27/09/56 flew through mushroom cloud of the first Buffalo atomic test "One Tree" at Maralinga (Red Beard device) 4/10/56 flew through mushroom cloud of the second Buffalo atomic test "Marco" at Maralinga (Blue Danube device) 28/11/57 the crew of WH978 reported seeing an UFO (see photos for report) 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 1/10/71 Struck Off Charge at No.15 Maintenance Unit Wroughton, UK	No
WH979	B.6	Built by Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 2/09/55 delivered to RAF as B.6 WH979 One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 27/09/56 flew through mushroom cloud of the first Buffalo atomic test "One Tree" at Maralinga (Red Beard device) In our photo the grease like anti-radiation barrier coating can be seen 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 1/10/71 Struck of charge at No.15 Maintenance Unit Wroughton, UK	No
WH980	B.6	Built by Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast 2/09/55 delivered to RAF as B.6 WH980 02/09/55 One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 28/04/58 flew through the mushroom cloud of the Operation Grapple Y test. Due to a faulty dosimeter WH980 was inside the cloud for 6 minutes, 4 minutes longer than it should have been. The crew was estimated to have received the same radiation dose as 6,500 full body X-rays On landing WH980 set off alarms in every every Geiger counter. It was ordered to be parked at the far end of the runway. WH980 was reported as being one of the "hottest" Canberra. The crew however were ordered to fly the contaminated aircraft on a radar calibration flight the very next day. 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 6/06/60 noted at RAF North Weald 1/10/71 Struck Off Charge at No.15 Maintenance Unit Wroughton, UK . Grapple Y is described as being Britain's most powerful bomb tested (approx 3 megatonnes of TNT). It was a thermonuclear (hydrogen) bomb rather than a fission (atomic) bomb The pilot was SQNLDR Eric Denson. The resultant 18 years of ongoing serious health issues caused him to take his own life in 1976, aged 44 leaving behind a wife and 4 children.	No
WJ573	B.2	22/05/53 awaiting collection at Handley Page, Radlett 19/10/53 1323 Flight founded at RAF Wyton with WH695, WH697, WH701 and WJ573 28/02/54 depart UK for Laverton arriving 7/03/54 1323 Flight carried out numerous gas sampling sorties during their deployment (130 in 03/54, 112 in 05/54 and 120 in 05/54) 29/05/54 returned to UK at the conclusion of 1323's detachment Continued serving with 542, SF Upwood, Swifter Flight 20/10/60 instructional aircraft Technical College Henlow as 7656M 09/63 to RAF Museum Henlow 13/08/74 sold as scrap Henlow	No
WJ604	U.10	31/08/53 built by Handley Page (one of 75 built by Handley Page Aircraft at Radlett). Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ604. 1956 served in Suez crisis against Egypt. 20/11/59 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 22/12/59 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 18/02/64 crashed due to control failure. 31/03/64 written off	Yes
WJ621	U.10	27/02/54 built by Handley Page Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ621. 22/01/60 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 10/03/60 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 17/12/64 crashed on approach 10/02/65 written off.	Yes
WJ623	U.10	21/01/54 built by Handley Page Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ623. 11/03/60 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 16/05/60 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 12/12/63 destroyed by Bloodhound Mk.2 missile 20/01/64 written off.	Yes
WJ624	U.10	31/03/54 built by Handley Page Delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ624 6/09/55 arrived at Belfast to be converted to U.10 trials aircraft for use at Woomera. 11/06/57 first flight after a 21 month conversion to U.10 configuration Was not sent to Woomera and underwent trials at RAE Bedford and Llandebr, Wales. Later converted to U.14/D.14 for Royal Navy. 1964 derelict at Belfast .	No
WJ644	B.2	23/09/54 built by Handley Page 27/09/54 delivered to MoS and joined de Havilland on Blue Jay missile program. Modified to carry missile under wing and fitted with a radar nose 16/09/55 it was allocated to WRE. 18/10/55 it was due to be delivered in Feb or June 1956. RAAF Status Card has no further info. 1958 modified from Blue Jay test spec to become a test firing aircraft for the Red Top missile over Aberporth range in UK 17/03/65 sold to BAC 1966 dismantled at Samlesbury. 12/90 scrapped.	Yes
WJ678	B.2	31/01/55 awaiting collection Handley Page, Radlett 19/10/83 written off to Battle Damage Repair Abingdon as 8864M 1994 scrapped Cockpit section was rescued from RAF Abingdon dump and restored Imported into Australia by a private collector Currently on display at the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Museum, NSW.	No
WJ680	TT.18	25/03/55 awaiting collection Handley Page, Radlett. Registered G-BURM 10/08/01 departed RAF Marham on delivery flight to Temora Aviation Museum NSW Painted as RAAF Canberra A84-234. Registered VH-ZQN (as in 2SQN) Has not been flown for a number of years but it currently undergoing a major overhaul. It is planned that it will return to flying in 2021 for the 100th Anniversary of the RAAF	No
WJ725	B.2	14/10/53 awaiting collection at English Electric, Preston Served with various squadrons 04/06/58 to Marshalls at Cambridge for installation of special parachute assembly to stabilise a man-dummy during free-fall from high altitude. 18/11/58 received at RAAF Edinburgh for flight trials of parachute. Installed Avons Nos.1088 and 960. 14/06/60 returned to UK . 30/06/60 to Marshalls to be returned to standard 30/06/90 sold for scrap Cambridge	Yes
WJ754	B.6	First production Canberra B.6 26/01/54 First Flight 26/02/54 awaiting collection, English Electric Preston to Ministry of Air air fleet 6/04/54 to A&AEE 30/04/54 Cat.3 damage One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 22/10/56 flew through mushroom cloud of the fourth Buffalo atomic test "Breakaway" at Maralinga (Red Beard device) 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding 12/60 To 1439 Flight 14/11/67 sold to BAC Civil Reg G27-98 19/03/69 delivered to Peru as B(I)56 Serial 241.	No
WJ757	B.6	30/03/54 awaiting collection from English Electric at Preston One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding 12/60 14/11/67 sold to BAC Civil Reg G27-97 3/03/69 delivered to Peru as B(I)56 Serial 240.	No
WJ815	PR.7	One of 58 Squadron's PR'7s used in the Operation Grapple test on Christmas Island. It doesn't really qualify for inclusion because I can find no evidence that they were ever in Australia (unlike 76 Squadron's B.6s) However I have included WJ815 to represent the important tasks that the PR.7s of 58 Squadron carried out during the tests. (and because it has a beautiful picture to include!) They were used for pre-detonation high altitude meteorological reporting, photography of detonation and resultant cloud and post detonation target zone reconnaissance. They were also used for transporting the cloud samples collected by 76 Squadron's B.6s quickly back to the UK. This was not without its risks and on 16/05/57 PR.7 WH790 crashed on approach to Goose Bay killing the crew (PLTOFF John Loomes FLGOFF TR "Monty" Montgomery).	No
WJ822	PR.7	One of 100 Squadron Recce Detachment's PR'7s used in the Operation Grapple test on Christmas Island. It doesn't really qualify for inclusion because I can find no evidence that they were ever in Australia (unlike 76 Squadron's B.6s) However I have included WJ822 to represent the important tasks that the PR.7s of 100 Squadron carried out during the tests. 100 Sqn's PR.7s arrived in early 03/57; the first to arrive was WJ822 piloted by Sqn Ldr Hammatt They were used for pre-detonation high altitude meteorological reporting, photography of detonation and resultant cloud and post detonation target zone reconnaissance. They were also used for transporting the cloud samples collected by 76 Squadron's B.6s quickly back to the UK. The Recce Detachment of 100 Squadron disbanded in 08/57 with its aircraft handed to 58 Squadron along with some crews and they continued tasks associated with Operation Grapple.	No
WJ978	B.2	17/07/53 awaiting collection A.V.Roe & Co, Woodford 29/03/56 to de Havilland Propellers Hatfield for Blue Jay trials 14/05/57 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 30/05/57 to 12JSTU at WRE 07/03/58 suffered a starboard engine flame out and was forced to make an emergency asymmetric landing 11/04/58 to Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for starboard engine change 30/12/59 re-allocated to Red Top and Jindivik trials 1960- used for calibration of Woomera Minitrack station 05/02/60 instrument checking and Blue Steel range safety aircraft . 28/04/62 Red Top trials . The RAAF status card shows a number of engine changes and specialist trials modifications being carried out. 31/07/62 struck off charge . 25/02/63 issued to Maintenance Squadron, Edinburgh for removal, inhibiting and storage of engines, removal of special modifications as applicable, recovery of all establishment loan items and serviceable spares which may be used on other Canberra aircraft. Conversion of remainder of airframe to produce. 12/02/64 status report shows held at M/Sqn Edinburgh	Yes
WJ987	U.10	30/09/53 awaiting collection at Avro. 16/10/53 delivered to RAF as B.2 WJ987. 4/02/58 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration (second aircraft converted) 14/03/59 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 17/10/59 shot down by missile . 13/11/59 written off including installed Avons Nos. 618 and 242.	Yes
WK107	U.10	22/01/54 awaiting collection at Avro 14/02/54 delivered to RAF as B.2 WK107. 1956 served in Suez crisis against Egypt. 29/09/60 to Shorts Belfast for conversion to U.10 28/01/62 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 24/03/62 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 17/11/65 destroyed by Thunderbird Mk.2 missile. 22/12/65 written off including installed Avons Nos. 870 and 6895.	Yes
WK110	U.10	29/01/54 awaiting collection at Avro 14/02/54 delivered to RAF as B.2 WK110. 19/03/59 to Shorts Belfast for conversion to U.10 20/04/60 first flight after conversion to U.10 configuration 09/06/60 delivered to RAAF at Edinburgh SA. 23/11/62 crashed after Bloodhound Mk.2 missile strike 23/04/63 written off	Yes
WK135	B.2	20/08/54 awaiting collection at Avro 25/08/54 delivered to RAF as WK135 25/08/54 joined de Havilland on Blue Jay missile program. Modified to carry missile under wing and fitted with a radar nose 16/09/55 allocated to WRE 07/12/56 delivered to RAAF at No.12 Joint Service Trials Unit Edinburgh SA 18/11/58 returned to UK for modifications for Red Top trials 1966 used for (non flying) runway slush trials suffering damage to various lower sections and components 27/01/67 struck off charge 1969 to fire dump Pershore minus nose section and scrapped. Salvaged B.2 cockpit/nose section of this aircraft was fitted to WT327 (1969-70) and then WT333 (from 1976 to now)	Yes
WK165	B.2	28/02/55 awaiting collection at Avro 7/03/55 delivered to RAF 05/03/56 transferred to WRE Edinburgh Field for Air Trials Unit (after 03/58 became 2ATU) Used for flying radar calibration and ranging tasks out of Woomera. Also used for airborne photography of weapons (including Operation Buffalo Atomic Bomb Tests) 13/02/70 struck off charge at RAAF Edinburgh . 09/02/85 to Eureka Aviation Museum Ballarat, Vic. Was in open display and suffered from vandalism and the elements 06/97 acquired by South Australian Aviation Museum Has undergone major restoration. Currently on display SAAM, Port Adelaide, SA.	Yes
WT206	B.6	30/11/55 awaiting collection at Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. As bomb yields increased so did the height of the mushroom clouds. In order to reach these new heights in late 1957 WT206 was returned to UK to be fitted with a Napier Double Scorpion rocket engine in the bomb bay. 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 Continued service with 51, 58 45 squadrons 31/10/71 sold to BAC Woughton and scrapped.	No
WT207	B.6	30/11/55 awaiting collection at Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for use in atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. As bomb yields increased so did the height of the mushroom clouds. In order to reach these new heights in late 1957 WT207 was returned to UK to be fitted with a Napier Double Scorpion rocket engine in the bomb bay. 9/04/1958 after taking off from RAF Hemswell the aircraft was at 45.000 ft when the rocket engines were ignited. WT207 reached 60,000 ft. The aircraft descended to 56,000 ft when the rocket was re-ignited. Within seconds the rocket engine exploded ripping the aircraft apart, The crew managed to eject and in the process set a new world record for height of an ejection. Surprisingly the entire tail section landed as shown in our photo.	No
WT208	B.6	23/01/56 awaiting collection at Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast One of 76 SQN RAF Canberra B.6s flown to Australia for use in atomic cloud sampling 76 SQN based initially at RAAF Pearce WA, then moved to RAAF Edinburgh SA and finally Christmas Island. This was also returned to UK late 1957 to be fitted with a de Havilland Spectre rocket engine. 01/58 conversion was completed (before that of WT207) 03/58 ferried back to Christmas Island Due to the accident that happened to WT207 the rocket engine was not used. In fact WT208 took no further part in the tests and after return to UK and was returned to standard. 12/59 RAF 76 Squadron returned to UK based at Upwood until disbanding in 12/60 Converted to B.15 30/11/67 sold to BAC Woughton 3/02/69 delivered to Peruvian Air Force as B(I)56 serial 239	No
WT213	B.6 B.15	30/03/56 awaiting collection Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast Converted to B.15 03/66 45 Sqn. had only three Nord AS.30 capable Canberra. The first was WH977 followed by WH961 and WT213. Four Exercise Hotshots were carried out, two at Labuan and two at Woomera. A total of 128 AS.30 missiles were fired. 17/03/69 Cat.5 accident. Another reference states that severe cracking in the centre fuselage section wing mountings lead to its grounding 22/04/69 SOC.	No
WT333	B(I)8	21/03/56 built by English Electric 24/05/66, wearing standard RAF camouflage, it was sent to 12 Joint Services Trials Unit at WRE for a series of weapons trials. 30/05/66 received at 2ATU . Installed Avons nos. 5903 and 5826. 28/11/66 sent to GAF for incorporation of WRE trial modifications including painting (in its overall white scheme), payload deployment, trial and guidance and trial looming installation Modifications included an Ikara test body under the port wing to test the airborne release of torpedoes. Cameras were carried under the starboard wing and in the port flare housing. These trials were flown from Avalon, near Melbourne Interestingly the RAAF Aircraft Status Card reads "no RAAF funds involved". 31/05/67 45 minute air test 2/06/67 to 2ATU from GAF 28/06/67 port Avon 109 engine No. 5903 replaced with engine No. 5713 5/02/68 completed service with 2ATU 17/07/69 it was returned by an RAAF crew to the Royal Radar Establishment at Pershore, UK Alan Stephens (now Dr Alan Stephens, military historian) was the navigator for the flight It carried a 2ATU Kangaroo badge on its tail 08/69 to RNAS Culdrose for continuation of Ikara torpedo separation trials 1976 converted to long nose B(I)8/B.6 (mod) configuration with a B.2 section off WK135 (see above) replacing the original offset B(I)8 cockpit that she had during her time in Australia Allocated the civil registration G-BVXC which it still holds "because they can!" Wears a distinctive Royal Aircraft Establishment red, blue and white "raspberry ripple" paint scheme Powered by two Avon 109 engines it carries out fast taxi demonstrations Preserved by dedicated enthusiasts in high speed taxying condition at Bruntingthorpe, UK Link to WT333's website "Tails from Australia"	Yes
WT491	T.4	Allocated RAAF serial A84-501. For details see RAAF Canberra page.	Yes
WT492	T.4	Allocated RAAF serial A84-502. For details see RAAF Canberra page.	Yes
XH568	B.6	10/58 acquired by RAE Structures Department Fitted with a 3.6 metre nose boom 09/59 to 02/62 used for research into low altitude turbulence and gusts 1962 investigation changed to Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) up in the jet streams above Scotland and Wales 07/63 detached to Project TOPCAT over southern Australia measuring CAT in the sub-tropical jet stream 10/63 returned to UK via Uganda. XH568 continued in similar roles in USA and UK 05/65 - 06/65 to Tinker AFB Oklahoma along with WH793 for Project Rough Rider investigating gusts and turbulence in and near thunderstorms 06/67 returned to standard configuration XH568's original B.6 nose was fitted to WK163 XH568 was fitted with long nose off WG788. Designation changed to B.6 (Mod.) This nose was later removed and exported to USA and the remainder of aircraft scrapped at Bruntingthorpe.	No

No.1 ATU and No.2 ATU

In March 1958 the ATU was split into two sections;
No.1 ATU based at RAAF Woomera and Evetts Field (40km NW of RAAF Woomera)
No.2 ATU based at Edinburgh Airfield

The two ATUs were responsible for all the aircraft used in support of the various projects undertaken at Woomera
Examples being
4 Joint Services Trials Unit (4 JSTU) Blue Steel trials
8 JSTU Red Duster and Red Shoes trials
12 JSTU Blue Jay trails
13 JSTU Red Top trails
15 JSTU Bloodhound trials
16 JSTU Thunderbird trials
21 JSTU Rapier trials
23 JSTU Blindfire trials
25 JSTU Seawolf trials

(Not all the above trials necessarily involved Canberra aircraft)

This page written and updated by Martin Edwards

Reference List

RAAF Aircraft Status Cards

Andrew Brookes "Canberra Units of the Cold War"
Roland Beaumont and Arthur Reed "English Electric Canberra"
Ken Delve, Peter Green and John Clemons "English Electric Canberra"
Dave Forster "Black Box Canberras" and "Sniffing and Bottling"
Squadron Leader R.A.Hosking's Logbook extracts
Barry Jones "English Electric Canberra and Martin B-57"
Peter Morton "Fire Across the Desert"

100 Squadron Association website
542 Squadron website
Air Britain website
Aircrashes website; Crash of WT207
Australian participants in British nuclear tests in Australia
The Aviation Photo Company
Canberra WT333 operating team website
English Electric Canberra Tribute Website
Flying Guinea Pigs Article by Joe Pasquini
Geoff Goodall's website
List of ex-trials aircraft disposal
Mersyside Aviation Society
RAF Seletar website
Temora Aviation Museum website,
UK Serials website

Thanks for information supplied by; Chris Cawdron, Brendan Cowan, Guy Hosking, Wayne Lee, Stephan C Reglar, John Sheehan.
Thanks again to John Sheehan for sharing his extensive collection of Canberra photos.
A special thank you to the late John Hopton for supplying previously unseen photos of U.10 operations.

*Canberra Image gallery
Images are used either with the permission of the photographer or under the "Fair Use" provisions on the Australian Copyright Act.
If your photo has been used and you wish attribution credits to be added or the photograph removed please contact us at;

Updated 1st December 2018

It is our policy to only show historical events, no current operational information will be displayed on this website.
"The ADF-Serials team give permission to use the content of this page, excluding images, providing that it contains an acknowledgement to the adf-serials team and any other listed sources."