Difference between revisions of "Canberra B Mk 2"

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{{Specs-Card|code=canberra_bmk2}}
+
{{About
{{Notice|''This page is about the aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For other uses, see [[Canberra_(Disambiguation)|Canberra (Disambiguation)]]''}}
+
| about = British jet bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Canberra (Family)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=canberra_bmk2
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]].
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,000 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 +
|-
 +
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 +
|-
 +
! Stock
 +
| 835 || 809 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.9 || 27.6 || 14.8 || 13.4 || rowspan="2" | 750
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| 915 || 880 || 25.4 || 26.0 || 25.7 || 20.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
 +
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 +
|-
 +
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 498 || 469 || 320 || ~7 || ~3
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 +
|-
 +
| < 590 || < 550 || < 500 || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Engine performance ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine
 +
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
 +
! colspan="3" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.101 || 2
 +
| colspan="3" | 10,300 kg || colspan="3" | 171 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
 +
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
 +
! 15m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 50m fuel
 +
|-
 +
| 800 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
 +
| 11,800 kg || 12,280 kg || 13,240 kg || 14,680 kg || 15,160 kg || 20,865 kg
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
 +
! colspan="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
 +
|-
 +
! Condition || 100% || WEP
 +
! 15m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 50m fuel || MTOW
 +
|-
 +
| ''Stationary'' || 2,850 kgf || N/A
 +
| 0.48 || 0.46 || 0.43 || 0.39 || 0.38 || 0.27
 +
|-
 +
| ''Optimal'' || 2,850 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || N/A
 +
| 0.48 || 0.46 || 0.43 || 0.39 || 0.38 || 0.27
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* No armour plating
 +
* No armour glazing
 +
* Critical components located at the fuselage of the aircraft (fuel, pilot, controls)
 +
* Engines in wings
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
+
=== Suspended armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|H.C. 4,000 lb Mk.II (4,000 lb)}}
  
=== Suspended armament ===
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
=== Defensive armament ===
+
* 9 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (4,500 lb total)
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
+
* 6 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (6,000 lb total)
 +
* 1 x H.C. 4,000 lb Mk.II bomb + 2 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (6,000 lb total)
  
== Usage in the battles ==
+
== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
Climbing high to around 10 kilometres will save you from most predators and AA fire in both AB and RB as the Canberra has one of the best climb rates and high-alt performances in the game. Watch out for the [[Me 163 B|Me 163]] and [[Ki-200]], who can climb to you easily thanks to their Rocket Engines. A common strategy by Canberras (and B-57s, as they are the same airframe) is to head to one base, drop all payload on such base and then running for their lives. Using the 6 x 1,000 lb payload is recommended for usage on bases while 1 x 4,000 lb + 2 x 1,000 lb payload works best when used on airfields.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
*
+
 
 +
* Good stock engine power
 +
* Good stock acceleration speed
 +
* Powerful airbrakes
 +
* Good top speed for such a large aircraft
 +
* Decent payload
 +
* High service ceiling(max. altitude)
 +
* Great climb rate
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
*
+
 
 +
* May rip wings by going straight for a while without intelligent use of air-brakes
 +
* Likely to be a big target for fighter aircraft with an air-spawn and be engaged first.
 +
* Slower than most fighters, which means you will be caught up by all jets that chase you
 +
* An easy target for anything with guns that can go over 800 km/h
 +
* First few fights will be running to a base, bombing the base and ending up dead by enemy jets.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
The Canberra B Mk.2 was created in 1949 to replace the Mosquito fast bomber. It was designed to have outstanding high altitude performance and speed, being unparalleled for 10 years. Despite the RAF originally  expecting the Canberra to be obsolete within a few years of entering service, so much so that work to develop a replacement (eventually leading to the TSR-2) was started before it had even entered service, it would go on to be one of the RAF's longest serving aircraft. The Canberra remined in front line service with the RAF until its retirement in 2006, some 55 years after it first entered service (although it spent a lot of that time in the photo-reconnaissance role, as opposed to its original purpose as a bomber). The Canberra was replaced in the strategic bomber role by the Valiant (and other V-bombers), and in the strike role by the Buccaneer (following the cancellation of the TSR-2 programme). It established a world altitude record of 21,430 m in 1957 and was the first jet-powered aircraft to make a non-stop transatlantic flight.
 +
 
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
Whilst the United States and the Soviet Union were, in many ways, running ahead of Britain during the early development of jet fighters, Britain would at least keep up if not forge ahead with its very first jet bomber – the legendary English Electric Canberra.
 +
 
 +
The origins of the Canberra lay in 1944 when the Air Ministry called for a replacement for the de Havilland Mosquito in the light bomber role – a fast, agile tactical bomber was required by RAF Bomber Command to move into the jet age. English Electric set to work under Chief Engineer WEW Petter, who envisaged a bomber built around straight wings of a large area, and two of the new Rolls-Royce Avon jet engines. The prototype first flew in May 1949, with Typhoon-ace Roland Beamont at the controls. The Chief Test Pilot remarked that the aircraft was practically free of vices and possessed an agility that was reminiscent of a fighter rather than a bomber.
 +
 
 +
After various modifications were made, including the addition of a glass nose for a bomb aimer, the first production variant – the B Mk.2 - entered service in 1951 with No.101 Squadron. The Canberra was able to reach speeds of some 560 mph and reach heights of 48,000 feet whilst maintaining the capacity to carry 6000 lbs of ordnance. A series of modified Canberra B Mk.2s set a succession of world altitude records, culminating in August 1957 with a staggering 70,310 feet. It was a Canberra that saw victory at the Last Great Air Race from London to Christchurch in 1953. With a range of approximately 2600 miles, the Canberra was considered a tactical rather than a strategic bomber.
 +
 
 +
The Canberra was popular with its aircrew due to its performance, popular with ground crews due to its relatively simple maintenance schedule and also popular with Command due to its relatively low cost. Over 400 Canberra B Mk.2's were built until uprated engines led to the development of its successor, the B Mk.6, which entered service in the summer of 1954. As squadrons received the newer model, the now older B Mk.2 saw service with the RAF in Germany, Cyprus and the Far East, although the variant did serve successfully in the Suez Crisis of 1956. A small number of export variants of the B Mk.2 also saw service with the United States as a template for building under license as the Martin B-57, Australia and Venezuela.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=britain&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=jet_bomber&vehicle=canberra_bmk2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
''ETC.''
 
  
== Sources ==
+
;Related development
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
* [[Canberra (Family)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/648|[Devblog] Canberra Mk2]]
 +
* [[wikipedia:English_Electric_Canberra|[Wikipedia] English Electric Canberra]]
 +
 
 +
{{AirManufacturer EEC}}
 +
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Revision as of 10:19, 10 September 2021

VTOL | Rank 5 USA
AV-8A Harrier Pack
This page is about the British jet bomber Canberra B Mk 2. For other versions, see Canberra (Family).
canberra_bmk2.png
GarageImage Canberra B Mk 2.jpg
Canberra B Mk 2
AB RB SB
8.7 8.3 7.7
Research:105 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:300 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Canberra B Mk 2 is a rank V British jet bomber with a battle rating of 8.7 (AB), 8.3 (RB), and 7.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.43.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 3 000 m880 km/h
Turn time26 s
Max altitude12 192 m
Engine2 х Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.101
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight21 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 3,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 835 809 12192 26.9 27.6 14.8 13.4 750
Upgraded 915 880 25.4 26.0 25.7 20.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 450 498 469 320 ~7 ~3
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 590 < 550 < 500 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Empty mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.101 2 10,300 kg 171 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 15m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 45m fuel 50m fuel
800 kg Axial-flow turbojet 11,800 kg 12,280 kg 13,240 kg 14,680 kg 15,160 kg 20,865 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition 100% WEP 15m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 45m fuel 50m fuel MTOW
Stationary 2,850 kgf N/A 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.39 0.38 0.27
Optimal 2,850 kgf
(0 km/h)
N/A 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.39 0.38 0.27

Survivability and armour

Crew3 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear450 km/h
  • No armour plating
  • No armour glazing
  • Critical components located at the fuselage of the aircraft (fuel, pilot, controls)
  • Engines in wings

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 100 → 4 129 Sl icon.png
RB11 210 → 14 931 Sl icon.png
SB16 526 → 22 012 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications89 900 Rp icon.png
146 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 100 Ge icon.png
Crew training86 000 Sl icon.png
Experts300 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 700 Ge icon.png
Research Aces720 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 300 / 600 % Sl icon.png
196 / 196 / 196 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
EEMBC No.2 Mark 1
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
EELBC No.2 Mark 4
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (3)
Setup 19 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bomb
Setup 26 x 1000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bomb
Setup 31 x 4000 lb H.C. Mk.IV bomb
2 x 1000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bomb

The Canberra B Mk 2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 9 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (4,500 lb total)
  • 6 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (6,000 lb total)
  • 1 x H.C. 4,000 lb Mk.II bomb + 2 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (6,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

Climbing high to around 10 kilometres will save you from most predators and AA fire in both AB and RB as the Canberra has one of the best climb rates and high-alt performances in the game. Watch out for the Me 163 and Ki-200, who can climb to you easily thanks to their Rocket Engines. A common strategy by Canberras (and B-57s, as they are the same airframe) is to head to one base, drop all payload on such base and then running for their lives. Using the 6 x 1,000 lb payload is recommended for usage on bases while 1 x 4,000 lb + 2 x 1,000 lb payload works best when used on airfields.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good stock engine power
  • Good stock acceleration speed
  • Powerful airbrakes
  • Good top speed for such a large aircraft
  • Decent payload
  • High service ceiling(max. altitude)
  • Great climb rate

Cons:

  • May rip wings by going straight for a while without intelligent use of air-brakes
  • Likely to be a big target for fighter aircraft with an air-spawn and be engaged first.
  • Slower than most fighters, which means you will be caught up by all jets that chase you
  • An easy target for anything with guns that can go over 800 km/h
  • First few fights will be running to a base, bombing the base and ending up dead by enemy jets.

History

The Canberra B Mk.2 was created in 1949 to replace the Mosquito fast bomber. It was designed to have outstanding high altitude performance and speed, being unparalleled for 10 years. Despite the RAF originally expecting the Canberra to be obsolete within a few years of entering service, so much so that work to develop a replacement (eventually leading to the TSR-2) was started before it had even entered service, it would go on to be one of the RAF's longest serving aircraft. The Canberra remined in front line service with the RAF until its retirement in 2006, some 55 years after it first entered service (although it spent a lot of that time in the photo-reconnaissance role, as opposed to its original purpose as a bomber). The Canberra was replaced in the strategic bomber role by the Valiant (and other V-bombers), and in the strike role by the Buccaneer (following the cancellation of the TSR-2 programme). It established a world altitude record of 21,430 m in 1957 and was the first jet-powered aircraft to make a non-stop transatlantic flight.

In-game description

Whilst the United States and the Soviet Union were, in many ways, running ahead of Britain during the early development of jet fighters, Britain would at least keep up if not forge ahead with its very first jet bomber – the legendary English Electric Canberra.

The origins of the Canberra lay in 1944 when the Air Ministry called for a replacement for the de Havilland Mosquito in the light bomber role – a fast, agile tactical bomber was required by RAF Bomber Command to move into the jet age. English Electric set to work under Chief Engineer WEW Petter, who envisaged a bomber built around straight wings of a large area, and two of the new Rolls-Royce Avon jet engines. The prototype first flew in May 1949, with Typhoon-ace Roland Beamont at the controls. The Chief Test Pilot remarked that the aircraft was practically free of vices and possessed an agility that was reminiscent of a fighter rather than a bomber.

After various modifications were made, including the addition of a glass nose for a bomb aimer, the first production variant – the B Mk.2 - entered service in 1951 with No.101 Squadron. The Canberra was able to reach speeds of some 560 mph and reach heights of 48,000 feet whilst maintaining the capacity to carry 6000 lbs of ordnance. A series of modified Canberra B Mk.2s set a succession of world altitude records, culminating in August 1957 with a staggering 70,310 feet. It was a Canberra that saw victory at the Last Great Air Race from London to Christchurch in 1953. With a range of approximately 2600 miles, the Canberra was considered a tactical rather than a strategic bomber.

The Canberra was popular with its aircrew due to its performance, popular with ground crews due to its relatively simple maintenance schedule and also popular with Command due to its relatively low cost. Over 400 Canberra B Mk.2's were built until uprated engines led to the development of its successor, the B Mk.6, which entered service in the summer of 1954. As squadrons received the newer model, the now older B Mk.2 saw service with the RAF in Germany, Cyprus and the Far East, although the variant did serve successfully in the Suez Crisis of 1956. A small number of export variants of the B Mk.2 also saw service with the United States as a template for building under license as the Martin B-57, Australia and Venezuela.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links


The English Electric Company Limited
Jet Fighters  Lightning F.6 · Lightning F.53
Jet Bombers  Canberra B Mk 2 · Canberra B (I) Mk 6
Tanks  Excelsior
  The English Electric Company allowed the Glenn L. Martin Company to license-build Canberra bombers for the United States Air Force.

Britain jet aircraft
Blackburn  Buccaneer S.1 · Buccaneer S.2 · Buccaneer S.2B
British Aerospace  Harrier GR.7 · Sea Harrier FRS.1 (e) · Sea Harrier FRS.1
British Aircraft Corporation  Strikemaster Mk.88
English Electric  Canberra B Mk 2 · Canberra B (I) Mk 6 · Lightning F.6 · Lightning F.53
Gloster  Meteor F Mk 3 · Sea Meteor F Mk 3 · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41F · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41G · Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K · Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper
  Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9
de Havilland  Vampire F.B.5 · Venom FB.4 · Sea Venom FAW 20 · Sea Vixen F.A.W. Mk.2
Hawker  Sea Hawk FGA.6 · Hunter F.1 · Hunter F.6 · Hunter FGA.9 · Harrier GR.1 · Harrier GR.3
Panavia  Tornado GR.1 · Tornado F.3
SEPECAT  Jaguar GR.1 · Jaguar GR.1A · Jaguar IS
Supermarine  Attacker FB 1 · Attacker FB.2 · Scimitar F Mk.1 · Swift F.1 · Swift F.7
Foreign  Phantom FG.1 (USA) · Phantom FGR.2 (USA) · F-4J(UK) Phantom II (USA)
  JAS39C (Sweden)