XM277, ready for collection on 27 February 1959, was first issued to Station Flight at RAFG Geilenkirchen. From there it was transferred to 88 Sqn at RAFG Wildenrath and stayed with them when they re-numbered to 14 Sqn in December 1962. Later XM277 was transferred to the charge of 3 Sqn, probably when 14 Sqn stood down in June 1970. By that time, 3 Sqn were at RAF Laarbruch having moved from Geilenkirchen in January 1968. In Jan 1972, 3 Sqn converted to Harriers and XM277 moved onto the charge of 16 Sqn. This sqn also flew B(I)8s at Laarbruch and was the last operational RAF sqn with these Strike Canberras. XM277 was Struck off Charge on 23 June 1972 and, two months later, was flown to RAF Chivenor for use as a Fire Fighting airframe. Eventually, after almost 16 years service, this B(I)8 was sold for scrap on 10 January 1975.

Another of 3 Sqn's B(I)8s looking very graceful in the bright blue sky. This is a fine colour shot showing the later, silver undersides (so therefore sometime in 1965), the "small" serial number and the squadron number, "L", on the green band on the fin. When 59 Sqn re-numbered as 3 Sqn, their B(I)8s had squadron numbers painted on top of the aircraft's nose in front of the cockpit. This practice was gradually dropped but a couple of the B(I)8s still retained nose-top identification up to mid 1964 or so. [Obviously re-painting didn't happen all at once.] XM279 entered service with 16 Sqn and finished its time with 3 Sqn.

Thought I'd include this here amongst the B(I)8s. This was the 3 Sqn card for that year and depicts a few of the "funnies" that had happened on the squadron. If anyone remembers either the card or wants to "interpret" the snags, I be glad to hear from you.