CANBERRA – B.2 – WE113

This B.2 was awaiting collection in May 1952 and delivered to the RAF’s charge in June of that year. It had a varied RAF service life serving with, first, 231 OCU then on to 245 Sqn, 98 Sqn, 85 Sqn (pictured above) and 100 Sqn before returning to the charge of 231 OCU at RAF Wyton as “BJ” in 1991.

Four months short of its 40 year service anniversary, WE113 was placed in open storage at RAF Wyton in January 1992.

The nose of WE113 was rescued by Mr Chris Cannon who lives adjacent to RAF Wyton. Chris keeps the cockpit in good shape and condition and transports it to certain shows. He displayed this survivor at the Canberra Association Meet in commemoration of the Canberra 50th Anniverary held at the Newark Air Museum on 15/16 May 1999.

Chris has produced a very good DVD about the Canberra, particlarly the “Blue One”. This Canberra, a T.4, was painted all-over blue by the RAF (39 Sqn) in commemoration of the first prototype, VN799. It was the last T.4 flying with the RAF and Chris has captured not only the atmosphere of its final days in service but also some unique interviews with the crews of 39 Sqn. See his website for details.