Article from BTNews 8 AUGUST 2016
English Electric Canberra to fly again
With the winding-down of Classic Flight, the group's English Electric Canberra WK163 (G-BVWC) has now been moved by road to the Vulcan in the Sky headquarters at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. The world-record-breaking aircraft joins Vulcan XH558 but unlike that remarkable aeroplane it is hoped that the Canberra will be flying again in time for the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force in 2018.
“We are very sad to see the Canberra depart from Coventry Airport,” said Classic Flight’s benefactor Mike Collett. “Classic Flight has owned the aircraft for more than 20 years and in its time it has been a popular member of our air display team. Vulcan in the Sky has demonstrated that is has all the skills and experience to keep early-generation jet aircraft flying. WK163 is in very capable hands.”
Entering service in 1951, the Canberra was the RAF’s first jet bomber. In total, 1,350 were built, including 400 for the USAF where three aircraft are still retained today by NASA scientific research aircraft.
WK163 shot into the headlines around the globe in 1957 when a prototype Napier Double Scorpion rocket motor fired her to 70,310ft and a new world altitude record.
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