Brits Canberras still being flown by NASA cool story

[redrider90]

From the BBC
The British Canberra, a jet bomber first flown in 1950 is still being flown and used by NASA today. They have 3 of them in service. Amazing bomber and seems ahead of its time when first came off the production line.
Great pics and story.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160309-why-nasa-still-flies-an-old-british-bomber-design

[oldbike54]

 Probably not using Lucas electrical components anymore  Seriously , was around some of the B57 variants based on the Canberra , the pilots liked them , great basic design .

 Dusty

[redrider90]

Probably not using Lucas electrical components anymore  Seriously , was around some of the B57 variants based on the Canberra , the pilots liked them , great basic design .

 Dusty

"great basic design" indeed. It had a wooden tail and flew at 70,000 feet.

[oldbike54]

"great basic design" indeed. It had a wooden tail and flew at 70,000 feet.

 One quality of wood , it doesn't suffer expansion or contraction . Of course neither do birds , we may be onto something here 

 Dusty

[John A]

One of those and a Vulcan bomber stopped at Barksdale AFB where I was stationed on their way to the Falcan Island conflict. Now they are old but they weren't spring chickens back then!

[rocker59]

NASA's Martin WB-57s are "slightly modified" from the original British Canberra pictured above.  LOL!

[rboe]

What NASA flies is not your Great Grandfather's Canberra.....

[redrider90]

Video of all the in formation over Huston last year.
 http://www.click2houston.com/news/space-news/nasa-conducts-flight-formations-over-the-houston-area_20151125214346949

[redrider90]

What NASA flies is not your Great Grandfather's Canberra.....

As I read the story these are modified but original B57s all build in the 1950s.  One of them spent 20 years in the Arizona desert scrap yard before it was reconditioned for flight.

[Roebling3]

I just read Daniel Kalall's trip report, which included a stop in Tucumcari, NM. Then I read here about Canberra's and B57's. I'm getting misty. My best friend in high school lost his life in Tucumcari piloting a B57.  It's been a long time. I last went through there (SV650S), ~10 years ago. Finally able to pay my respects in person.  R3~ 

[coastdude]

The RAAF have recently donated a Canberra to our small local air museum at Evans Head NSW (Australia) to join the F111 that is the major display. Volunteers  to undertake its restoration ( to presumably a static display) have been called for! The Evans Head airfield has an interesting history if you want to google it. They have a great annual fly-in featuring warbirds.