G.A.F. CANBERRA MK 20 A84-225
(AA000001)

 

QAM Exhibit No. 1

 

 

QAM thanks Richard Hitchins, Barry Flood & Ron Cuskelly

for funding the acquisition of this aircraft.

 
05JUL55
  

Both CAC built Rolls Royce RA.3 Avon Mk. 1 engines [serial numbers CAC-26, CAC-27] fitted at Government Aircraft Factories, Avalon. A84-225 was the first Canberra off the line to incorporate the following mods.

C.
C.
C.
C.
C.
C.
C.
C.
C.
C.
46
74
199
202
208
217
221
227
238
240
   fuselage rear access door closing damper
introduction of IFF fixed fittings
improved locking on aileron hinge pins
introduction of hydraulic gauge to indicate main system pressure
modification to bomb crutch block
introduction of coiled metal pipes in air brake  hydraulic system
rework of main undercarriage jacks
increased pulley diameter on brake operating cable
fitment of adjustable balance weights on elevator tab
introduction of protective cover on emergency accumulator

Basic Weight ‑ 21,945 lb.

First pilot pre‑flight by Bill Scott [GAF Test Pilot] noted problems with engines, brakes and undercarriage.

07OCT55
   Scheduled first flight by Flg Off Doug Cameron and Ted Barden [GAF Test Observer] abandoned because of fuel leaks and oxygen warning light.
11OCT55
   Further attempt at first flight by Bill Scott, Doug Cameron and Ted Barden abandoned because prone position oxygen inoperative
11OCT55
   First flight [2 hr 35 min], by Bill Scott, Doug Cameron and Ted Barden noted following problems: engine RPM out of adjustment, brake difficulties, flaps operated too fast and with asymmetric retraction which caused a/c to roll to left, No 3 fuel tank gauge fluctuated, VHF radio was too weak, ADF was too noisy and the HF was intermittent plus other lesser problems.
04NOV55
   Test Flight No 2 [1 hr 35 min] by Bill Scott and Ted Barden. Tip tanks fitted for this flight. Engine acceleration times too slow and bleed valves closing at too high an RPM. Brakes still troublesome and hydraulic fluctuations were evident in main system.
11NOV55
   Test Flight No 3 crewed by Bill Scott and Ted Barden [2 hr 35 min]. Engine bleed valves still troublesome and assymetric flap retraction problem returned but this time the aircraft rolled right during the retraction phase.
29NOV55
   Test Flight No 4 [1 hr 30 min] by Flg Off Doug Cameron, Ted Barden and Rex Whalley [GAF Flight Test Observer]. Engine problems had not been solved and some of the radio problems resurfaced.
09DEC55
   All aircraft grounded as a precaution as a result of finding faulty alloy material in use for mainplane construction.
10APR56
   Test Flight No 5 [2 hr 5 min] by Flg Off Doug Cameron and Rex Whalley but the engine problems still persisted. The delay with test flight number 5 was a programme of modification incorporation.
23APR56
   Test Flight No 6 - Cameron and Whalley [2 hr 10 min] electrical problems.
27APR56
   Test Flight No 7 - Cameron, Whalley and Barden [2 hr 25 min] electrical problems.
04MAY56
   Test Flight No 8 - Scott, Whalley and Barden [2 hr 15 min]
04MAY56
   Test Flight No 9 - Scott, Whalley and Barden [1 hr 15 min]
05MAY56
   RAAF acceptance flight by Flg Off C. M. "Avro" Anson and W Off P.J. McDonald. Handed over to 1 Aircraft Depot at Laverton after  pre-service mods.
09MAY56
   Ferried to No. 82 Wing Amberley.
12MAY56
   Departed for Washington U.S.A. on a goodwill visit with four other RAAF Canberras led by Gp. Capt. Douglas [Operation Bala Lagin]. Canberras were escorted by a USAF C-124 Globemaster 51-127. 225 was flown by Flt Lt R.H. [Bruce] Martin and Flg Off R.S. [Bob] Black except the Guam/Hickam leg which was flown by reserve crew of Flg Off J.A. Jacobs and FSgt T.D. Wright.
07JUN56
   Returned from Operation Bala Lagin.
16JUL56
   Until 18JUL56 Deployed to RAAF Williamtown for weapons demo to School of Land Air Warfare [SLAW] Crew: Flg Off J.A. Jacobs/ FSgt P.B. Kerr.
26JUL56
   To RAAF Pearce for Air Defence Exercise crewed by CO of 2 Sqn, Wg Cdr A.E. Cross and Flt Lt M.M. Alexander
01AUG56
   On return flight established a record time Perth/Brisbane of 3 hours 20 minutes 5 seconds.
12AUG56
   Until 14AUG56 Participated in 2 Sqn "Operation Round Australia". The entire squadron of 7 aircraft flew Amberley to Darwin on 12AUG [5 aircraft went via Townsville, 2 aircraft incl. 225 went direct to Darwin]. Darwin to Pearce on 13AUG. Pearce to East   Sale and Amberley on 14AUG. 225 crewed by Capt R.P. Braner [USAF] and Sqn Ldr J.S. Latham. Capt Braner was a USAF exchange officer with 482[M] Sqn. Sqn Ldr Latham was on staff of 82 Wing HQ.
23OCT56
   Operation "Spot On", the annual 82 Wing Bombing Competition between Nos 2 & 6 Sqns commenced. A84-225 crewed by Flg Off Russ Anderson and Flt Lt Pete Fletcher [RAF] helped to retain the Bladin Trophy for No 2 Sqn.
14DEC56
   Departed Amberley along with two other 2 Sqn Canberras for the Armed Forces Day display in Manila. 225 was crewed by Wg Cdr A.E. Cross [CO 2Sqn], Flt Lt M.M. Alexander and Sgt Latham.
19DEC56
   Returned to Amberley.
08JUL57
   Until 12JUL57 participated in the first 2 Sqn mobility exercise with a deployment to Pearce. Usual procedure was to nominate a time limit for becoming airborne after receipt of order. Initially 225 went u/s but the crew, Sqn Ldr H.W. Connolly DFC and Bar, DFC [US] and Flt Lt N. Rodgers managed to get airborne with only minutes to spare before the 12 noon deadline.
07AUG57
   Operation "Oxcart". Seven 2 Sqn and five 6 Sqn Canberras provided 16 sorties in simulated attacks on Sydney to test the radar and fighter defences. Primary target was the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A84-225 flown by Sqn Ldr H.W. Connolly [his last flight for 2 Sqn before proceeding on posting] and Flg Off Gillard was credited  with being the only 2 Sqn aircraft to penetrate the defences without being intercepted.
15SEP57
   Performed solo air display during Air Force Week at RAAF Fairbairn. Crew: Flg Off J.A. Jacobs/Plt Off T.A. Morten.
21FEB58
   Ferried to GAF Avalon for modification C.280 [associated with trials of Avon Mk 101].
14JUL58
   Ferried to No. 1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton, for issue to ARDU.
10JUL59
   Fitted with two CAC built Avon RA.22 Mk.101-VH engines [serial numbers RR387, RR741] for tests.
06JAN60
   Returned to No. 82 Wing, Amberley from ARDU Laverton.
23MAY60
   Allotted to No. 3 Aircraft Depot for "E" service.
12JUL60
   Re-allotted to No. 82 Wing on completion of "E" service.
21OCT60
   Repainted with the new RAAF kangaroo roundel which was formally adopted on 2 July 1956.
31JAN61
   Port undercarriage flipper door damaged.
01FEB61
   Ferried to Avalon via Canberra with undercarriage down. The flight lasted for 4 hours. At Avalon the damaged flipper door was repaired and other modifications  incorporated. Also the Avon Mk.101 were replaced by Avon Mk.1 engines.
01NOV61
   First of seven test flights.
12DEC61
   Ferried from GAF Avalon to Amberley [1 hr 50 min] by Sqn Ldr H.W.C. (Herb) Thwaites and Flt Lt C. (Col) Clare and handed over to 1(B)OCU.
05JUN62
   Flown to Avalon for further mods.
26JUN62
   Returned to Amberley.
22OCT62
   1(B)OCU was operating out of RAAF Garbutt, Townsville with No 11 Canberra Conversion Course because of works on the main runway at Amberley. A84-225 was included in the deployment.
08NOV62
   Returned to Amberley after Garbutt deployment.
02JUL63
   As part of No 13 Canberra Conversion Course, 225 was flown to Darwin by Flg Off J. (Jack) Tolj and Plt Off P.M. (Peter) Grindon-Ekins.
03JUL63
   Flown from Darwin to Pearce.
04JUL63
   Returned to Amberley.
14NOV63
   Port engine changed after starter disintegrated during start. More information
21AUG64
   Ferried to RAAF Fairbairn by Flt Lt C.T. (Trevor) Kilian and Flt Lt T.B. (Bruce) Hunt and handed over to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hancock who, with Flt Lt Hunt flew 225 to RAAF Edinburgh where they remained overnight.
22AUG64
   Returned to Canberra where, with Flt Lt Hunt, flew local training flights on 22/23 AUG.
24AUG64
   Flt Lt Kilian and Flt Lt Hunt flew 225 to Williamtown to act as target aircraft for Mirage radar trials.
25AUG64
   Featured as static display at the Air Support Unit, RAAF Williamtown and departed for Amberley late in the afternoon.
02SEP64
   Flown to Ohakea, N.Z. by Flt Lt Kilian and Flt Lt Hunt as part of a "Lone Ranger" exercise.
07SEP64
   Returned to Amberley.
11SEP64
   Flown to RAAF Pearce by Flt Lt Kilian and Flt Lt C. (Clem) Whitely to participate in Air Force Week Air Display on 13SEP. 225 provided a solo handling display and also participated in an "air race". "Australian Air Log" records that 225 was carrying No 1 Sqn gold fin flash.
14SEP64
   Returned to Amberley.
20SEP64
   Flt Lt Kilian and Flt Lt Whitely provided a solo handling display at RAAF Richmond's Open Day Air Force Week Display.
05NOV64
   While taking part in a pairs take-off, A84-225 swung violently to starboard after brakes release. Problem was caused by failure of the governor pump driving shaft which prevented the starboard engine inlet guide vanes from opening and thus developing power. Pilot was Flt Lt D. (Dave) Middleton, a member of No 17 Canberra Conversion Course.
06NOV64
   Painted in camouflage by 3AD Amberley.
18NOV64
   Received at 3AD for E service.
12MAY65
   Received at 82 Wing ex 3AD.
JUL65
   Noted in Port Moresby on exercise [Short Finish?].
11AUG65
   Received at ARW, Parafield for corrosion checks, repairs and mods.
29SEP65
   Returned to 82 Wing, Amberley.
18JAN68
   Pilot Flt Lt Taffy Salvage, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Instrument Flying, local area Amberley. (Source: 1)
12FEB68
   Pilot Sqn Ldr Graham Dyke, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Training conversion flight, local area Amberley, sustained starboard engine generator failure. (Source: 1)
23FEB68
   Pilot Sqn Ldr Graham Dyke, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Training conversion, flight local area Amberley. (Source: 1)
15MAR68
   Pilot Sqn Ldr Graham Dyke, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Bombing training, 4,000' altitude, Evans Head weapons range. (Source: 1)
29MAR68
   Pilot Sqn Ldr Graham Dyke, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Training conversion, flight local area Amberley. (Source: 1)
29APR68
   Received at No 1 (B) OCU, Amberley.
08MAY68
   Received at ARW, Parafield for incorporation of Mod 690.
24JUL68
   Despatched to No 1 (B) OCU, Amberley.
25JUL68
   Pilot Plt Off Peter Salvair, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Travel Edinburgh to Amberley. (Source: 1)
01AUG68
   Pilot Plt Off Al Blyth, nav instructor Flt Lt Bob Howe - Navex, Amberley to Amberley via Canberra and Sydney. (Source: 1)
15AUG68
   Pilot Plt Off John Kennedy, nav instructor Flt Lt Bob Howe - Navex, Amberley to Amberley via Moree, Goondiwindi, Miles and Oakey. (Source: 1)
27AUG68
   Pilot Flt Lt Merv Lewis, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Air Defence Exercise (Adex) flight, Williamtown area. (Source: 1)
05OCT68
   Pilot Flt Lt Wilson, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Instrument flying, local Amberley area. (Source: 1)
05OCT68
   Pilot Flt Lt Doyle, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Instrument flying, local Amberley area. (Source: 1)
07OCT68
   Pilot Flt Lt Doyle, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Instrument Landing System (ILS) training, Brisbane. (Source: 1)
29OCT68
   Pilot Plt Off John Kennedy, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Air Defence Exercise (Adex) Lima, Amberley - Williamtown - Amberley. (Source: 1)
09DEC68
   Pilot Plt Off Barry Carpenter, nav instructor Flt Lt Bob Howe - Navex, Amberley to Amberley. (Source: 1)
10DEC68
   Pilot Plt Off Rick O'Ferrall, nav instructor Flt Lt Bob Howe - Navex, Amberley to Amberley. (Source: 1)
19DEC68
   Pilot Flt Lt Walker, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Air test, local area Amberley. (Source: 1)
28JAN69
   Pilot Flt Lt Walker, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Air test to 450 knots airspeed, 4,000', local area Amberley. (Source: 1)
20APR69
   Pilot Flt Lt Taffy Salvage, nav Flt Lt Bob Howe - Navex, Amberley to Amberley via Goondiwindi and Oakey. (Source: 1)
21AUG69
   Allotted to 3AD for E service.
27JAN70
   Allotted to No 1 (B) OCU. Fitted with target towing equipment.
   

The target towing equipment was rather rudimentary and did not involve anything as sophisticated as a winch. A steel stanchion was fixed to the belly of the aircraft on the centreline aft of the bomb bay. A 1500 foot steel cable was attached to the stanchion with a shear link and an explosive bolt. The other end of the cable was attached to an aluminium spreader bar which was fitted with small wheels. The target banner was then attached to the spreader bar. The cable and banner were laid out at the beginning of the runway and the aircraft taxied into position where an armourer attached the cable to the aircraft and armed the explosive bolt. The Canberra then made a steep take-off to reduce the time the banner was dragged along the runway. At the conclusion of the sortie, the aircraft would fly down the runway at 500 feet and drop the cable and banner by activating the explosive bolt.

Why the Orange Bands?

 
28MAY70
   Fitted with smoke trail equipment.
22JUL70
   Deployed to Butterworth Malaysia under the command of Pilot Officer R.J. Wood. During a subsequent target towing sortie from Butterworth, the Canberra was under the command of Peter Rhodes (later to become a B747 Captain with Air New Zealand). When it was found impossible to release the cable and target banner, Rhodes flew low over the sea so that the banner would drag in the water and break the shear link in the cable at its attachment to the aircraft. As expected, the pilot felt a tug and assumed that the banner and cable had separated. It transpired that the exercise had merely pulled the banner off the end of the cable and 225 landed back at Butterworth with the cable in trail!
31JUL70
   Visited Changi, Singapore.
11SEP70
   Returned to Australia via Tengah under the command of Plt. Off. Wood.
12SEP70
   Arrived at Amberley.
25SEP70
   Flown to Ohakea N.Z. by Flg. Off. Bob Howard (flight time 4hrs. 25mins.)
28SEP70
   Returned to Amberley (flight time 3hrs. 50mins.).
12OCT70
   Aircraft was holed above the starboard bomb door.
13OCT70
   Repairs were completed.
19NOV70
   Last flight for A84-225 3hrs. 10mins.
17DEC70
   During routine ultrasonic inspection of the wing spar a suspect crack was found in the port centre section spar and A84-225 was removed from flying duty having completed 3395 hours 15 minutes flying with 636 landings.
19JAN71
   Allotted from No. 1 Bomber Operational Conversion  Unit to No. 3 Aircraft Depot at Amberley.
29JAN71
   Engines were run for the last time and target towing equipment was removed.
04FEB71
   Engines were inhibited.
19NOV71
   Aircraft allotted to Dept. of Supply for disposal.
21NOV73
   Sold to the Queensland Branch of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia which later became the Queensland Air Museum.
13FEB74
   Moved by road to Pioneer Valley Park Kuraby Qld.
02JUN74
   The aircraft was officially unveiled as QAM Exhibit No 1 by Air Commodore C.H. Spurgeon (O.C. RAAF Base Amberley) during a ceremony (in a torrential downpour) at Kuraby. This marked the inauguration of QAM. The Invitation
13MAR75
   Slightly damaged in storm at Kuraby. Worst of damage was a small puncture under the right tailplane.
15MAY77
   Moved to Lower Nudgee.
09APR80
   Moved to Brisbane Airport.
07JAN83
   The following is quoted verbatim from the 9SQN Operations Record Book: "9SQN was warned of a possible task aiding the QLD Police Force at approximately 2200 hours Thursday 6 JAN 83. This task required two Iroquois to position to Brisbane at two separate locations by 0900 hours the following day. To meet the above commitment, two crewmen and one pilot were recalled from leave. Throughout the task several pilots and crewmen were recalled from leave and the recall plan worked effectively. The task involved an aircraft positioned at EAGLE FARM airport and another at KELVIN GROVE Army Barracks to act as back-up to the State Emergency Service (SES) Squirrel Helicopter. As a result long hours were spent on standby and hours flown were minimal. They consisted of a total of 2.1 hours for both aircraft broken up into 0.6 hours task and 1.5 hours travel. Task hours flown consisted of two surveillance sorties around the perimeter of EAGLE FARM airport and in particular the under-run of runway 22. These tasks were flown because the SES Squirrel Helicopter became unserviceable and the Army Kiowa was otherwise engaged. Personnel involved other than aircrew consisted of two 9SQN fitters who accompanied changeover crews to perform turn around maintenance on each of the Iroquois' each morning; the 9SQN orderly room CLK at various times on the 7, 8 and 9 JAN to implement the plan; and various HQAMB staff for the period 7-10 JAN 83. Command and control of the operation was through OC AMBERLEY to T/CO 9SQN and worked excellently. Problems encountered were purely domestic in that accommodation at EAGLE FARM and KELVIN GROVE was of a perfunctory nature and certainly would have been reviewed had the task continued. The following members were involved in the operation:

SQNLDR B.E. Briggs PLT
FLTLT D.M. Mackerras PLT
FLTLT G.J. Carter PLT
FLGOFF G. Buttsworth PLT
FLGOFF A. Livingstone PLT
FLGOFF D. Penton PLT
CAPT J.E. Redfearn III PLT
PLTOFF R. Hughes PLT
SGT I. Bawden LOADM
SGT G. Davis LOADM
SGT P. Deane LOADM
SGT N. Robin LOADM

The aircraft used were A2-771 and A2-703.

(Note: Although this task is clearly in relation to the TAA extortion, the ORB makes no reference to the specific nature of the task. Crew service numbers although recorded in the ORB have been omitted from this account.)

(Source: NAA, Series A9186, RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 9 Squadron Dec 71 - Jul 86)
JAN83
   Aircraft was damaged at Brisbane Airport as part of an extortion attempt against T.A.A. A home-made projectile had been fired at the Canberra to demonstrate what could be done to an airliner. Damage was limited to a long gash in the right bomb door which was subsequently repaired by RAAF. Read more about the TAA Extortion
09DEC83
   An RAAF work party from Amberley arrived to refit the bomb bay door which had been removed and held as evidence by the police. Although the RAAF offered to supply a replacement door, QAM chose to have the original door returned as the museum already held two replacement doors and the original was considered to have some historical significance. The damaged section of skin had been removed but this was patched by the RAAF the day before the door was returned to QAM. (Source: QAMN/V11N12)
13JUN86
   Moved on trucks to Caloundra.
OCT86
   Work began to repaint aircraft in No. 1 Sqn. marks.
JUN06
   The aircraft was moved into Hangar 2 and a complete repaint commenced. This was a significant achievement as it was the first time that the aircraft had been under cover since QAM acquired it in 1973. The aircraft has been displayed under cover ever since.

 

 

Compiled by Ron Cuskelly

 

 

The English Electric A.1 Canberra - Its Australian Connections

The TAA Extortion

 

SOURCES
1
 Log Book of FLTLT Bob Howe, No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) 1968-1969.



 

ISSUE
DATE
REMARKS
17
16JAN24
Added an image of the aircraft withdrawn from service and awaiting sale at Amberley on 24NOV71 sourced from the QAM Tony Arbon Collection.
16
22OCT22
Added flights from 18JAN68 to 20APR69 from the log book of Bob Howe (Source: 1)
15
02MAR22
Added a link to a new page; Why the Orange Bands?
14
23SEP83
Added an image of the unveiling invitation.
13
01SEP83
Added details of 9SQN Iroquois participation in support of the investigation into the TAA extortion on 07JAN83.
12
03DEC17
Added details of the return of the original damaged bomb bay door.
11
09NOV17
Added an aerial photograph of Pioneer Valley Park, Kuraby showing the location of the Canberra.
10
28DEC15
Added a description of the target towing equipment. Thanks to John Bennett.
9
25DEC15
Added an image of the aircraft as a target tug at Butterworth in 1970. Thanks to John Bennett.
8
11AUG15
Added three images of the aircraft in camouflage with white serials. Thanks to Trevor Millard.

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3
7
26JUL14
Added a separate page on the TAA Extortion.
6
08MAR14
Added front page newspaper reports on A84-225.
A Bomber with nowhere to go
The TAA extortion
5
13JUL13
Added more information on the starter disintegration incident on 14NOV63 thanks to Wal Walters.
4
03JUN06
Added a reference to the unveiling on 02JUN74.
3
22DEC04
Deleted reference (25SEP70) to the demise of Bob Howard as the circumstances previously quoted were incorrect.