English Electric Canberra

English Electric Canberra of the Royal Air Force in aviation art print English Electric BAC Canberra by aviation artist Keith Woodcock, available from Cranston Fine Arts and the Military Art Gallery.

Century of Aviation Series No2 by Keith Woodcock English Electric (BAC) Canberra The Canberra is still in service today and is probably the longest serving operational military aircraft ever, worldwide, likely to achieve an incredible 50 years in 2001. First flown in 1949, it became Britain's first jet bomber, entering the Royal Air Force as the B2 with 101 squadron at Binbrook in 1951. Canberra saw action in Malaya against terrorists in 1955 and again in the Suez crisis of 1956. The versatility of the basic airframe is proved by its adoption for training, electronic counter measures, target towing, photo reconnaissance and intruder operations, in addition to the normal bombing role for which it was designed. Depicted in the painting is a B2 in the early black and grey colour scheme which it carried when introduced. In production for 10 years, 678 British-built Canberras were completed, plus a further 451 license-built in Australia and America.

Canberra Tribute by Michael Rondot The English Electric Canberra first flew on Friday 13th May 1949 when its performance created a sensation. Such was the quality of the original design that in May 1951, when the first B2 Canberras entered into service with No 101 Squadron at RAF Binbrook, they could outmanoeuvre all the fighters of the period and fly with impunity more than 10,000 feet above them. Operated by 17 airforces in more than 20 different variants, Canberras have been to war at Suez and in India, in Vietnam and the Falklands campaign, and in 1996 Canberra PR9s were engaged in operational reconnaissance flights over Bosnia and in other regions. It is widely justifiably regarded as one of the greatest aircraft designs of all time. This painting features two variants in typical flying weather, a Canberra B2 in brilliant sunshine taking off from a rain-soaked runway, with a PR9 in the background.

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The Marham Wing Over Sandringham by Michael Rondot At the beginning of her Golden Jubilee Year, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Royal Air Force Marham, the Norfolk airbase close to the Royal family's winter residence at Sandringham. RAF Marham personnel are very proud of their unique association with Her Majesty who became Honorary Air Commodore of the station in 1976. To mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee Year this magnificent oil painting was commissioned by all ranks of RAF Marham and presented to Her Majesty. The aircraft in Michael Rondot's painting represent the five squadrons of The Marham Wing. A Canberra PR9 is portrayed lading four Tornado GR4's, with aircraft tail letters specially marked to spell E II R L for the Golden Jubilee, in a formation flown over Sandringham in Her Majesty's honour. In the background, surrounded by wooded grounds, lawned gardens and 20,000 acres of estate, stands a fine red brick and standstone house built in 1870 for Prince Edward (later King Edward VII).

Signatories: - Wing Commander Ken Smith (No. 39 Sqn), Wing Commander Paddy Teakle OBE (No. 31 Sqn), Wing Commander Moose Poole (No. II(AC) Sqn), Wing Commander Derek Watson (No. IX (B) Sqn) and Wing Commander Phil Osborn (No. XIII Sqn).

Air Vice-Marshal Glen Torpy CBE DSO - flew Jaguars on No.41 Sqn before moving to Tornados. In the Gulf War he commanded No. XIII Sqn and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He is now Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group.

Group Captain Dick Garwood DFC ADC - served on No.41 Sqn at RAF Coltishall with the artist and Glen Torpy during the 1980s. He flew Tornados during the Gulf War and commanded No. II (AC) Sqn before assuming command of RAF Marham.