English Electric Canberra - Survivor WT346
B(I).8 WT346 - Canberra Support Group (CSG), Ardmore Airport, New Zealand
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Canberra B(I).8 WT346 at Ardmore Airport, 13th March 2021; Errol Cavit
Built in 1955, WT346 was delivered to the newly formed 88 Sqd (RAFG Wildenrath) in 1956. She flew with 88 for a number of years before being loaned to the Ministry of Aircraft for use by A&AEE in Electromagnetic Compatibility tests. These lasted just two months then WH346 was returned to 88 Sqd at Wildenrath.
She then became a 14 Sqd aircraft when 88 Sqd was disbanded and re-numbered as 14 Sqd at RAFG Wildenrath in December 1962. WT346 was later transferred to 3 Sqd at RAFG Geilenkirchen and then again to 16 Sqd at RAFG Laarbruch. When 16 Sqd lost its Canberras in 1972, WH346 was allocated the ground instructional number of 8197M and struck off RAF charge.
She was moved to the Museum at RAF Colerne in June 1972 and put on display there until being moved to the RAF Cosford Aerospace Museum in 1976. Eventually she was sold off to a London scrap dealer. However, the RNZAF Muesum at Christcurch, NZ, were looking for a B(I).8 at that time and managed to secure her. The aircraft was dismantled and shipped to NZ in April 1993 and was placed into deep storage at their Museum.
She was left in storage until February 2020 when she was finally towed out into the sunlight once again and moved to Ardmore Airport where the Canberra Support Group (CSG) are restoring her. Since her move to Ardmore Airport, WT346 has been given a good wash and has been pushed undercover where a repaint has now begun.
She then became a 14 Sqd aircraft when 88 Sqd was disbanded and re-numbered as 14 Sqd at RAFG Wildenrath in December 1962. WT346 was later transferred to 3 Sqd at RAFG Geilenkirchen and then again to 16 Sqd at RAFG Laarbruch. When 16 Sqd lost its Canberras in 1972, WH346 was allocated the ground instructional number of 8197M and struck off RAF charge.
She was moved to the Museum at RAF Colerne in June 1972 and put on display there until being moved to the RAF Cosford Aerospace Museum in 1976. Eventually she was sold off to a London scrap dealer. However, the RNZAF Muesum at Christcurch, NZ, were looking for a B(I).8 at that time and managed to secure her. The aircraft was dismantled and shipped to NZ in April 1993 and was placed into deep storage at their Museum.
She was left in storage until February 2020 when she was finally towed out into the sunlight once again and moved to Ardmore Airport where the Canberra Support Group (CSG) are restoring her. Since her move to Ardmore Airport, WT346 has been given a good wash and has been pushed undercover where a repaint has now begun.
Information on this page current as of 01/07/2021, last updated by Jake |
Find other photos of WT346 on the following sites:
Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net