English Electric Canberra - Survivor WG789
B.2 WG789 - Steve Pickup, Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, Norfolk
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Canberra B.2 WG789 at Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, 19th September 2021; Lucas Walpole
Built at EE works at Preston, WG789 was part of Contract 6/Acft/3520/CB6(b). She is distinguished in that it is only one of two Canberras that were given a "WG" number (the other being WG788). These two were built as replacements for WD937 & WD940 which were diverted off contract and sold to the USA.
Ready for collection on 29 Aug 1952, she was delivered to 231 OCU at RAF Bassingbourne. On 6 Feb 1956, WG789 was transferred to charge of Ministry of Supply and almost immediately went to Boulton Paul at RAF Defford to be fitted for use in "Red Dean/AI.18" attack computer development and was probably modified with AI.18 and nose radome at this time.
Three years later, on 1 Jan 1959, she was transferred to Boulton Pauls at Seighford for guided weapons guidance system fit and trials and afterwards, in May 59, flew with RRE Pershore on experimental trials in connection with development of a continuous-wave semi-active homing missile. She was flown as CW illuminator using modified AI.18 during trials. Reallocated for Sea Dart homing trials in Jun 65 and also carry trials of a Sea Dart homing head in aid of the Royal Navy's Type 82 (and later 42) Destroyer programme. To storage in Aug 68. Reallocated for Pershore radar calibration in Apr 70. To storage in Mar 71.
Then things became even more interesting for this Canberra. On 8 July 1971 she transferred to BAe Fairford as Concorde chase plane, but only for a few weeks until 6 Aug 1971 when she was moved into storage at BAe.
Over a year later, WG789 was taken from storage (6 Oct 1972) and reputed to have been rebuilt circa 1972/73-Jan 74. She was transferred to RRE as backup for Sea Skua homing head trials before being reallocated for Sea Eagle trials in Nov 76. To BAe for major in Aug 78. Returned to RRE for Sea Eagle guided weapon homing head carrying trials. This lasted until the end of 1978 when WG789 was transferred to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) at Bedford.
On 23 Feb 1982, WG789 was struck off charge at RSRE Bedford and used by apprentices as a ground instructional airframe. Eventually, this Canberra was scrapped and, in 1986, was brought by Steve Pickup who took it by road to Burgess Hill in West Sussex. Sadly the cockpit was badly damaged in a storm which managed to blow it of the cradle it was sat in, resulting in a smashed canopy.
In March 2002, Steve relocated WG789 to the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum as he thought it would be much more enjoyable to people if it was put on display even if it was outside, rather than being dry but hidden away. Soon after arrival, thanks to very helpful volunteers at the museum, they managed to track down a replacement canopy for the cockpit so it could become watertight once more.
Ready for collection on 29 Aug 1952, she was delivered to 231 OCU at RAF Bassingbourne. On 6 Feb 1956, WG789 was transferred to charge of Ministry of Supply and almost immediately went to Boulton Paul at RAF Defford to be fitted for use in "Red Dean/AI.18" attack computer development and was probably modified with AI.18 and nose radome at this time.
Three years later, on 1 Jan 1959, she was transferred to Boulton Pauls at Seighford for guided weapons guidance system fit and trials and afterwards, in May 59, flew with RRE Pershore on experimental trials in connection with development of a continuous-wave semi-active homing missile. She was flown as CW illuminator using modified AI.18 during trials. Reallocated for Sea Dart homing trials in Jun 65 and also carry trials of a Sea Dart homing head in aid of the Royal Navy's Type 82 (and later 42) Destroyer programme. To storage in Aug 68. Reallocated for Pershore radar calibration in Apr 70. To storage in Mar 71.
Then things became even more interesting for this Canberra. On 8 July 1971 she transferred to BAe Fairford as Concorde chase plane, but only for a few weeks until 6 Aug 1971 when she was moved into storage at BAe.
Over a year later, WG789 was taken from storage (6 Oct 1972) and reputed to have been rebuilt circa 1972/73-Jan 74. She was transferred to RRE as backup for Sea Skua homing head trials before being reallocated for Sea Eagle trials in Nov 76. To BAe for major in Aug 78. Returned to RRE for Sea Eagle guided weapon homing head carrying trials. This lasted until the end of 1978 when WG789 was transferred to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) at Bedford.
On 23 Feb 1982, WG789 was struck off charge at RSRE Bedford and used by apprentices as a ground instructional airframe. Eventually, this Canberra was scrapped and, in 1986, was brought by Steve Pickup who took it by road to Burgess Hill in West Sussex. Sadly the cockpit was badly damaged in a storm which managed to blow it of the cradle it was sat in, resulting in a smashed canopy.
In March 2002, Steve relocated WG789 to the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum as he thought it would be much more enjoyable to people if it was put on display even if it was outside, rather than being dry but hidden away. Soon after arrival, thanks to very helpful volunteers at the museum, they managed to track down a replacement canopy for the cockpit so it could become watertight once more.
Information on this page current as of 15/11/2021, last updated by Jake |
Find other photos of WG789 on the following sites:
Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net