Canberra A84-307 On The Move

[Demon50]

From a Press Release :

"CANBERRA' JET BOMBER RESCUED WITH $6000 GRANT
>
> A Canberra jet bomber will be transported to the National Vietnam
> Veterans Museum on Phillip Island for restoration with the help of
a $6000 Australian Government grant, the Minister for Veterans'
Affairs, Bruce Billson announced today.
>
> Minister Billson said the British-built Canberra bomber, A84-307,
> currently in New South Wales, is at risk of being sold for scrap
unless moved.
>
> "This plane is the first Canberra bomber put into service by the
Royal Australian Air Force, arriving at RAAF Laverton in August 1951. It
was the first of two British-built jet bombers ordered by Australia to
provide training and familiarisation before Australian production
of the Canberra bomber began," Mr Billson said.
>
> In 1950, the Australian Government placed an order for 48 English
> Electric Canberra jet bombers which were to be built under licence
by the Government Aircraft Factory at Fishermen's Bend in Victoria.
The Australian- built aircraft were designated the Canberra Mk 20. The
first of these flew in May 1953 and the last was delivered in
September 1958. Number 2 Squadron continued to fly Canberras until 30 June
1982.
>
"During the Vietnam War, A84-307 was used for training pilots in
low level bomber roles that they undertook while flying out of Phan
Rang air base with Number 2 Squadron RAAF. It was retired from service
in August 1973.
>
"The $6000 Saluting Their Service grant will help fund transport
costs to move the bomber from its current location to the Museum on
Phillip Island where it will be restored," Mr Billson said.
>
"Saluting Their Service grants support commemoration of the
contribution of Australia's servicemen and women in wars, conflicts
and peace operations and preservation of our wartime heritage.

"I am pleased that by providing this grant the Australian
Government can help the Museum acquire this bomber which is part of our
Vietnam war history," Mr Billson said.

It saddens me to think that such an historic aircraft was in danger of being scrapped and I dream of the day when Governments of whichever persuasion proactively support the retention of significant aircraft and display them in locations easily accessible to all Australians.

[darren.crick]

Martin Edwards and I were discussing this the other day trying to figure out which Canberra the museum got their hands on, Martin thought it might have been 307!

[Dean]

This aircraft was at the front of Orchard Hills until the end of 2004 and I took some of the last photos before it was dismantled. It is also reported to be the world's oldest Canberra.

[Martin Edwards]

...wondered where -307 would end up. As far as I can work out it is the world's oldest surviving Canberra so hopefully she'll have a bright future. :rolleyes:

[darren.crick]

Martin,

I havnt been the the Vietnam Vetrans Museum, well not the new one anyway. I did get the the old one in San Remo. You would be about the closed one now I'd say for sure...

we plan to purchase a brick on the wall for one of their fundraisers for my father.

I hope to be going down that way early in the new year, I would like to see their new site and check out how the Wessex is going as well... hopefully the Canberra will be there sooner rather than later...

[penders]

Here is a photo of her at Phillip Is.

Attached Image

[darren.crick]

looks like some work is definately required...

[gordon]

At least it is in better condition than the two in private hands at Willow bank just outside of Amberley. That chap should be taken out and whipped and the Canberras confiscated.

Gordon