This dramatic air-to-air portrait depicts an early production Canberra B.2. It was the first variant to enter RAF service, when Wg Cdr Roland Beamont delivered No 101 Squadron’s first aircraft to Binbrook in May 1951.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

The prototype Canberra, VN799, in its all-blue colour scheme, did not have the Perspex nose of the production aircraft. The latter dispensed with the fin fillet.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

This was how the Canberra was originally going to look. Petter’s design shows an even cleaner layout than the twin-engined one that eventually emerged: it had wing-root intakes for the single engine buried in the fuselage. Lack of a suitable powerplant giving the required thrust necessitated several redesigns.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

General arrangement of Super Canberra (P.28MOD)

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949English Electric / BAE Canberra B(I).8 / PR.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1954

General arrangement of original B.3/45 layout

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

The Canberra B(I)8s were night intruder variants, eventually qualified to operate in the tactical nuclear strike role.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra B(I).8 / PR.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1954

Canberra PR.9s built by Shorts had the the offset canopy of the B(I)8 but extended wings for their high-altitude role. This is the first, on its maiden flight at Belfast on July 27, 1958.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra B(I).8 / PR.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1954

Canberra B(I)8 WT340 of 88 Sqn in November 1956 shows the offset canopy and gun pack containing four 20mm Hispano cannon.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra B(I).8 / PR.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1954

General arrangement of Super Canberra (P.28MOD)

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra B(I).8 / PR.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1954