Pictured during a routine sortie, aircraft WJ874 was painted to represent the first prototype Canberra, VN799, when it flew for the first time on 13 May 1949 at Warton airfield, where it had been built. A total of 1347 Canberra’s were produced and of the 925 built in the UK 773 were delivered to the RAF.
The Canberra PR9 will be formally retired from RAF service in 2006. The aircraft’s illustrious and extensive career with the RAF will end when the last four Canberra PR9s of 39 (part of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU)) land at RAF Marham for the final time.
When the PR9 lands for the last time, Canberra’s will have been in continuous front-line service with the RAF for a staggering 55 years, or nearly two-thirds of the RAF’s entire existence
