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English Electric Canberra was a first-generation jet bomber manufactured
in large numbers through the 1950's, and remaining in service until
the early years of the 21st century.
Canberra had
its origins in 1944 as thought turned to developing a replacement
for the unarmed high speed, high altitude de Havilland Mosquito
bomber. The prototype did not fly until May 1949.
Although jet
powered and of all-metal construction, the Canberra design philosophy
was very much in the Mosquito mould: to provide room for a substantial
bomb load, fit two of the most powerful engines available, and wrap
it in the smallest, most aerodynamic package possible.
The Canberra
was originally designed for a crew of two under a fighter-style
canopy, but delays in the development of the intended automatic
radar bombsight resulted in the addition of a bomb aimer's position
in the nose.
Wingspan and
length were almost identical at just under 20 metres, maximum take-off
weight a little under 25 tonnes. Power was provided by a pair of
30 kN axial flow Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets.
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