Canberra question

Nov 23, 2005 4 Replies
R

OK... I am looking through some different pics and histories on this plane. I know we had discussed it some a month or two back, but the Airfix announcement has me thinking evil thoughts.



Did the RAF RB Canberra variant and the US version both have tandem seating or side by side, or were there versions of both for the US. I ask, because I have seen pictures now in US scheme with both styles. Now we had one of these on the fligtline at Beale from when they had a Recy museum (I am sure it was an RB) and I can't remember which it had. Anyone know the geneology of the US and RAF cockpits.



Reminds me of a story Tex Johnson had in his autobiography about the (Y?)B-52 in a discussion with LeMay who was very emphatic that it have side by side seating. He knew it was very important for flight crew communication.



And yeah.. maybe now the haze is lifting that the US started with tandem and then changed it (on the b-57)..... I think.....


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R

OK... I think I found a good source... but please fill me in if anyone has additions or stories. That is where most of the fun in researching with this group is found.

This is what I found:

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Rich

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E

The British Canberra PR3 and PR7 have the same cockpits as the B2 version, ie a bomber style canopy over the pilot with the remainder of the crew seated within the fuselage. Note that the only Canberra to have side-by-side seating was/is the T4 and its derivatives.

The PR9 Canberra has a fighter style canopy, but it is not the same as the canopy on the B(I)8. Access to the pilot's seat in the B(I)8 was via the crew entrance door and the canopy was permanently sealed. The PR9 canopy is a clamshell one which can be opened.

The B-57A canopy was the same as on the Canberra B2. All subsequent versions had tandem seating. There were no British versions with tandem seating.

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K

To paraphrase Enzo's excellent reply...

There are three distinct canopy styles on the Canberra.......

A 'bubble' one-piece bomber canopy covering the pilot - applicable to most British Canberras and ONLY the US B-57A.

A long glasshouse covering tandem seats - applicable ONLY to Martin-built B-57's.

An offset fighter-style covering just the pilot - non-opening on the B(I)8 and clamshell on the PR9.

Ken

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E

Er... yes... that was a lot less confused rambling in your version! :-)

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