The Canberra Bomber

2 Squadron was sent to Vietnam as part of Australia's large commitment to that conflict, remaining there until June 1971 and in the meantime achieving an enviable record flying what was by then regarded by many as an obsolete bomber.
Operating as part of the USAF's 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, 2 Squadron's Canberras flew just six per cent of the Wing's sorties but inflicted 16 per cent of the damage.

Overall, 11,963 sorties were flown in Vietnam, 76,389 bombs dropped and two aircraft lost.

By the time it returned to Australia, 2 Squadron was the last RAAF operational Canberra Unit, 1 and 6 Squadrons having temporarily converted to F-4E Phantoms while they waited for the much delayed F-111s to arrive. 2 Squadron continued flying Canberras well past their planned retirement date until 1982, in the meantime completing many cartographic surveys in Australia and overseas (notably Indonesia), the Canberras equipped with survey cameras. The Canberra's distinguished RAAF career officially ended on 30 June 1982 when 2 Squadron flew four aircraft over Brisbane and surrounding areas in a farewell flypast.

TECHNICAL DATA
(English Electric/GAF Canberra Mk 20/Mk 21)

DESCRIPTION: Tactical bomber

POWER PLANT: Two 6,500 lb thrust Rolls-Royce/CAC Avon Mk I or 7,500 lb thrust Avon Mk 109 turbojets.

DIMENSIONS: Wing span 64 ft 0 in. (19.50 in); length 65 ft 6 in. (19.96m); height 15 ft 7 in (4.75m)

WEIGHTS: Empty 25,400 lb (11,521 kb); max. loaded 50,000 lb (22,680 kg)

PERFORMANCE: (Avon 109s) Max speed 504 kt (933 km/h); normal cruise 380 kt (703 km/h); initial climb 4,200 ft (1,280 m)/min; operational ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m); radius of action (4,500 lb bomb load) 984 nm (2,060 km); max ferry range 3,154nm (5,841 km)

ARMAMENT: Max bomb load 8,000 lb (3,629 kg); typical Vietnam load six 750 lb (340 kg) bombs, four in bomb bay and one under each wingtip.

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