The Canberra PR.9 was the ultimate photographic reconnaissance version of the highly successful Canberra family.
The operational ceiling of 50,000 feet (15,250 metres) of the PR.9's predeccessors was impressive, but as these entered service with the RAF thought was being given to developing a Canberra that no adversary interceptor would be able to reach. The new Avon RA.24 engine, which could provide 67,6 kN (5,110 kgp / 15,200 lbf) thrust, 50% more than the Avon 109 in the PR.7 and a new wing design, with extended chord inboard of the engines and a span stretch of 3 feet 10 inches (1.15 metres) would enable the PR.9 to operate over 60,000 feet.
In April 1954, Canberra PR.7 WH793 had just been completed at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection by the 23rd of that month. Instead of entering RAF-service the aircraft was delivered to D. Napier and Sons Ltd. for the fitting of the new wing design. The aircraft retained the 'bomber canopy' of the PR.7. WH793 made her first flight as PR.9 prototype on 8 May 1955 in the hands of Napier's test pilot Mike Randrup.
In the course of the flight testing of WH793 it became clear, that although the climb rate was significantly higher than that of the earlier PR-versions, the service-ceiling fell short of the expected 65,000 ft plus, due to unexpected drag rise at high altitude. The benefits of the more powerful engines and wing however were substantial enough to approve production of the high-altitude PR Canberra, the PR.9.
On 10 April 1958, the former Canberra B.5 prototype, VX185, was delivered to Shorts for PR.9 development work. The 'prototype PR9' and first production aircraft, XH129, first flew from Aldergrove on 27 July 1958. Unlike WH793 it featured a redesigned forward fuselage, with an offset cockpit with a canopy similar in appearance to that of the B(I).8. The two crew, pilot and navigator, were seated in separate pressurized compartments. The navigator accessed his compartment through the nose, which hinged open to the right. At the time of the first flight, only the pilot's position had an ejection seat. The nose section in these early PR.9s, and so XH129, being similar to the B(I).8, lacked an ejector seat for the navigator. It also featured a glazed front section as on the PR.3 and PR.7.
XH129 was delivered to English Electric at Samlesbury for type handling and flight testing on 11 September 1958. On one of these flights, on 9 October 1958, the aircraft was scheduled to carry out some 5g turns. During one of these tirns, XH129 entered an uncontrollable roll to starboard followed by a spiral dive due to failure of the leading edge wing root skin attachments. Shortly before crashing into Liverpool Bay off the Lancashire coast, Don Knight, the pilot ejected. Tragically, the English Electric Flight Test Officer occupied, Peter H. Durrant, was unable to leave the aircraft in time. As a consequence all subsequent aircraft were fitted with an ejection seat for the navigator.
Canberra PR.9 in RAF service
The Canberra PR.9 entered squadron service with No.58 Squadron at RAF Wyton in January 1960. On 22 June 2006, the last operational Camberra PR.9s of No.39 (1PRU) Squadron were retired at RAF Marham, after 55 years of Canberra service with the RAF.
Canberra PR.9 production
All 23 aircraft were produced by Short Bros.&Harland Ltd in Belfast. The first aircraft, XH129, first flew on 27 July 1958 from Sydenham in the hands of English Electric's chief test pilot Peter Hillwood. On 9 October 1958, this aircraft crashed into the Irish Sea. Pilot Don Knight survived the accident, but his flight test observer Peter Durrant was killed.
XH129-137 (c/n SH.1719 to SH.1727).
XH164-177 (c/n SH.1728 to SH.1741).
Of these aircraft, XH132 was modified by Shorts under a Ministry of Supply contract. The aircraft was given the designation SC.9. XH132 was employed in trials of the De Havilland Red Top air-to-air missile. For these the aircraft was fitted with the Ferranti A.I.23 Airpass radar of the Lightning. Later the aircraft was used by Ferranti as a radar trials aircraft, before continuing her work with the Radar Research Establishment at Pershore where she was engaged in the evaluation of the seeker system for the Skyflash air-to-air missile (AAM).
Notes on Canberra construction numbers:
Almost all construction numbers of English Electric Preston-built machines are known and confirmed. All Canberra PR.3 and 7 construction numbers are prefixed 'EEP' followed by a 5-digit number in the 71... range. The PR machines were produced along the B.2 at the production line and had their construction number allocated in order as the aircraft appeared on the line. This was also the case at the time the PR.7 came into production. As the final PR version, the Canberra PR.9, was solely produced by Short Bros & Harland, the construction numbers of these were allocated in sequence, prefixed 'SH'.
- Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
- First Flight:
27 July 1958
- Initial Service Date:
January 1960
- No. Built:
23
- No. In Service:
0
- No. of Hardpoints:
0
- Crew:
2