Photographic Reconnaissance Aircraft
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Photographic Reconnaissance Aircraft |
| The RAF was in a need for a replacement for the Mosquito PR34 which had served steadfastly
for periods during WW2 and for six years after. The photographic reconnaissance version of the Canberra was developed. Developed from the B(2) light bomber, the Photographic Reconnaissance
Mk3 (PR3) had an extra 14inch section added into the forward fuselage, this was to house the seven cameras, used for both day and night photography, in the forward area was also a flare bay
and an area for other equipment. In the rear of the aircraft, extra fuel tanks were added. The aircraft had a crew of 2, pilot and navigator. The prototype had it's maiden light in March 1950 and the first PR3 enter service with 541 Squadron at RAF Benson in 1953. Numbers 58, 82 and 542 Squadrons were equipped during 1953-54, along with 231 OCU at RAF Bassingbourne and both 31 and 69 Squadrons of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany. |
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I would like to thank
Ray Deacon of
radfanhunter.co.uk
for supplying the images of
the PR.3's below |
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click on thumbnails for enlargements |
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The Canberra PR7 had the same fuselage as the PR3 and was base on the Canberra B.6. However, it was equipped with up-rated engines giving 7,000lbs of thrust per engine. This version was also exported to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and renamed the PR57 and PR67. As of 2006 the IAF are still flying this version, they are due to be retired in 2007/8. The standard camera fit for the mark was, one vertical 6inch camera plus either four 20inch or six 36inch cameras. A total of 74 were built, with some of the PR7's being converted to T.22's Royal Air Force Squadrons that operated the PR7 were: 13, 17, 31, 39, 58, 80, 81, 82,527, 540 & 542. |
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I would like to thank
Ray Deacon of
radfanhunter.co.uk
for supplying the images of the
PR.7's below |
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click on thumbnails for enlargements |
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| It was during the early 1960s, that the final Canberra reconnaissance version, the PR9 was rolled out and became operational with 58 Sqn. The PR9 featured up-rated Avon engines and a larger wing span, which allowed the aircraft to fly at heights of 60,000 feet. The cameras carried by the PR9 were developed through a number of stages over its life. A wide range of daytime film cameras were carried for medium and higher level vertical and oblique photography. Survey cameras could also be fitted. An digital sensor, recording onto magnetic tape was another of the systems that could be carried. Squadrons equipment with the PR9 were. 13, 39 and 58 Sqn Throughout the 1960s, those aircraft with No. 13 Sqn were involved in many operational flights over the Middle East. Conflicts between Iraq and Kuwait (1962-64) and Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi (1970) saw 13 Sqn flying over disputed areas, photographing various troop movements. When the Royal Air Force withdrew from its bases in the Gulf in the early 1970s,13 Sqn moved to Malta and replaced 39 Sqn which disbanded. In 1978 13 Sqn then to RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire UK before disbanding in 1981. In June 1982 No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (1 PRU) was formed with the remaining PR9's again based at RAF Wyton. However, in the early 1992 No. 1 PRU became No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron and it is with this squadron that the Canberra PR9 remained in service flying operation missions right up until the 28th July 2006 when the squadron was disbanded and the last 4 remaining PR9's in RAF service were retired. |
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| Canberra PR9 on Operations | PR9 Camera Layout Diagrams | Inside the Canberra PR9 |
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