RAAF Canberra in RNZAF Museum, Wigram

[Dave Homewood]

Did the Canberra that was gifted to the RNZAF Museum by the RAAF actually fly in the display for the opening of the musuem on April 1st, 1987?

Or was it already installed in the museum by then?

I know it flew across here shortly before the opening - not sure exactly when though - but was it kept flyable for the big opening air display?

[mumbles]

Pretty sure the delivery flight would have been the last time it flew.

[redkiwi]

The Canberra was on static display by the time the museum was opened officially on 1 April 1987, the flight into Wigram escorted by an RNZAF Skyhawk being the last time it flew.

The flying display at the Ceremonial Review consisted of Harvard NZ 1015 (Sqn Ldr Panther), Tiger Moth NZ 662 (Flt Lt Edwards and Avro NZ 203 (WGCDR Lanham). The display include a formation pass by this trio. This was followed by a display by the Red Checkers (Sqn Ldr R Read, Flt Lt I McClelland, Sqn Ldr A MacLean, Flt Lt M Wingrove and Flt J Grant).

The other flying highlight was a fly past by 9 Skyhawks and 9 Strikemasters.

Also on static display were one of each operational RNZAF aircraft at that time except the 727 which could not land at Wigram.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Mark.

Could the P-3's land there back then too?

[Dave Homewood]

Does anyone know if an official video was made of the 50th Anniversary Ceremony at Wigram, the flypasts and the opening of the museum, etc?

I recall Dad was leant a video of the event shortly afterwards but I can't recall if it was official/professional or just a home video. I couldn't rememebr if the Canberra was in it or anything else for that matter.

[Glen T]

From what I recall, the Aussie Canberra had cracking in the main wing spar and was given a special 'one of' flight dispensation to cross the Tasman. But it landed at Ohakea, and therefore had to have another permission slip to fly to Wigram! I'm trying to find the detail in my 'library'!
However, when a bunch of us volunteered from 2 Sqn to go to Wigram to spend two weeks getting the two Vampires ready for display - late in 86 I think, the Canberra was sitting in the 'bare' hangar - see pic below.

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, that's an neat photo Glen. A real slice of unseen history there.

Doesn't the hangar look small in the photo compared to now with all the flash lighting, etc? Or are you standing in the middle of the hangar and not by the door where the Canberra sits now?

[corsair67]

Glen, the Canberra does have a cracked spar and I believe was limited to no more than 250 knots during it's crossing of the Tasman.

I think it had to divert to Ohakea because the weather was pretty crappy for most of the day when it was due to arrive at Wigram. Later when it finally arrived at Wigram, the weather had improved to mostly clear skies, and she looked great flying overhead with it's escort of Skyhawks.

[skyhawkdon]

admin said:

Does anyone know if an official video was made of the 50th Anniversary Ceremony at Wigram, the flypasts and the opening of the museum, etc?

I recall Dad was leant a video of the event shortly afterwards but I can't recall if it was official/professional or just a home video. I couldn't rememebr if the Canberra was in it or anything else for that matter.

From memory the whole thing was broadcast live on TV One, but I could be remembering something else?? The RNZAF produced a documentary for the 50th anniversary - it used to screen in the Wigram Museum auditorium every half hour. That was a long time ago so probably replaced by something else now. If you want a copy I suggest you contact the Museum.

[planeimages]

Brave soul who agreed to fly the Canberra with a cracked main spar across the Tasman! I'd have flown faster to reduce the time exposed to fatigue. I probably would not have made it.

[aileronroll]

I work with the Navigator who delivered the Canberra to NZ. He told me it was an "interesting" trip as neither he or the pilot had been near a Canberra for a while...... it was an even more "interesting" trip to Wigram the next day after the party put on by the kind people at Ohakea !

He was never able to obtain a copy of the fantastic photo of the Canberra in company with the A4 (i think flown by John Lanham), if anyone could post a copy here it would be appreciated !

[corsair67]

Pretty poor copy: a photo taken from a magazine. The A-4 was indeed flown by Sqdn Ldr(?) John Lanham.

Were the Canberra crew Vaughan Crosby and Noel Williamson?

RNZAF Official:

[phil82]

I recall one of the RNZAF B12s developed a similar problem and was flown back to the UK for repairs. Rumour had it there was a brace of some sort welded across the crack! A bit of 'N0. 8 wire ' thinking from OHakea.

[Dave Homewood]

That's a superb photo.

Were the Canberra crewmembers RAAF or RNZAF? The former I hope.

[corsair67]

The Canberra crew were both RAAF, Dave.

[aileronroll]

Corsair67,

thanks for posting the excellent picture ! Yip Canberra was flown by Vaughan Crosby and Noel Williamson. The A4 was flown by the then Wing Commander Lanham who was OC Strike Wing at the time.

[simdad]

1984 RNZAF 75 Sqn A-4 Skyhawk NZ6205 in formation with RAAF Canberra A84-240 over Wellington.
www.flickr.com/photos/gcdnz/49895685126

Gary

[shorty]

Our Canberra with the inclusion in the spar was NZ 6106. NZSMI 149 had us inspect it regularly via a special plate in the LH rear face of the spar, accessed through the bomb bay.