Air Race Winning Plane Retired

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 16

Air Race Winning Plane Retired

An aircraft with historic associations for New Zealand was retired in England recently. It was the winning aircraft in the LondonChristchurch international air race held 16 years ago.

The famous aircraft was an English Electric Canberra No. WEI 39, a photographic reconnaissance Mark 3 version.

Piloted by Flight Lieutenant R. L. Burton with Flight Lieutenant D. H. Gannon as navigator, the Canberra flew to Christchurch in 23 hours 51 minutes for the distance of 12,750 miles.

Wearing its standard Royal Air Force camouflage paintwork WEI 39 is now on display in the collection of notable R.A.F. aircraft at the R.A.F. Museum, Henlow. It was in service up to April this year when it completed its final duty at Bassingbourne. The Canberra was flown to Henlow by the station commander, Wing Commander H. A. Chater. It bears on the nose a special shield to commemorate its record-breaking flight.

Another of the air race Canberras was seen in England during July. It was the third place-getter, another Canberra, WEI 42, which was in storage at No. 15 Maintenance Unit, Wroughton. In the race it was flown by Flight Lieutenant R N. Furze, and flew to Christchurch. in 24 hours 34 minutes. Squadron Leader P. F Raw and his Royal Australian Air Force i crew had flown their Canberra bomber into second ; place in 24 hours 32 minutes. WEI 42 also bears a special inscription on the nose.