The Canberra, a British first-generation jet-powered medium bomber, had its formal origins in a 1944 requirement issued by the Air Ministry for a successor to the de Havilland Mosquito. Among the performance requirements for the type was the demand for an outstanding high-altitude bombing capability and high speed.
The Canberra was introduced to service with the Royal Air Force (RAF), in May 1951.
In 1957, a Canberra established a world altitude record of 70,310 feet (21,430 m) and in February 1951, another Canberra set another world record when it became the first jet aircraft to make a non-stop transatlantic flight.
Both Rhodesia and South Africa used Canberra's in their respective Bush Wars. Rhodesian B2 Canberra together with South African B12 Canberra carried out attacks on insurgents in Mozambique and Zambia as well as attacks upon multiple insurgent's bases in Angola. Ethiopian Canberra's were used against Eritrea and again against Somalia during the 1970s.
SAAF Museum Pretoria Open Day 02.03.2024 Part 2 Statics and Displays
