English Electric Canberra B.2
English Electric · United Kingdom · first flew 1950 · bomber
The Canberra B.2 was the initial production bomber variant, establishing the type's distinctive straight-wing twin-jet layout and serving as the primary RAF medium bomber from 1951.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Short, blunt nose compared to the PR.9; fuselage length identical to original prototype dimensions |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Broad straight wing of modest span with engines buried mid-chord mid-span — no leading-edge kink or extended wing root of later marks
- Glazed bomb-aimer nose with a clear perspex panel offset to port under the navigator's position
- Short, blunt nose compared to the PR.9; fuselage length identical to original prototype dimensions
Against the PR.9, the B.2 has a shorter, narrower wing with a straight leading edge; against the T.4, the B.2 retains the glazed bomb-aimer nose rather than a solid fighter-type canopy.
Specifications
- The English Electric Canberra B.2 has a length of 19.9 m (65 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.5 m (64 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 917 km/h (570 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The B.2 entered RAF service with No. 101 Squadron in May 1951, the first jet bomber in British service. It was licence-built in Australia as the Mk.20 and in the United States as the Martin B-57, where it served in Vietnam. The B.2 was progressively replaced in the bombing role by the V-bombers but continued in trials and target-tug roles.
Variants
The B.6 introduced more powerful Avon 109 engines; the T.4 was the two-seat trainer derivative; the B(I).8 was an intruder version with an offset fighter-type canopy.
Where you'll see it
Several B.2 airframes survive in the United Kingdom; the RAF Museum Cosford and Imperial War Museum Duxford each hold examples, and the Martin B-57 variant is displayed at several US museums.
Related aircraft
- English Electric Canberra
- English Electric Canberra T.4
- English Electric Lightning P.1A
- English Electric Lightning F.1
- Douglas A2D Skyshark
- Avro Shackleton
- Fairey Gannet
- Ilyushin Il-30
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.