English Electric Canberra

South Australian Aviation Museum September 2025

English Electric Canberra B.2 — WK165

Built by AVRO at Woodford, UK, in February 1955 and delivered to the RAF in March 1955 English Electric Canberra B.2 WK165 subsequently transferred to the RAAF. In March 1956, it transferred to WRE Edinburgh Field for the Air Trials Unit. Used for flying radar calibration and ranging tasks out of Woomera and Maralinga for many years it also undertook airborne photography of weapons (including Operation Buffalo Atomic Bomb Tests).

WK165 was struck off charge from the RAAF in February 1970. In February 1985, it was at Eureka Aviation Museum Ballarat, Victoria, where it was in open display and suffered from vandalism and the elements. After a long period in storage WK165 underwent restoration and then generously donated to the Museum by Neville Mason. It is displayed in its former white colour scheme, typical of research and weapons testing aircraft based at Woomera.

English Electric Canberra B2 WK165

National Vietnam Veterans Museum March 2025

English Electric Mk.21 Canberra A84-307. Originally built as a B.2, it was converted to a Mk.21 after a mid air collision and a major rebuild. It is currently undergoing restoration at the NVVM.