Canberra PR9.

[eno]

I've just watched a programme about the aircraft in the subject line. The PR9 is due to be retired from operations in 2006.
At this time the Canberra in all of it's types will have been in continuous operational service with the RAF for about 55 years.

Here's the poser ........ is this a record? ..... Is there any other aircraft out there that can match this service record?

cheers
eno

[Craig.]

Currently? I dont think so, But I believe come its retirement the B52 will have surpassed it. If it isn't close already

[Hagar]

The Canberra is certainly an amazing aircraft & has given wonderful service. I remember having a discussion about this some time ago & the Canberra is certainly a candidate for length of service as far as the RAF goes. I think the Chipmunk also comes close as this entered service before the Canberra & there's a couple with the BBMF that are still on the RAF inventory. I think this also applies to the other BBMF aircraft like the Dakota & maybe the Spitfires & Hurricanes as some have been in continuous service - although these might not qualify as they've been purely display aircraft for some years now.

As for world records with other countries services I have no idea.

PS. The Canberra first entered service with 101 Squadron on 25 May 1951 as a medium bomber. http://news.mod.uk/news/press/news_headline_story.asp?newsItem_id=3478
The Chipmunk entered RAF service during the previous year (in 1950 although I don't know the date). I'm wondering if there are any plans to keep a Canberra airworthy. It seems a shame if they allow them to be scrapped as with so many of these famous types in the past.

[Hagar]

Currently? I dont think so, But I believe come its retirement the B52 will have surpassed it. If it isn't close already

According to this the B-52B entered service in 1955, four years after the Canberra. http://www.fighter-planes.com/info/b52.htm
I don't know how long it will continue or what, if anything, will replace it.

[Craig.]

According to this the B-52B entered service in 1955, four years after the Canberra. http://www.fighter-planes.com/info/b52.htm
I don't know how long it will continue or what, if anything, will replace it.

Both very simmilar in that sense. So effective that there is really nothing to replace it.

[Felix/FFDS]

The DC-3/C-47 .....  Antonov 2 ...

Even after the retirement of the Canberra PR.9  (and I wouldn't be surprised if it makes a "comeback"), the RB-57B - high altitude recon version is still soldiering on with NASA, and is expected to continue in service until (at least 2010)

The Chipmunk was retired from the Portugese Air Force in the 90's  and a few examples were recently brought back into service.

IF you're going to include the BBMF, then I think the Hurricane counts as the longest serving type  (If only because it preceded the Spit into service by a few weeks?)

[Jakemaster]

yeah, I believe the DC-3/C-47 probably holds the record.  If not only for military service definately for overall commercial services.

[C]

At this time the Canberra in all of it's types will have been in continuous operational service with the RAF for about 55 years.

Probably nothing beats that yet, if we're talking operational service...

[eno]

Probably nothing beats that yet, if we're talking operational service...

That's what I was thinking Charlie it's the OPERATIONAL part that makes the Canberra unique ...... although I can't find any records confirming this.

[Hagar]

Probably nothing beats that yet, if we're talking operational service...

Depends on how you look at it & what is meant by operational. Would a trainer like the Chipmunk be considered an operational aircraft? The BBMF Chippies are still used as trainers, the job they have always been used for & I believe they're still on the RAF inventory.

[HawkerTempest5]

Hawker Hurricane MkIIc LF363 was buit in January 1944, believed to be the last Hurricane delivered to the RAF, and it was in continual service with the RAF until it crashed in September 1991 making it the longest serving aircraft in the RAF.

[eno]

Depends on how you look at it & what is meant by operational. Would a trainer like the Chipmunk be considered an operational aircraft? The BBMF Chippies are still used as trainers, the job they have always been used for & I believe they're still on the RAF inventory.

The Chippy is not listed on the current RAF inventory.... not according to the RAF site anyway.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/acref.html

But they are listed in the Misc units inventory
http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/strength.html

[Hagar]

Hawker Hurricane MkIIc LF363 was buit in January 1944, believed to be the last Hurricane delivered to the RAF, and it was in continual service with the RAF until it crashed in September 1991 making it the longest serving aircraft in the RAF.

Ah, but was this operational service or partly as a display aircraft? I can't imagine any air force in the world still using the Hurricane as a front line fighter in 1991. This all depends on what you regard as 'operational' & 'continuous service' & whether a trainer like the Chipmunk is considered an operational type. The only model of Canberra now in RAF service is the PR9 as according to the MoD website the last remaining T4 was retired on 1 September 2005.
Both are somewhat different to the B2 that first entered service in May 1951 & the first PR9 was not delivered until 1959.

Sorry if this appears pedantic but the criteria for this sort of thing are very often not too clear.

[eno]

You're bloody quick Doug ......... I was only adding the second link to my post about the RAF inventory and wallop you'd replied..... and HawkerT too.

Surely ...... as a type rather than a specific model ..... its between the Chippys in the BBMF and the PR9s. It's just the definition of Operational that's in question.

[Hagar]

The Chippy is not listed on the current RAF inventory.... not according to the RAF site anyway.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/acref.html

But they are listed in the Misc units inventory
http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/strength.html

I'm not sure about the specifics but the BBMF is operated by the RAF which I assume means that the aircraft are still regarded as operational RAF types. At least some of these aircraft have been in 'continuous service' as they were never disposed of by the RAF. I don't know the history of the Chipmunks they still use for taildragger conversion.