Arriving at RAF Fairford on Friday, 19 July, was one particular aircraft that few people unconnected with the project would have expected to be present at the 2013 Royal International Air Tattoo. Karl Drage spoke to Midair Squadron owner Mike Davis about the return to flight of Canberra PR9 XH134 / G-OMHD.
© Karl Drage – www.globalaviationresource.com
Prior to that morning it had been almost seven years since XH134 had flown for the last time, when she, along with XH131 and XH135, were delivered to Kemble (now the Cotswold Airport) following retirement after more than 45 years of Royal Air Force service and having been acquired by Mike Davis.
© Karl Drage – www.globalaviationresource.com
“We only received the permit yesterday evening”, a very proud Mike tells me, “and she flew for the first time since retirement this morning and then again a little later on. Aside from a very minor compass issue, which was resolved within minutes, she’s behaved flawlessly.”
© Karl Drage – www.globalaviationresource.com
The return to the skies came after a 24-month restoration at the Cotswold Airport under the care of C2 Aviation, including the significant introduction of an electric starting system to replace the previous AVPIN-cartridge method.
© Karl Drage – www.globalaviationresource.com
“The C2 Aviation team has done a tremendous job on the aircraft and the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) was extremely pleased with the way the work has been carried out and documented. Prior to the issuance of the Permit to Test, the only item identified as outstanding was that we were one set of AVTUR markings short on the fuselage. Out came the paint pot and stencil and three minutes later we were good to go! We’ve got 14 more sorties to carry out in the test phase, including some high-level stuff, but we are hopeful of being able to make the aircraft available for some airshows towards the end of the 2013 season.”
© Karl Drage – www.globalaviationresource.com
Mike retains custody of XH135 at Cotswold Airport, which has been used as a source of spare parts for ‘134, while XH131 has since returned home to Northern Ireland, where she was built by Short Brothers in 1959. As such, XH134 remains the world’s only airworthy example of the Canberra PR9. Midair Squadron also owns Hawker Hunter T7s G-XMHD (perhaps best known as Kemble’s ‘Blue Diamonds’ aircraft, XL577) and the recently acquired G-VETA.
© Shaun Schofield – www.globalaviationresource.com
“Digital blueprints have been taken of the markings and colour schemes on all three aircraft so they can be returned to their former glories at some point in the future, but, for now, we’ll paint all three aircraft up in a homogeneous paint scheme that commercial entities will then be able to sponsor for displays at all manner of events within the UK and beyond. Interest has already been significant and dialogue remains on-going with a number of global brands.”
© Shaun Schofield – www.globalaviationresource.com
The Midair Squadron will formally launch later in the year when more details will be available on www.midair-squadron.com
Look out for an extensive article on the XH134 story in Issue 20 of Global Aviation Magazine.
Karl Drage extends sincere thanks to Mike Davis and to Lucy Parsons of Inter Relations & Co.
Although I never worked on the PR9, I had the privilege of serving on 8 Squadron (Hunters) at Khormaksar and Bahrain from 1962-64 when XH134, and several others from 13 and 39 Sqns, made regular visits. We shared the line at Bahrain with the 13 Sqn detachment and became very fond of the aircraft. Being an avid amateur photographer I snapped just about every aircraft that passed through these and other MEAF bases and am pleased to say that XH134 and XH135 feature among them. If there is sufficient interest in seeing these beautiful machines in the early days on an appropriate website, I would be pleased to make them available.
I also attend the arrival of the final three PR9s at Kemble in 2006 and took a series of photographs on the day, but I guess there are plenty of images from this occasion already available.
It’s great to see XH134 airborne once again and I am sure it will be a popular participant at air shows. Looking forward to the experience!
Hi there Ginge, how are you keeping? Was on B6s and T4s before 8 Squadron. We used to arm the B6s with the “Atomic Bomb” after modifying the bomb bay doors because of the fins on the weapon.
I was a Navigator on 13 Sqn and also on No. 1 PRU. both oufits had operated XH134 whilst I was with them. My last trip in this aircraft was when Sid Deakin and I delivered her to Belfast Harbour for a major & refurb. on 14th April 1987.
It is great to hear that XH134 is flying again. I was a Navigator and served on No. ! PRU in 1987 and last flew XH 134 on a delivery flight to Shorts in Belfast on 14th April 1987, I also flew sorties in XH131 & XH 135 that month. I would very much like to see it flying again. Could you let me know where I might see it?
Thanks for the comment, Tim! Always good to hear from people who operated these aircraft in service.
In answer to your question, the aircraft’s display calendar is yet to be announced.
Much as I would have been very hesitant to travel around in that claustrophobic-looking nose position, it will be amazing to see this aircraft flying, one I have always loved, and particularly the reconnaissance version. Excellent work seems to have been done by all concerned and they must be delighted. Looking forward to seeing XH 134 “in the flesh”.
Excellent news – I was there seven years ago @ Wadington and have been waiting for this day – saddly my dad passed away last year but I’m sure he was sat on a cloud watching.
Regards
Richard