Other Post Disbandment of 39(1 PRU) Squadron

[Matzos]

It was with great sadness that I attended the Disbandment Parade of 39(1 PRU) Squadron and the retirement of the Canberra PR9 from RAF Service, the parade was held at RAF Marham of the Friday 28th July.

39 Squadron was formed at Hounslow on 15 April 1916 and was immediately tasked with the defence of London from marauding German airships, employing a variety of types (mainly BE2s) in this task. After little initial success, Lt W Leefe Robinson succeeded in downing an airship during the night of 3 September, and was awarded the VC - the RFC's first such award. Towards the end of 1917, German Gotha bombers were now the main aerial threat against London, and the Squadron, and its Bristol Fighters, again had little success until the night of 19/20 May 1918 when the Squadron recorded its first definite kill. This coincidentally, was the last German raid on London.

During the Inter-War period, No 39 moved overseas, and during World War II served with the Desert Air Force on bomber (Bleinheims), reconnaissance (Marylands) and anti-shipping (Beauforts and Wellingtons) duties. With the Allied advance through Italy and south west Europe the unit continued anti-shipping sorties before converting to Marauders and concentrating on bomber tasks.

After the War, the unit moved to the Canal Zone flying Mosquitos until 1953 when Meteors arrived. In 1957, the Squadron, now based in Cyprus, took part in the Suez operations, before moving to Malta and re-equipping with Canberra PR3s. During the 1960s, PR9s arrived, and the unit spent much of its time on high-altitude aerial survey work in the Middle East before returning to the UK in October 1970. In June 1982, the Squadron was disbanded, and not reformed until No 1 PRU at Wyton was given its current title in July 1992.


Motto: Die noctique - 'By day and night'.
Badge:A winged bomb - approved by King Edward VIII in October 1936. The design was based on an unofficial badge long used by the Squadron.

Battle Honours:
Home Defence 1916-1918*
North West Frontier 1930-1931
Mohmand 1933
North West Frontier 1935-1939
East Africa 1940*
Egypt and Libya 1940-1943*
Greece 1941*
Mediterranean 1941-1943*
Malta 1942*
North Africa 1942-1943*
South East Europe 1944-1945*
Iraq 2003.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

The RAF has truly lost an excellent aircraft and a great photographic reconnaissance platform. She will always to known to me as the 'Queen of the Sky'

All the very best to the aircrew and the groundcrew in their future postings. sal; sal;

 

[Bombardier]

A sad day indeed mate

 

[John A Silkstone]

Another page of history is turned.

Silky

 

[Matzos]

The last three Canberra PR9s still in operational service flew their final RAF sortie today, Monday 31 July 2006, when they left RAF Marham in Norfolk for the last time destined for Kemble airfield in Gloucestershire.

PR9's flying in 'missing man' fly pass

The final flight of these famous aircraft signalled the end of a long career in which they served with distinction. The remaining three aircraft - serial numbers XH134, XH135 and XH131 have now been sold to private buyers and are expected to continue flying, albeit in less hazardous conditions than they have been previously used to.

Their flight into retirement follows a series of events to mark the Canberra's contribution to military aviation. On Friday 28 July 2006 a parade and flypast marked the disbandment of the last Canberra Squadron - No. 39 (1 PRU) Sqn. The parade and flypast, which also took place at RAF Marham, officially marked the end of operational service of this venerable aircraft, which first flew in 1949. Friday's events were followed yesterday, Sunday 30 July 2006, by the laying up of the Squadron Standard at St Clement Danes Church on the Strand in London.

On parade; Wg Cdr Clive Mitchell, second from left, inspects the final parade of 39 (1 PRU) Squadron at RAF Marham

The Squadron Standard is laid up at St Clement Danes​

 

[IronFootedBstrd]

Classic aircraft.

 

[Reloader]

The remaining three aircraft - serial numbers XH134, XH135 and XH131 have now been sold to private buyers and are expected to continue flying, albeit in less hazardous conditions than they have been previously used to.

Good though, that they've been sold off rather than scrapped. Maybe still see them at airshows around the country?