Operation Hatrack – Philippine Evaluation of the Canberra Hosted by No 107 Squadron
The BCAC Canberra had been talked about since details of its development entered the aeronautical press as the first jet-powered tactical bomber for the RAF.
The Canberra B.Mk.I with blind-bombing equipment using H2S was still at least a year away given some systems issues, but the Mk.II with a visual bomb-aiming position in the nose was now in service. Also a year away was the photo-reconnaissance PR.Mk.III version, a maritime reconnaissance variant with ASV equipment and a cannon pack as well as bombs and a conversion trainer, the T.Mk.4.
The first crews on No 107 Squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk had converted at the Bomber Command Jet Conversion Flight at RAF Binbrook on Gloster Meteor fighters. The crews had to have two tours in Bomber Command as Captains for the pilots and highly rated for the navigators and bomb-aimers. The crews were among the crop of Bomber Command, many coming from the de Havilland Mosquito but some from the ‘heavies’, the strategic bombers. Most had at least six months flying experience on their new mounts and they were settling in and starting to push the envelope of the aircraft. Powered by two 6,500lbf Rolls-Royce Avon R.A.3 turbojets the Canberra has a maximum speed of 570mph and a range of 2,600 miles with a service ceiling of 45,000ft. The maximum take-off weight is 50,000lb. The bombload comprises either; one 5,000lb, or two 4,000lb or six 1,000lb HE bombs or smaller bombs can be carried down to 20lb practice bombs in special racks.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) was one of the first to enquire about potentially buying the Canberra to replace their Douglas A-26 Invaders. Initial political overtures were successful and a delegation was despatched to evaluate the Canberra for themselves.
The delegation comprised:
Colonel Florentino Ballecer – the chief of mission and member of the PAF Air Staff, he has wartime experience flying Martin Marylands against Itu Aba.
Captain Namesio Caravara – a pilot with the 15th Bombardment Squadron flying the A-26
Captain Renaldo Robles – a pilot with the 26th Bombardment Squadron flying the A-26
Captain Sergio Garcia – a pilot with the 27th Bombardment Squadron flying the A-26
Major Victor Silayan – commander of the 12th Fighter Squadron flying the MiG-15
Mr. Kayvin Santos – a representative of the Minister of Defence
Monday 13th March
The delegation arrived at London Airport and were taken to the Air Ministry for an official briefing on the Canberra by the RAF, the Ministry of Supply and members of the Westland design and engineering team from Yeovil. The briefing covered the basic design and systems, operating costs, mission efficiencies and technical support considerations.
After lunch they were driven to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough where they were given a more detailed technical discussion on the aircraft and its performance. They were shown around the second prototype B.Mk.2 aircraft and able to inspect the internals. They were then hosted to dinner before settling in a local hotel.
Tuesday 14th March
Five of the PAF delegation were pilots, four with twin-engine experience but lacking jet experience and one with fast jet experience but no asymmetric experience. A brief course was laid on, Squadron Leader Ernest Guthrie and Flt. Lt. Eric Mountjoy were assigned as instructors and two Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7 trainers assigned to Farnborough for jet conversion flying – this was deemed essential by the Air Ministry as the Canberra was a single-pilot aircraft and no two-seater T.Mk.4 was currently available.
So Silayan went up first with Guthrie, finding the Meteor somewhat more sluggish than the MiG-15 he usually flew, indeed at dinner that night Guthrie was keen to talk about the MiG with Silyan as the RAF awaited its first swept-wing jet fighters. Silyan got to grips with the asymmetric power exercises and soon Ballecer and Caravara were up with Guthrie and Mountjoy. Robles and Garcia were the next pair up, Robles finding his first asymmetric touch and go a little tricky but despite a wing-drop, he recovered in time and made it perfect next time around. Everyone passed the truncated course with flying colours and even Santos was treated to a ride before lunch.
During the afternoon Garcia went up with the RAE test crew in the Canberra to observe a high-altitude flight while the others were treated to a tour of Farnborough’s facilities. Silayan was much taken by the stubby delta-winged Boulton Paul P.111 but of course was not allowed to fly it. He enquired why the RAF wanted swept-wings if they had moved on to tailless deltas? Guthrie pointed out it was the future but a hot ride for a typical fighter pilot, explaining how landings needed an unusually high angle of attack.
Wednesday 15th March
The day was spent at Farnborough doing circuits and bumps in the Meteors for most of the pilots, Silayan was able instead to observe another RAE test flight in the second prototype Canberra, a long-range navigational equipment test which took the crew to Orkney and back via the Irish Sea.
Thursday 16th March
While Mr Santos travelled to London for the dry talks of politics and money, the rest of the group was flown to Marham in a de Havilland Devon. With talk of so many top-brass coming to visit Marham no effort was spared in making the airfield as presentable as possible. Every kerb painted, every blade of grass neatly trimmed, aircraft polished to a high finish and every uniform pressed and woe betide anyone who made a mess from the Station Commander’s wrath.
Most of the morning after their arrival was spent in meetings with the Squadron headquarters staff. The CO was Squadron Leader Ernest Cassidy, DFC, and he welcomed the PAF pilots. Given the squadron was still working up, a handful of BCAC test pilots and ground engineers were on hand too. A briefing outlined the itinerary and flying programme. Each of the PAF pilots were assigned a counterpart with whom he would fly, two BCAC and three RAF pilots, and the respective crews.
The afternoon was spent on the flight line, looking over the aircraft and then a full safety briefing, they were reassured tongue-in-cheek that should they prang any of the aircraft the repair bill would be posted to Manila.
Three Mosquito squadrons were also based at Marham so it was a busy place. Using the station ‘hack’ the PAF pilots were given ‘circuits and bumps’ to get used to the landing pattern and local landmarks from the air.
Friday 17th March
Each man joined his appointed crew. Being a three-man aircraft they had to perch beside the navigator in the ‘coal hole’ behind the cockpit on take-off and landing or they could sit in the bomb-aimer’s seat if he wasn’t going on the trip. They all spent a lot of time ‘genning’ up on the Pilot’s Notes, which the RAE was still adding too given the aircraft was brand new.
The day was spent in circuits and bumps and some longer flights, each of the PAF pilots observing their counterpart and going through the flight procedures. In the afternoon they all got a chance to perform at least one fast taxi down the runway to get a feel of the aircraft, albeit firmly on terra firma.
Saturday 18th March
Flying began in earnest.
Ballecer – AM a practice high-level bombing sortie at 30,000ft to the Wash ranges with four 250lb practice bombs released; PM a local familiarisation flight with Ballecer piloting
Caravara – AM an evaluation of navigation equipment with ten 100nm radius circuits of over Eastern England at 30,000ft; PM practice low-level bombing sortie at 5,000ft to Orfordness with four 20lb practice bombs released
Robles – AM a practice high-level bombing sortie at 30,000ft to the Wash ranges with four 150lb practice bombs released; PM a local familiarisation flight with Robles piloting
Garcia – AM briefing on armament options; PM practice low-level bombing sortie at 5,000ft to Orfordness with two 500lb practice bombs released
Silayan – AM a local familiarisation flight with Silayan piloting; PM fighter evasion sortie over Norfolk against Meteors at 30,000-20,000ft with Silayan observing
Sunday 19 March
A day of rest for the group who visited the city of Norwich for shopping and some relaxation.
Monday 20th March
The weather was not good but in the afternoon Robles and Silayan were able to join two No 101 Squadron crews as the unit performed a six-aircraft formation flight to the Cumbrian ranges but poor weather prevented any bomb runs.
Tuesday 21st March
Mr Santos returned from London to rejoin the group.
Ballecer – AM a practice high-level bombing sortie at 35,000ft to the Wash ranges with two 250lb practice bombs released with Ballecer piloting; PM spent reading aircraft manuals
Caravara – AM an evaluation of navigation equipment a flight across the North Sea towards Nordmark and return at 30,000ft
Robles – AM attended a briefing with groundcrews on important servicing aspects of both the Canberra and the Avon; PM a local familiarisation flight with Robles piloting
Garcia – AM AM attended a briefing with groundcrews on important servicing aspects of both the Canberra and the Avon; PM a local familiarisation flight with Garcia piloting
Silayan – AM a local familiarisation flight with stalling tests with Silayan piloting; PM observer as BCAC crew conducted fuel consumption tests at 40,000ft.
Wednesday 22nd March
Caravara and Silayan were flown to Farnborough in a Heron, where they observed BCAC trials and discussed several aspects regarding the Avon engines.
Ballecer – a local familiarisation flight with Ballecer piloting and Santos as passenger; PM flew two practice low-level bombing sorties to Orfordness at 4,500ft and 2,500ft respectively and releasing a total of four 20lb practice bombs
Robles – AM long-range navigational exercise with a circumnavigation of Ireland and return with Caravara piloting with a mean cruising altitude of 30,000ft
Garcia – AM aircraft unserviceable due to brake problem; PM a local familiarisation flight with Garcia piloting
Thursday 23rd March
Caravara and Silayan returned in the afternoon from Farnborough.
Ballecer – AM navigation equipment calibration flight with Ballecer piloting.
Robles – AM practice low-level bombing sortie at 10,000ft to Orfordness with four 20lb practice bombs released with Robles piloting, PM briefing on navigational equipment
Garcia – AM practice low-level bombing sortie at 10,000ft to Orfordness with eight 20lb practice bombs released with Garcia piloting, PM briefing on navigational equipment
Friday 24th March
Open Day with visiting Air and Defence Attachés. See separate report for details.
Santos rejoined the group and during the armament demonstrations both Caravara and Garcia were observers aboard the Canberras.
Saturday 25th March
Another busy day of flying.
Ballecer – AM a practice high-level bombing sortie at 35,000ft to Orfordness with two 250lb practice bombs released; PM Ballecer flew two practice low-level bombing sorties to Orfordness at 4,500ft and 2,500ft respectively and releasing a total of four 20lb practice bombs
Caravara – AM a local familiarisation flight with Caravara piloting; PM long-range navigational exercise at 25,000ft over the North Sea to Newcastle and return overland east of the Pennies
Robles – AM a practice high-level bombing sortie at 25,000ft to Orfordness with one 1,000lb practice bomb released; PM Robles piloted a practice high-level bombing sortie to the Wash ranges at 40,000ft but no practice bombs dropped
Garcia – AM a local familiarisation flight with Garcia piloting; PM long-range navigational exercise at 25,000ft over the North Sea to Newcastle and return overland east of the Pennies
Silayan – AM fighter evasion sortie against Meteors over Lincolnshire at 25,000-15,000ft with Silayan piloting; PM aircraft unserviceable due to No.1 engine generator failure
Sunday 26th March
Mainly a day of rest but in the afternoon Robles and Garcia both managed to fly high-altitude sorties to the Wash but cloud prevented any bomb release.
Monday 27th March
Santos returned to London for more talks. Meanwhile the flying intensified.
Ballecer – AM fighter evasion sortie against Spitefuls at 20,000-15,000ft with Ballecer piloting; PM Ballecer flew two practice high-level bombing sorties to Orfordness at 40,000ft and 30,000ft releasing two 250lb practice bombs each time
Caravara – AM long-range navigational exercise to Aldergrove, Northern Ireland and return with Caravara piloting with a mean cruising altitude of 40,000ft
Robles – AM Robles flew a practice high-level bombing sortie at 45,000ft to the Wash, releasing two 1,000lb practice bombs; PM Robles piloted a fighter evasion sortie against Meteors over Lincolnshire at 35,000ft
Garcia – AM dive-bombing demonstration at Orfordness with dives from 30,000ft with pull out at 4,000ft and release of eight 20lb practice bombs; PM briefing on the cannon pack
Silayan – AM long-range navigational exercise to Ballykelly, Northern Ireland and return with Silayan piloting, average altitude 28,000ft
Tuesday 28th March
Another busy day of flying, Ballecer was flown to Hendon to join Santos in talks.
Caravara – AM aircraft unserviceable due to hydraulic problem; PM Caravara piloted a high-altitude sortie at 30,000ft to Cornwall and back via English Channel
Robles – AM long-range navigational exercise to Acklington, Scotland with fighter evasion en-route and return with Robles piloting
Garcia – AM simulated ground strafing runs at Orfordness with Garcia piloting; PM Garcia piloted three practice low-level bombing sorties between 10,000-2,000ft to Orfordness with release of six 20lb practice bombs
Silayan – AM carried out a full flight test regime including stalls, spinning and asymmetric flight
Wednesday 29th March
The party bid farewell to Marham, following a Mess party last night. Flown to Hendon and then visited the Air Ministry for a farewell meeting before the party travelled to London Airport to return via air home.
Operation Counterpoint – Demonstration of the Canberra for Foreign Attachés by No 107 Squadron
With the arrival of the Philippine Air Force delegation, a decision was made by the Air Staff to conduct a demonstration of the Canberra to a selected audience of foreign attachés at RAF Marham. This was held on Friday 24 March.
Attendees:
Coronel Ernesto Ferdinand Silvas – Military Attaché of the Republic of Argentina
Wing Commander Peter Pearce (Royal Australian Air Force) – RAAF Liaison Officer at the Air Ministry
Capitaine Alphonse Garnier (Armee de l'Aire) – Air Force Attaché of the Republic of France
Walter Schellenburg – Military Attaché of the Republic of Germany
Captain Hendrik Larsen – Military Attaché of the Kingdom of Nordmark
The delegation from the Philippine Air Force
Major Kiril Lipovsky – Military Attaché of the Russian Federation
Colonel James Donovan – Air Force Attaché of the United States of America
Following arrival at Marham the guests were provided by a briefing by the Officer Commanding, No 101 Squadron, Squadron Leader Ernest Cassidy, DFC. This gave a brief outline of the main salient features of the Canberra and its performance and equipment. There was an opportunity to ask questions and briefing packs prepared by BCAC were handed out.
Then the visitors were shown onto the apron and allowed to inspect a Canberra up close, with guided tours of the cockpit by one of the senior officers of the squadron. Photography was not permitted.
Following the inspection a vic of three Canberras from ‘A’ Flight took off to fly a basic routine of formation aerobatics and low-level flypast to demonstrate the aircraft in the air.
After lunch Rolls-Royce held a short talk on jet engine technology and in particular its new Avon axial-flow turbojet. Then Squadron Leader Cassidy conducted a briefing on the armament and discussing briefly future developments such as a cannon pack and future versions equipped for photographic reconnaissance and maritime patrol. There was no discussion of the forthcoming H2S/NBC equipped B.Mk.I.
The party was then ferried by coach down to Orfordness to observe the Canberra in action. Three dummy targets had been erected on the shingle beach, not unlike landing craft in appearance and six Canberras came in for low-level bombing runs at about 2,500ft following shallow dives, all Canberras dropped a stick of 20lb practice bombs with flare/smoke on impact to mark the bursts. Accuracy was good. Captain Namesio Caravara and Captain Sergio of the PAF Garcia were observers aboard the Canberras during this sortie.
On return to Marham the party witnessed a group take off of a dozen Mosquitos of the Marham Wing who were performing a nocturnal exercise before a brief debriefing and transportation back to the railway station.
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