解説English Electric Canberra PR.3 ‘WE139’ (17358138746).jpg
c/n EEP71110.
Built in 1953, it was immediately modified to take part in the United Kingdom to New Zealand Air Race. The cameras were removed and replaced with extra fuel tanks; this additional weight meant the engines were modified to give more power, and later, more efficient brakes were fitted. The aircraft was also given autopilot and additional navigation aids.
The race took place on the 8th/9th October 1953 and ‘WE139’ was the winner, taking 23 hours and 51 minutes. This included setting a world record time of 5h 13min from London to Basra. The aircraft spent the rest of October carrying out demonstration flights throughout the Far East, returning to Heathrow on 13th November.
In December 1953 it flew to Kitty Hawk for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Wright Brothers' first flight on behalf of English Electric.
In February 1954 it entered sqn service and flew with 540sqn, 69sqn, 39sqn and finally 231OCU. In 1969 its history was recognised and it was retired to RAF Henlow to be stored for the RAF Museum. It was at Hendon when the museum opened and remains on display in the Historic Main Hangars, RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK.