Whilst on the topic of 'What If' Canberra's, I long time ago I had a fascination with the prospect of a carrier-based variant of the venerable Canberra. As already mentioned, I've always appreciated the Canberra's endurance (and agility!).
So this is what I came up with on another forum .......
I have always liked the versatility of the Canberra light bomber design. As I've always liked the idea of a carrier-based variant. I thought I would have a go at doing a couple of variants for use by the Royal Navy, if they had of continued with their Elizabeth Class conventional carrier program.
My navalised/carrier-based Canberra is in answer to the Royal Navy’s Operational Requirement for a cost effective carrier-based ASW/Anti-ship platform to operate from its new Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
The Royal Navy, although deeming the likes of the Grumman S-2 Tracker as an excellent design, although seems it too slow in terms of transit speed to a from patrol/hunting area for practical tactical use.
While it had been briefed by the US Navy of its up and coming VSX program (Lockheed S-3 Viking), to replace the Tracker, the Royal Navy sees this as a long term project that it will follow with interest as it matures into the prototype stage of development.....
As a consequence of both time and cost, of the VSX, the Royal Navy reverted to requesting options of modern ASW sensor systems being fitted into an off-the-shelf aircraft.
English Electric teams up with Grumman to incorporate most of the ASW sensors and avionics into a modified Canberra B (1) 8 airframe
The following modifications are incorporated into the Canberra, so as to carry out the ASW/Anti-ship role:
-Outer wings are hinged for folding to minimize deck-spotting factor and ease of using deck elevators.
-A surface-search / attack radar is fitted
-A Martin style rotary bomb bay/fuel tank arrangement is incorporated (i.e. XB-51, B-57,
Buccaneer style). This is done to allow fuselage fuel cells to be replaced by ASW
avionics in the fuselage.
-Two 16-round sonar buoy launchers are fitted at the rear fuselage
-A retractable MAD boom (as the type used by the Grumman S-2 Tracker) is fitted at the
rear fuselage.
-A tail fin EW/RWR pod is fitted.
-The landing gear is beefed up for carrier-landings
-The nose landing gear has a longer strut /oleo to give an improved angle of attack on
take off
-An additional cockpit is fitted (although I think I like the B-57’s tandem arrangement
better!)
-The RR Avon engines are up rated for more thrust on take off.
-Facilities are made for the fitting of RATO for heavy take offs launches
-A retractable arrester hook is fitted
-Avionics are fitted to allow the use of MK-44 light-weight ASW torpedoes and AS.30
ASM’s
As per the other website I forward the following request:
I welcome anyone to have a go at putting my drawing in Royal Navy colours and markings of the day!
I would like the outer folding wings to lay over more, so as to rest on the engine nacelles (but I can work this out via the 'Paint' program I used to draw the profile!). Once again I welcome anyone who can do this to improve my want of this profile.
M.A.D