Simviation Forum - Longest serving a/c type in the RAF?

May 8^th, 2003 at 8:43am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Out of curiosity, what is the a/c type in continuous service with the RAF?

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Reply #1 - May 8^th, 2003 at 9:02am

Hagar Offline
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Without checking my facts I would think the EE Canberra fits the bill. I'm not sure if a few examples remain in service.

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Reply #2 - May 8^th, 2003 at 9:12am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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nope.

It's got props, it's older, and RAF still has 4 ..... (or 2 or so .... I'm not picky)

The RAF still has in its rolls two types that entered service in the late '30s ....

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Without checking my facts I would think the EE Canberra fits the bill. I'm not sure if a few examples remain in service.

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Reply #3 - May 8^th, 2003 at 9:31am

Craig. Offline
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is this one of those you know the answer we guess? because after research the closest thing i could find to oldest is def the canberra which was 1962.
then hercules

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Reply #4 - May 8^th, 2003 at 9:33am

Hagar Offline
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Quote:

nope.

It's got props, it's older, and RAF still has 4 ..... (or 2 or so .... I'm not picky)

The BBMF operates a C-47 Dakota (built in 1942) although I'm not sure this counts or if it's been in continual service. Roll Eyes

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Reply #5 - May 8^th, 2003 at 9:42am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Didn't the Spitfire and Hurricane enter service in the '30s?

Note that I didn't say "AGE" of the aircraft, rather a/c type ...

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The BBMF operates a C-47 Dakota (built in 1942) although I'm not sure this counts or if it's been in continual service. Roll Eyes

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Reply #6 - May 8^th, 2003 at 9:47am

Hagar Offline
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This was a trick question........as usual. I demand a recount..............! Tongue

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Reply #7 - May 8^th, 2003 at 10:10am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Moi? I would NEVER make a trick question ...

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This was a trick question........as usual. I demand a recount..............! Tongue

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Reply #8 - May 8^th, 2003 at 10:12am

HawkerTempest5 Offline
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The longest serving plane in the RAF is Hawker Hurricane MkIIc LF363. It was built in 1944 but crashed in 1991 and did not fly again for 7 years.

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Reply #9 - May 8^th, 2003 at 11:13am

Hagar Offline
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As a matter of interest.
Quote:

THE CANBERRAS OF 39 SQUADRON
The Winged Bomb

Aircraft : Five PR.9s, four T.4s and two PR.7s

Although the Canberra holds the prize for the longest serving aircraft in current RAF operational service, it still provides a unique strategic reconnaissance capability unmatched by any other platform. Currently the IPT is managing a number of programmes that are aimed at enhancing the operational capability of the Canberra fleet whilst ensuring that the RAF achieves value for money. http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~lesb/39.html

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On its entry into service at RAF Binbrook in 1951, the B.2 Canberra was considered to be the replacement bomber for the RAF's Avro Lincolns and B-29 Washington B-1s. http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~lesb/canb02.html

I'm not sure the BBMF aircraft qualify or that they have been in continuous service. Roll Eyes

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Reply #10 - May 8^th, 2003 at 12:18pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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I agree that it's picking nits as to the BBMF aircraft. In the (current?) issue of Air Forces Monthly, there's a listing of "current aircraft in the RAF" and the BBMF a/c are included. One of the PR Spits was flown by various units, until 1957, and from there transferred to the historical flight. I understand that the last Hurricane went straight to such a flight.

Granted that the BBMF is a special unit and not a "front line" combat duties a/c of the RAF, but my justification of the longest serving aircraft type(s) in the RAF being either the Spit or the Hurricane is based on picking that nit.

For that matter, it's like asking "What is the longest serving ship in the US Navy?" .... USS Constitution - going on almost 200 years of service ... I'm quite sure that there must be such examples in armed forces all over the world.

Quote:

As a matter of interest.

I'm not sure the BBMF aircraft qualify or that they have been in continuous service. Roll Eyes

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #11 - May 8^th, 2003 at 1:40pm

Hagar Offline
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Quote:

I agree that it's picking nits as to the BBMF aircraft.............. but my justification of the longest serving aircraft type(s) in the RAF being either the Spit or the Hurricane is based on picking that nit.

For that matter, it's like asking "What is the longest serving ship in the US Navy?" .... USS Constitution - going on almost 200 years of service ... I'm quite sure that there must be such examples in armed forces all over the world.

Point taken. From one nitpicker to another - Although now in permanent dry-dock, HMS Victory is stlll commissioned & manned by officers & ratings of the Royal Navy. As such, she is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. http://www.hms-victory.com/

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Reply #12 - May 11^th, 2003 at 5:08am

ozzy72 Offline
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Hmmm, tough one, if we include the evolution of the aircraft then probably the Manchester/Lancaster/Shackelton could make it onto the list, as one evolved from the other?

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Reply #13 - May 11^th, 2003 at 9:12am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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The Spitfire and Hurricane would still win out... they're older "types" than the Lancaster (which is still on the RAF rolls with the BBMF)

Quote:

Hmmm, tough one, if we include the evolution of the aircraft then probably the Manchester/Lancaster/Shackelton could make it onto the list, as one evolved from the other?

Ozzy

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Reply #14 - May 19^th, 2003 at 2:23pm

Hot Charlie Guest

I'd suspect the longest continaul service of any aircraft in the RAF is DHC Chipmunk WK518, which was delivered in Jan 52 (prototype flew 1946), and it appears to be in continuous use ever since, OR Spitfire XIX PM631, which never became a gate guardian (but was leased to Shorts). All of the other BBMF types have been out of RAF service at some point, Dakota was serving with the RCAF 'til 1971.

If you talk about type than it would probably be the Hurricane, as I'm sure LF363 and PZ865's service overlaps.

It's a complicated one isn't it...

Cheers

Charlie

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Reply #15 - May 19^th, 2003 at 2:24pm

Hot Charlie Guest

I'd suspect the longest continaul service of any aircraft in the RAF is DHC Chipmunk WK518, which was delivered in Jan 52 (prototype flew 1946), and it appears to be in continuous use ever since, OR Spitfire XIX PM631, which never became a gate guardian (but was leased to Shorts). All of the other BBMF types have been out of RAF service at some point, Dakota was serving with the RCAF 'til 1971.

If you talk about type than it would probably be the Hurricane, as I'm sure LF363 and PZ865's service overlaps.

It's a complicated one isn't it...

Cheers

Charlie

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Reply #16 - May 19^th, 2003 at 2:27pm

C Offline
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Oh yeah,

The Canberra's are all relatively new I believe (at least the PR9's)...

Cheers

Charlie

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