CANBERRA T19 : SILENT TARGET. From £95

The withdrawal of UK forces East of Suez after 1968 and the disbandment of Hunter, Javelin, Beverly, Britannia, and Canberra squadrons, together with the delayed entry into service of Phantom and Harrier aircraft, led to a large surplus of pilots in the RAF in 1969. The result was large groups of fast-jet pilots fresh out of training found themselves with nowhere to go. The solution for some groups was a posting to 85 Squadron at RAF Binbrook, operating a mix of ageing Canberra B2 and T19 aircraft in the a target facilities role, sometimes known as The 11 Group Penal Colony.  The artist was among them and remembers: When I arrived, I was asked by one of the older pilots what I had done wrong to be Court-Martialled. He assumed I was on a punishment posting similar to him. Within a few months we had nearly halved the average age of the squadron aircrew as more young first-tourists arrived and we set about making the most of an unglamourous job.

The origina! painting was commissioned by Wing Commander lan Panton, Officer Commanding No 85 Squadron in 1972. The fee was £7.50 with the frame. The painting was recovered from an estate sale in 2025 and has been cleaned and corrected with a fresh background prior to publishing in a very small limited edition of giclée prints.

Canberra T19 WH724 was on the strength of 85 Squadron in February 1972 when the squadron relocated from RAF Binbrook to RAF West Raynham and was split in half to form No100 Squadron at the same base. Because of its camouflage scheme and operational appearance WH724 was a favourite among the pilots.

The title refers to the primary role of both 85 and 100 Squadrons to provide radar target facilities to the RAF Lightning Force and the RAF School of Fighter Control. It was an ungiamorous and often tedious job, enlivened by occasional overseas exercises in Germany, Cyprus and Norway, and by low flying sorties in the UK whenever possible.

Michael Rondot's portrayal of Canberra WH724 flying at low level evading a Lightning is a fine tribute to this magnificent and venerable Cold War aircraft.

The edition is limited to 100 artist-signed and numbered copies, with artist's proofs and remarque prints within the edition, and 25 canvas prints.

For something really special, a remarque pencil drawing of any Canberra and any squadron badges can be added to your print.  Please enter any special requests when ordering or call us on +44 (0)7704 845288 to discuss your individual print order.