XM267 is shown here in 3 Sqn colours at RAF Akrotiri in 1965. Fitted with a gunpack it is on its way to El Adam and then the range at Idris from its base at RAFG Gielenkirchen. This B(I)8 didn't have a very varied career. Built in 1958 and ready for collection on 31 October of that year, it was first issued to 16 Sqn at RAFG Laarbruch. Later XM267 transferred to the charge of 3 Sqn and flew with them until it crashed at Akrotiri on 15 December 1970 - Cat 5 damage, both crew killed as well as a Safety Equipment worker on a flight. It was eventually struck off charge on 1 April 1971. Interesting to note the continued use of large white serial numbers combined with a low-demarcation line of the silver underside.

Built in 1958, this B(I)8 first entered service with 59 Sqn and was with them when they re-numbered to 3 Sqn at RAFG Gielenkirchen, it is shown here in 3 Sqn markings. XM271 was used for trial installations of PTR175 at Marshalls of Cambridge in 1965 before returning to Germany and further service with 3 Sqn. Eventually, as with nearly all the B(I)8s, it was transferred to 16 Sqn at RAFG Laarbruch. The accompanying pictures (click below) were taken after it had been allocated the Ground Instructional number of 8204M. XM271 served as a ground instructional aircraft until 1981 when the fuselage was moved to PEE Foulness. It was sold as scrap in 1990.

Ready for collection on 5 January 1959, this B(I)8 first entered service with Station Flight at RAFG Wildenrath. Shortly it was transferred to the charge of 88 Sqn at Wildenrath and stayed with them when 88 was re-numbered to 14 Sqn. It is shown here at Luqa in 88 Sqn markings with the snake on the fin. In 1963 XM272 was loaned to the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment for two 10-day periods (July 1963 and August 1963), purpose not known. It returned to service with 14 Sqn on 26 August 1963 and remained with the squadron until they stood down in June 1970. As with nearly all the B(I)8s, it was then transferred to 16 Sqn at RAFG Laarbruch. XM272 was Struck off Charge on 20 June 1972 and eventually wound up as a Fire Fighting airframe at RAF Marham.

Sold to Marshalls of Cambridge, XM273 was converted to B(I)68 for Peru. It was test flown as 'G-52' and delivered to Fuerza Aerea Peruana on 25 November 1975 as 253.

XM274 entered service in 1959 by joining the Station Flight at RAFG Bruggen. After a two years or so, it was transferred to the charge of then newly re-formed 3 Sqn at RAFG Geilenkirchen (after January 1961). XM274 moved to RAFG Laarbruch with 3 Sqn (January 1968) and was eventually transferred to the charge of the resident 16 Sqn. It was struck off charge on 24 August 1971, alloted the ground instructional number 8170M and became a decoy aircraft at Laarbruch.

One of 3 Sqn's B(I)8s on a typical low-level exercise over Germany in the mid 1960s - 360kts at 250 feet! At this time, RAFG's B(I)8 squadrons (and 213 Sqn with its B(I)6s) were roled for ground attack and strike missions. Ground attack meant the Canberra was fitted with the four-gun Boulton Paul gun-pack in the bomb bay. Strike missions were esentially nuclear with the RAFG Canberras loaded with a US device for delivery by the infamous LABS method. Used in armament trials in 1963, XM275 went on to serve with 16 Sqn at RAFG Laarbruch. This was yet another Canberra that ended its days ignominiously being used for fire-fighting practice at RAF Wattisham.