IT may be 50 years since the first was built, but the Canberra, designed in Warton, is still going strong today. Modern versions of the aircraft are currently in the air over Kosovo in a reconnaissance role and Nasa still operate two.

The original designers and pilots of the Canberra were among guests invited to a birthday celebration at Warton Aerodrome for a re-enactment of the first flight of the first ever Canberra produced.

The plane took off gracefully 50 years to the minute after its maiden voyage and, as happened then, was followed by a Vampire aircraft.

Gary Crosby, managing director of BAe customer support services, said: "It was our intention for the birthday to assemble the original Canberra team and it looks as though we have been successful.

"It was on this day in 1949 at 11.46am that the plane first flew and we should not underestimate its significance as one of military aviation's biggest success stories.

"Perhaps more important is the fact that the Canberra was the aircraft from which the Preston sites grew."

Bee Beamont, pilot of the first flight Canberra aircraft, added: "On May 13, 1949, we held our regular 9am meeting and the VN799 was declared serviceable.

"We had already carried out three hops along the runway and all we had to do was find out what happened between take-off and landing. Because it was Friday 13, some people said that we shouldn't fly it that day but when we finally took the plane up, it was an incredibly smooth sensation."

Among the various guests attending the event were designers Ivan Clowes, Frank Monk, Paul Coonan and John Damp, pictured (l-r).

John said that he knew that the Canberra would be in service for years to come. He added: "It has always been a great plane because it looks right and it was designed right."

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