Aout (with an accent) is French for August. Sutton or Lutton perhaps?


Appears to be Luton. What follows is what I have gathered off the net in the
past 24 hours:

The certificate commemorates a record ascent to 21,430 meters by an early
experimental jet known as an English Electric Canberra B. II, serial number
WK163. This modified cold-war bomber was crewed by Michael Randrup and his
observer, Walter Shirley, on 28 Aug 1957.

The Canberra bomber rolled off the production line, then diverted to
Napier and modified to carry a Twin Scorpion rocket motor under the tail. This
modification was intended to explore the high altitude potential of the
Canberra, as well as the usefulness of the rocket motor for short-field
takeoffs during combat takeoffs.
Napier built several advanced powerplants through the war years and
continued into the jet age. During the mid 1950s, Napier also worked on
projects involving rocket-assisted takeoffs for heavily loaded RAF warplanes.

WK163 made its rocket ride into the record books on 28 August 1957.
There are several websites devoted to this particular aircraft as it holds a
similar place in British aviation history as Chuck Yeager's X-1. The Canberra
was fitted with a Napier Double Scorpion "NScD1/2" rocket motor, soaring to
70,310 feet. After the series of flights up to the record altitude, it
returned to Napier, where its rocket motors were literally ripped out of the
fuselage. Unlike any other X-plane from the past fifty years WK163 is still
flying high, participating in dozens of airshows and events around Europe. Its
record-breaking commemorative red scorpion on the nose has been removed, and it
now is painted to look like a more typical Canberra bomber.

For the feat, Michael Randrup was presented the 1957 Derry and
Richards Memorial Trophy for professional test pilots. Michael Randrup worked
for Napier rockets as a test pilot and had to be a highly qualified military
pilot to have be chosen for such a flight.

The location of the flight was Luton aerodrome. The certificate has
begun to fade, beginning with the signers, the president of the FAI and HR
Gillman, the Secretary General of the FAI.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt from Les Bywaters great Canberra tribute site:

"Delivered to the RAF in 1955, this B.2 went almost immediately to Armstrong
Siddley at Bitteswell for installation of Sapphire Sa 7s and then on to
Napier's works at Luton Airport. At Napier's, the Double Scorpion was fitted
into the rear of the bomb-bay. This rocket motor was being developed as a
power-booster for the English Electric Co's P.1 (the prototype Lightning).
After its record breaking flight, a red Scorpion was painted on WK163's nose as
well as details of the altitude record."

"A fairly varied career followed in research flying with its transferr to BS
Filton where it was used for testing the short and long life Viper. In 1959
WK163 was again transferred, this time to Radar Research Establishment for
infra-red linescan development. Then WK163 really "came apart". At Pershore in
1968, B.6 wings and engines were fitted. In 1969, the original nose was fitted
to WT327 and WK163 received the nose from B.6 XH568. WK163 was the first Radar
Research Flying Unit Canberra to be handed over to the Royal Aircraft
Establishment Bedford in 1976."

"This aircraft is preserved by "Classic Aircraft Projects" based at Coventry
Airport. CAP maintains it in good flying condition and have hangarage for their
historic Canberra at Bagington (Coventry Airport) courtesy of Air Atlantique.
WK163 usually flies from Coventry in the summer months. CAP carried out a major
refurbishment program during 2002 which meant that WK163 wasn't seen on the UK
air show circuits. In May 2003 however, it flew a classic display in public at
the Coventry Air Day. Gone was the "Scorpion" identity as WK163 took to the air
in the classic grey/black "Bomber Comand 1" colours, as used for Canberras on
their entry into RAF service in 1951. The red lightning flash on the nose could
mean it is intended to be representative of 617 Squadron's insignia."

"WK163 is becoming increasingly popular at air shows, usually flown by David
Piper, this is the only flying "preserved" Canberra in the UK. "


I'll post more as I find it -- but I really wish I could find out more about
Mr. Randrup!

v/r
Gordon