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It joined 104 Squadron on 16th January 1956 and transferred to 103 Sq on the 23rd January 1956. Within two weeks it was seriously damaged due to an unknown cause. Repairs were completed 10th December 56 WJ680 was transferred to 59 Squadron and it damaged by a bird strike on 14th May 1957.The pilot was slightly injured but was able to make an emergency landing at Gutersloh. After repairs from this incident were completed, WJ680 returned to the UK on 30th July 1957 where it remained in storage for 10 years. In late 60s the aircraft was converted to a target tug Canberra TT18 with the recently developed Rushton Winch & Target System. WJ680 was allocated to 27 Maintenance Unit and in 1971, it was then transferred to Tarrant Rushton for final modification prior to issue to 7 Squadron. On 7th Dec 1972 a rudder hinge broke during an air test which jammed the rudder fully to starboard. The pilot chose to land but ordered the navigator to eject beforehand. An emergency landing was made at St Mawgon. The aircraft swung off the runway and the pilot was forced to retract the undercarriage to bring the aircraft to a stop. This time repairs took 27 months and WJ680 was returned to 7 Squadron in February1975.
Repairs were completed and the aircraft returned to the 7 Sq in Nov 1976. When 7 Squadron were disbanded it was then transferred to 100 Squadron WJ680 was returned to British Aerospace for a major service in Jan 1988 and returned to 100 Squadron in May 1988 where it remained till January 1992 when it was sent for storage to Wyton. It was then acquired by Canberra Fight for preservation as a flying example of a Great Aeroplane and flew again on the 16th Feb 1993. WJ680 is now active on the UK display circuit resplendent in her 100 Squadron markings.
The operators of this aircraft will be most interested to hear from any ex 103 Squadron personnel that can add anything to the history of this aircraft and particularly the accident it suffered whilst attached to the Squadron.
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