The personnel of No 2 Squadron RAAF in front of one of their Canberra B20 bombers at Phan Rang, South Vietnam. This photo was taken just before the unit returned to Australia in June 1971.

In 1948 the Australian Defence Force began seeking a replacement for its piston-engined Avro Lincoln heavy bomber.

Investigations into a more modern replacement resulted in the order of 48 English Electric Canberra jet bombers in 1950.

The Canberra jet bombers were built by the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) under licence in Australia. Additionally, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) built the aircraft's Rolls-Royce Avon engines in Australia.

The aircraft were based on the British B.2 version but with provision for increased internal fuel capacity in a redesigned wing, a revised radio suite and a reduction in crew from three to two – needing only a pilot and navigator/bomb aimer.

The first 27 aircraft were powered by two 6,500 lb thrust Avon Mk. Is and the remainder by 7,500 lb thrust Avon Mk.109s.

The Australian-built aircraft was designated simply the Canberra Mk 20 and the serial numbers A84-201 to 248 were applied.

The first GAF-built Canberra Mk 20, A84-201, flew in May 1953 and entered service with No 82 Wing in December of the same year. No 2 Squadron was the first to receive the Canberra , followed by No 6 Squadron in 1955 and No 1 Squadron in 1958. The 48th and last Canberra Mk 20 was delivered in September 1958.

Canberras from No 2 Squadron became the first Australian jet bombers to perform a combat sortie in September 1958, when an attack against guerillas in Northern Malaya was carried out. Nine years later, the squadron was sent to Vietnam as part of Australia 's large commitment to that war, remaining there until June 1971.

Operating as part of the US Air Force's 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, No 2 Squadron's Canberras flew just six per cent of the Wing's sorties but inflicted 16 per cent of the damage. Overall, 11,963 sorties were flown in Vietnam, 76,389 bombs dropped and two aircraft lost.

By the time it returned to Australia, No 2 Squadron was the last Royal Australian Air Force operational Canberra unit, Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons having temporarily converted to F-4E Phantoms while they waited for the F-111s to arrive.

No 2 Squadron continued flying Canberras well past their planned retirement date. Officially ending the aircraft's distinguished RAAF career on 30 June 1982 by flying four aircraft over Brisbane and surrounding areas in a farewell fly-past.