Brings back memory of attending the Duxford Airshow back in '96 and seeing the BBMF Lanc flyover escorted by several Spitfires. The noise of those lovely engines and the sight of the craft was something special.
I was visiting a friend of mine at an R.A.F. base in 1957, and there were
around 70 or 80 Lancs standing in rows waiting to be scrapped. A forlorn
sight.
raymo
Brings back memory of attending the Duxford Airshow back in '96 and seeing the BBMF Lanc flyover escorted by several Spitfires. The noise of those lovely engines and the sight of the craft was something special.
Malcolm
i visited Duxford in 1989. As I pulled into the carpark, I heard a low-flying roar, and as i got out of the car, a lone B-17 flew over with one wheel up, one down, one engine not turning, smoke belching from another engine ...
i ran to the perimeter fence in time to see it do a perfect touch-and-go on the runway, then the 4th engine started up, the second wheel dropped, and she did a circuit and landed safely.
It turned out that they were filming a little movie you might have heard of: "Memphis Belle", and I just happened to arrive on the day when they were shooting the final climactic scene, when she arrived home badly shot up after her final mission.
The movie makers had assembled an incredible collection of flying WWII war-birds for the film, and they were all on static display around the airfield - what a bonus!
Man the sound of those Merlins there is nothing like it. What a brilliant engine. Some seriously beautiful aircraft at least to my eyes. I remember when I was a kid living north of Adelaide and squadron of P51's flew over heading north to the local military airfield now named Edinburgh, probably was then too, but cannot remember. All I can remember is the sound of those Engines, pretty sure they were Merlins, although I think they had Allison engines as well in the P51 at some time.
Some aircraft are too historical to risk flying. I'd rather see the ex-French Aeronavale Lancaster at Bull Creek fly, but considering the amount of spar deterioration and fuselage corrosion internally, I know it would cost a fortune to do so.
The two Lancs flying are the only 2 airworthy examples in the world, nice to see them still cared for and operational. I went to Duxford in June this year, the highlight was seeing a Spitfire flying and a P51 absolutely tearing up the sky and buzzing the airfield.
The P51 passed just a few few (maybe 50 or so) over our heads as we drove down the highway towards the airfield and put on a fantastic show throughout the day. I'll never forget the whine of the supercharger as it dived on the airfield. I have a few pics and a video I'll dig them out and post.
The sound of the Merlins in first clip was spell binding,and angle of when the two Lancs flew towards clouds,looking towards there tails.quite amazing footage.
Thanks Lewis, I thought that was the case in Australia. I was pretty sure they replaced the Allison Engines that I believe were in the earlier P51's with the Merlins
Side note:
Until just a few weeks ago, I believe there were just two remaining members of Guy Gibson's Dam Busters 617 Squadron still alive - one in Canada, and one in Brisbane (living at the same retirement village as my parents). Sadly, Joe Dacey DFC passed away a few weeks ago - but I am proud to say that he looked at Saturn through my father's 8" LX90 earlier this year.
I have a childhood memory of an airplane graveyard at Sydney airport and it always made me a bit sad.
Often see them as we came out from under the runway on the road into Sydney (so I guess the north side of the runway into Botany Bay).
My brother was a keen model builder and sparked my interest too, and I am sure there was a Lancaster there. The tail and profile is so distincy.
I have wondered what happened to all those old planes.
I am always surprised at how little runway they need to get of the ground. I guess with a bomb load that would be considerably extended though.
When they carried the 22,000lb bomb, they were stripped of everything
that wasn't essential, and they needed every inch of the runway. The larger U.S. bombers couldn't carry that bomb, or anything near as
heavy, mainly because of all the guns and ammunition they needed
for daytime operations.
raymo
It was sometime in the 1920s, and Wheeler, then a recently graduated RFC pilot, was pottering about over southern England when he spotted one of the many abandoned WW1 air bases that still dotted the countryside. On it were some huge sheds, so he landed and taxied over to the nearest one for a look. He climbed down from his aircraft and wandered over to the enormous doors and peered inside... Only to see almost countless lines of S.E.5s.
The air base's lone guard came wandering over and challenged Wheeler, who explained he was just being nosy. The guard wasn't particularly concerned. He told Wheeler that all the hangars were filled with these aircraft, many or most brand new and never-flown surplus production. He also said they were scheduled to be destroyed in a month or so.
Aghast, Wheeler asked the guard if any were available for purchase, but he didn't know, so Wheeler raced back to his aircraft and immediately flew to his own air base and breathlessly raced into his CO's office and told him all about the find.
Together they feverishly contacted the War Ministry (or whatever) who said they'd be willing to part with one or three at 5 pounds a piece.
Nothing could be done for a few days due to training commitments, but, a few days later, and almost delirious with excitement, Wheeler and a number of other pilots crammed themselves into several aircraft and headed straight for the abandoned aerodrome to claim their prizes.
As they approached the base with the huge hangars, a large black patch came into view in the middle of the landing field. On arrival, they found the hangars empty, and the guard explained that a few days earlier the S.E.5s had been dragged out, piled up and set alight. Every last one of them.
Not many tourists at least.
