Good News, For A Change!

[Answerprancer]

There is only one operational Lancaster in the UK, the other afaik is in Canada.
Now it looks as if there will be two :-) What a great story.
Ah, it has to be a question...um
...so what do you think of that!?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20886684

[237SJ]

I saw this on TV tonight. I`m not sure I think it is a great way to spend money. There are a lots of aircraft that people would like to keep in the air. Good luck to them though (if that`s what they want to spend money on)

[DaisyNonna]

My father-in -law, whom I never met died in a Lancaster bomber at the age of 21, shot down over Belgium. Love to see another in the skies.

[askyourgran]

I think it's great of them to bring the old aeroplane back to life it takes expertise and dedication. I once visited an airfield in Kent where the Spitfire was on display. It makes you realise how difficult it would have been for pilots flying during the war in those aircraft. I'd like to see the Lancaster it was a mighty beast.

[Answerprancer]

What a great project for special people like this to be able to do.
The sound of those Merlin engines gives me goosepimples.
I saw two Hurricanes and a Lancaster flying at Dunsfold a few months ago. There was even a car powered by one of these monster engines! (I got some great photies too!)

[Answerprancer]

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y348/Photator/Lancaster.jpg
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y348/Photator/Hurricane5.jpg
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y348/Photator/HandlyeSpecial.jpg
All pics taken by me at Dunsfold Park (where Top Gear is filmed) a few months ago, the car is the one I mentioned that is powered by a Merlin engine from a Hurricane.

[Answerprancer]

AYG - was your airfield in Kent Biggin Hill by any chance?

[paddywak]

Over the years we've seen the BBMF several times both in the air and on the ground, and I would love to see two Lancs flying in company with the Spitfire and Hurricane. I don't mind admitting that the sound of those Merlins brings a lump to my throat.

[askyourgran]

Not sure what it was called, Conway or Clifton seems to ring a bell, there was a museum attached with the Spitfire and another old plane on show with pilots log etc. quite eerie.

[237SJ]

I`ve been inside that Lancaster (on the ground). The gunner used to sit in a leather slung seat which pitched his head up in the glass bubble in the roof. I managed to squeeze into the glass bubble at the feet of the pilots. That area was so small that I don`t know how all those boys fitted in there. It was a squeeze (even for me and I`m small). Being in that aircraft certainly made me think of how awful it must have been for the crew.

[askyourgran]

Those photos were good AP now you mention it, it must have been a Hurricane that we looked at on the ground, the Spitfire was on a ramp up slightly higher. I wish I could remember the name of the airfield.
Just seen the Lancaster on the news. Apparently it still needs an engine.

[jno]

two Lancasters, will they be able to breed from them?

Great photos, AP

[Ratty2E]

I think it's brilliant I really hope they can get it flying, although it will be a never ending money pit. As others have said it really does bring a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye to see these things flying. We get the BoBMF he every year for the airshow and last year the lanc did a very low level pass over my garden. It was spectacular and an unforgettable experience.

[Answerprancer]

Thankyou AYG.
I will have to research it, I love aviation museums. There's a great little one near Dungeness, mostly full of memorabilia, shrapnel and recovered chunks of crashed aircraft.
I'm sure they'll be able to find an engine for it after they've come so far with the restoration.
I agree 237 - basically the rear gunner was situated in a glass bubble facing direct hostile fire, it must have been terrifying.

[askyourgran]

Just googled about and I think it was Manston Airfield nr. Ramsgate in Kent It was a few years ago now but I found it interesting not just for the Hurricane and the Spitfire but other memorabilia. If you are in the area it's worth a visit.

[Answerprancer]

Thanks jno. It was quite a challenge trying to get decent captures of the flying aircraft but I have a new camera and better lenses since I took those.
The Lancaster pic came out a bit foggy but the lens I was using was a bit uuurgh.
Yes, maybe they could get the two of them together in a hanger and play erotic Merlin engine music and see what happens!

[Answerprancer]

Thanks for that info AYG.

[jno]

the photo of the car's perfect - blurred background and all. I wish I'd taken that.

[Ann]

Think you will be interested in this story Sqad!

[Answerprancer]

I think AOG would like it too, sadly mine and his relationship lies in shreds on the News Section floor so I feel I can't alert him to this.