Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane' | East Kirkby 26th August 2024

[@kmg3658]

Dam Busters! Very cool.

[@brianwillson9567]

Was not this originally bought as a memorial to a lost brother? Now, so close to flying.

[@gibson617ajg]

Yes. Fred and Harold Panton bought the Lancaster to honour the memory of their older brother Christopher - who was killed on the infamous Nurenburg raid on 30th/31st of March 1944. His aircraft was probably shot down by a nightfighter. An incredible 95 aircraft were lost that night - mainly due to unfortunate atmospheric conditions which made the bombers unusually visible to the Luftwaffe pilots (they were leaving contrails!) who then decimated the formations. Strong, unexpected winds also forced them off course - leading them over some of the most heavily defended areas. Chris was actually flying in a Halifax, not a Lancaster - I'm sure that Fred and Harold would have liked to have purchased one as a memorial to their big brother but they were extremely hard to find, let alone purchase.

[@brianwillson9567]

@gibson617ajg thank you for this info. There are few enough Lancs, but it was criminal for no halibags to avoid the cutters torch. Mega kudos to all involved in Halifax 'restorations and recreations'.

[@gibson617ajg]

@@brianwillson9567 You're welcome. If you're ever in the area, the Yorkshire Air Museum has a beautiful example of a Halifax - it's actually assembled from parts from various sources. I seem to remember that one 'reclaimed' part of it was being used as a chicken-coop! It's a 'bitsa this, bitsa that' but it's a beautiful aircraft.

[@brianwillson9567]

@gibson617ajg yes, I've got the book by the guy behind the whole project. Yes it really did start with the chicken coop. Its such a pity that it is nowhere near airworthy, but an absolutely fantastic achievement.

[@gibson617ajg]

@@brianwillson9567 Have you ever visited East Kirkby? My wife bought me a Taxy ride in 'Just Jane' for my Birthday years ago. I forget how many they allow on board per run but I was determined to be first in the queue. Unfortunately I was second in line BUT the guy in front inexplicably climbed aboard and went to the rear turret 😀 I climbed over the wing spar, headed for the cockpit and stood behind the pilots seat. The pilot was Mike Chatterton - whose father was a Lancaster pilot instructor at East Kirkby. He fired up the Merlins - the Port inboard prop seemed VERY close and we Taxyed out. The Merlin music was marvellous - as were the vibrations as she came alive - then on came the brakes and he opened the throttles. My goodness, what must those brave boys have been thinking.......

[@BradBrassman]

SURELY they should allow that to fly soon?

[@omegacouchpotatoe5998]

We can only hope , because Calgary Alberta has one also that can taxi but not allowed to fly