Two Lancasters

[Crimea_River]

My money says it won't happen over here unless someone finds a pristine Lanc in an abandoned barn.

Great shots Karl A dramatic sky and tricky to shoot. You did well.

 

[Airframes]

Although not impossible, it's improbable that the BBMF Lanc will travel to Canada. It was re-sparred a couple of years back, in order to extend it's life for the display circuit for as long as possible, having already completed 50 years of display flying.
But even with that, it's restricted to a certain amount of hours per year, again to extend the length of time it can fly, and already does upwards of 500 displays per year. Being owned and operated by the RAF as a 'service' aircraft, as opposed to a civilian-owned example, where funding is restricted to normal MoD operating budgets, may also be an important consideration - there is no provision for sponsorship or donations, or other financial assistance in the form of fees or such like. Even the crews and ground-crews are volunteers, the aircrews in particular, being serving pilots, those flying the fighters being OCU Instructors, give up their weekends and spare time in order to practice and display. This is another factor which at times can limit availability, unlike crews used by a civilian organisation.
It may be that the 'reciprocation' has been provided in the form of the World's only complete Hawker Typhoon, being on loan and in Canada now, although that's just my personal 'feeling'.
That said, who knows what may happen in the future?
As for sending a Spitfire or Hurricane, that isn't beyond the realms of possibility, although the RAF BBMF don't have a two-seater on strength, those in the UK being privately owned.
If the Lancaster at East Kirkby ever proceeds to airworthiness, and it's a big 'IF', then that would be in a stronger position to make the trip, as sponsorship and air show fees should at least cover the costs of the transit and displays.
Personally, I would love to see the UK send a Lanc over, and it would be sure to be a very major attraction at any air show or event.
Every air show in the UK slated for the appearance of both Lancs here at present, has sold out, some even before a general announcement of ticket availability. The show that Karl and I attended, at Little Gransden, virtually doubled their 'gate' this year, and had sold all tickets well before the show date.
The show was for the benefit of 'Children in Need', a UK charity which has been going for some years, and by 11.30 in the morning, the donations to the charity had already doubled the total income from last year's show!!
It was very evident that a very large proportion of the spectators, travelling from all over the UK, and parts of Europe, had come just to see the two Lancasters, and also the Vulcan. Once these 'acts' had done their stuff, the crowds began to thin noticeably, although there was still a huge amount of people still on the small, grass airstrip.

 

[GrauGeist]

Too bad there isn't a vintage Convoy Escort or Jeep carrier available to load the Lanc aboard and shuttle across...that would certainly keep the airframe hours down, wouldn't it?

Then again, a modern LHA would fit the bill nicely, too...

 

[A4K]

Damn good idea Dave! The MoD could write off the costs as a joint logistics training exercise
Another option could be to send her over in a C-17...

 

[GrauGeist]

Well, it sounded like a good idea...plus, think of the publicity!

As far as a C-17 goes, the C-5 is the bigger set up. But even if you used the AN-225, there would be disassembly...we want to get that Lanc over in one piece!

So a flat-top is the only way to go!

 

[Wildcat]

Awesome shots Karl, I'm seriously jealous man!

 

[A4K]

Well, it sounded like a good idea...plus, think of the publicity!

As far as a C-17 goes, the C-5 is the bigger set up. But even if you used the AN-225, there would be disassembly...we want to get that Lanc over in one piece!

So a flat-top is the only way to go!

But think of the great opportunity for detail photos with her outer main planes, nose and mid fuse seperated! Perfect for modelmakers!

 

[rochie]

Yes, the lighting was tricky at certain angles, even my Nikon was struggling with some. You did well with the little Fuji.
It was a great show though, a bit different from the usual Duxford stuff, and very well organised. And the Vulcan ..... just WOW! - with a capital 'F' !!!

yes mate the Vulcan was incredible, impressive as always !

 

[GrauGeist]

But think of the great opportunity for detail photos with her outer main planes, nose and mid fuse seperated! Perfect for modelmakers!

Make the diarama anyway!

Get a C-5 and a Lancaster in 1/72 scale...the C-5 will be big, though: 104 cm wide by 93 cm long! (the Lanc's fuselage will be about 30 cm)

 

[Airframes]

Or make the diorama with the Lanc on the deck of a modern carrier .......... if you have a hangar in your back garden !!
I've started a thread in the Warbird Displays section, under 'Two Lancs and the Vulcan !'

 

[rochie]

ok back to pics

Spitfire XVI

 

[Jeff Hunt]

Classically beautiful. 1st one looks like he is rolling in to attack a ground target.

Cheers,

Jeff

 

[Wayne Little]

 

[rochie]

thanks guys, this particular spitfire is on its first display season after being restored from bein a gate guardian !

Cessna and Tiger Moth.

 

[Geedee]

Vera is now grounded for a while following losing No2 during a sortie. She was flown back to base and hangared. She is now NOT flying this weekend at various locations. There are loads of pics on facebook showing the landing with white smoke pouring from No2

 

[rochie]

Vera is now grounded for a while following losing No2 during a sortie. She was flown back to base and hangared. She is now NOT flying this weekend at various locations. There are loads of pics on facebook showing the landing with white smoke pouring from No2

Wow, hope it's not serious !

 

[pbehn]

Vera is now grounded for a while following losing No2 during a sortie. She was flown back to base and hangared. She is now NOT flying this weekend at various locations. There are loads of pics on facebook showing the landing with white smoke pouring from No2

I picked my mother up this morning (29 Aug) to take her to tend her mother and brothers graves. As we left her house at 10.10AM a lancaster passed overhead coming down to land at Durham Tees Valley, wheels down into a strong head wind but no smoke visible, it looked like Vera to me. Very touching because he was a BC veteran.

 

[Marcel]

Karl, nice pic of the tigermoth. The first one, I mean. It's almost a painting.

 

[Gnomey]

Excellent shots Karl!

 

[rochie]

Quote... "Captain Don Schofield, chief pilot, who flew the Lancaster both yesterday and today, said: "During a brief flight this morning, with museum members on board, the aircraft suffered an internal oil leak on the starboard outer engine"