15/05/13 *** Video here: *** View of cockpit. On the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid on Germa
15/05/13 *** Video here: *** View of cockpit. On the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid on Germany, a Lancaster bomber is put through its paces taxying along a Lincolnshire airfield. Just Jane, as she is known, is set to become Britain's second flying Lancaster after a full restoration should see her take to the skies next summer. The Avro Lancaster bomber, NX611, was built in 1945 after VE day and was due to be sent to fly missions in the Pacific. But after the atom bombs were dropped she became surplus to requirements and was then sold to the French in 1952. She returned to Britain 1965 and last flew in 1972. All four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines have been rebuilt and power the iconic aircraft as she takes passengers on tours of the airfield in East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. "Before she can fly again we'll need to strip her down comletely and rebuild her again before she'll be certified to fly - we're hoping we'll get it done by June next year", said Andrew Panton, one of the many pilots qualified to take the precious Lancaster on its daily airfield tours. The other flying Lancaster is operated by The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at nearby Coningsby. A third Lancaster is still flying regularly in Canada. All Rights Reserved - F Stop Press. Tel: +44 (0)1335 300098.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Photo credit: © Rod Kirkpatrick / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 340, avro, bomber, dam-busters, dambusters, fsp, fstoppress, jane, lancaster, panorama, press, stop