Canadian Lancaster to visit the UK
Discussion
More info here: https://twitter.com/bigjimfurness/status/513677250...
Just got in. 24 hours in total.
Ended up sleeping in the back of the van last night at Ladybower and had a steady walk up Pike Low this morning about 10am...got a good spot, then waited 4 hours, but boy was it worth the wait. The view was surreal, the noise was out of this world!
Only downside was the 2 hour queue to get out the car park and back onto the A57.
Ended up sleeping in the back of the van last night at Ladybower and had a steady walk up Pike Low this morning about 10am...got a good spot, then waited 4 hours, but boy was it worth the wait. The view was surreal, the noise was out of this world!
Only downside was the 2 hour queue to get out the car park and back onto the A57.
Still trying to get home from the Derwent flypast. Stood just by the dam this year. A Marvelous sight, a ripple of polite applause along the water on each pass. A lovely day in total just chatting with those around.
Then the 2 hour attempt to leave. I finally reached the A57 at 7-20, but that is no way the BBMFs fault. Thumper and VeRA put on a fitting tribute to those aircraft and crews that came before them. Well done to all those on the flight who got it to happen
Then the 2 hour attempt to leave. I finally reached the A57 at 7-20, but that is no way the BBMFs fault. Thumper and VeRA put on a fitting tribute to those aircraft and crews that came before them. Well done to all those on the flight who got it to happen
Mutley said:
Then the 2 hour attempt to leave. I finally reached the A57 at 7-20, but that is no way the BBMFs fault. Thumper and VeRA put on a fitting tribute to those aircraft and crews that came before them. Well done to all those on the flight who got it to happen
You must have been near to me in the queue then.Apparently it was due to a combination of the temp. traffic lights, a crash on the A57 and the roadworks in Hathersage. We were parked up near the finish line of the 50km run, so got to chat with all sorts of people about the day, while we waited, basically still "buzzing" from what we had experienced.
A truly wonderful day, with all sorts of emotions. Stilling struggling to comprehend what the 133 people went through during the raid.
Here's a video of their 3rd pass. Sorry for the quality/useless aim of my camera. I was just guessing where the camera was pointing, as I didn't want to watch them through the LCD screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XACrr_HZ8Is&fe...
Edited by Woody3 on Sunday 21st September 22:34
Well what a great day. Went to a car show at Woolley in the morning then headed over the Snake for about 1ish.
We decided to park the car about halfway up between the Snake and Derwent dam on the western side and took our chairs and snap down to the waterside to wait.
What can two blokes do with a couple of hours to kill do while the womenfolk natter away? Build a campfire of course
I'd received a text telling me that the Spit and Hurricane were due over at 1530 so we kept the fire fed then went down to the shoreline to wait. A few minutes after half past we heard the fighters approaching from around the bend in the reservoir and then there they were, the Spit being chased by the Hurricane following the course of the water.
Damn they were good the noise and sight of them nigh on overhead at only a few hundred feet had me as giddy as a dog with two dicks. They disappeared up over the eastern hills with a tightish turn and climb only to see them come back around a few minutes later for what seemed like a faster run. The Hurricane looked to do a slight wing waggle and a bit of a missing man manoeuvre in the tight valley before we lost sight of them downstream.
Only another half hour ish to wait for the bombers so with nowt else to do apart from look at the photos I'd taken of blue sky and bits of aeroplane we built the fire up again.
By ten past four we were once again at the shore skimming stones and throwing half charlies into the water reconstructing Barnes Wallis' famous bomb (or so I'd like to think in my childish mind) while we waited for the heavies.
Then we heard the drone of the eight Merlin's well before they were over the dam, much louder than I remember when I saw them at Waddington only to see them come over the trees straight above us higher than the fighters but not at 500foot I'm sure. Goosebumps and raised neck hairs were visible I'll bet. Only then I remembered to snap a few photos with my phone.
We thought they'd do a go around like the fighters but a few minutes later they returned heading upstream following the water this time.
By 'eck they didn't half look imposing. Imagining squadron loads taking off night after night not knowing if they'd return brought a lump to my throat. I still had that thought as I lost sight of them to my right.
Could it get any better? I doubted it. During the afternoon we'd commented that we'd have rather been on the eastern shore as you'd have got a better view down the valley towards the dam but on the final pass in the late afternoon the sunlight shone off the pair's paintwork. Now that was the money shot and the sight that I'll remember from today as Thumper led Vera home after paying her respects in the light of a setting sun.
I'd like to pass on my thanks to the BBMF,CWHM and the many others that made today possible as its something I'll never forget.
Oh and to the Merlin that had a cheeky flyby as we were heading up the hill that had me running from the trees to the shoreline like some south sea cannibal upon seeing a shipwreck. All I needed was a loincloth
We decided to park the car about halfway up between the Snake and Derwent dam on the western side and took our chairs and snap down to the waterside to wait.
What can two blokes do with a couple of hours to kill do while the womenfolk natter away? Build a campfire of course
I'd received a text telling me that the Spit and Hurricane were due over at 1530 so we kept the fire fed then went down to the shoreline to wait. A few minutes after half past we heard the fighters approaching from around the bend in the reservoir and then there they were, the Spit being chased by the Hurricane following the course of the water.
Damn they were good the noise and sight of them nigh on overhead at only a few hundred feet had me as giddy as a dog with two dicks. They disappeared up over the eastern hills with a tightish turn and climb only to see them come back around a few minutes later for what seemed like a faster run. The Hurricane looked to do a slight wing waggle and a bit of a missing man manoeuvre in the tight valley before we lost sight of them downstream.
Only another half hour ish to wait for the bombers so with nowt else to do apart from look at the photos I'd taken of blue sky and bits of aeroplane we built the fire up again.
By ten past four we were once again at the shore skimming stones and throwing half charlies into the water reconstructing Barnes Wallis' famous bomb (or so I'd like to think in my childish mind) while we waited for the heavies.
Then we heard the drone of the eight Merlin's well before they were over the dam, much louder than I remember when I saw them at Waddington only to see them come over the trees straight above us higher than the fighters but not at 500foot I'm sure. Goosebumps and raised neck hairs were visible I'll bet. Only then I remembered to snap a few photos with my phone.
We thought they'd do a go around like the fighters but a few minutes later they returned heading upstream following the water this time.
By 'eck they didn't half look imposing. Imagining squadron loads taking off night after night not knowing if they'd return brought a lump to my throat. I still had that thought as I lost sight of them to my right.
Could it get any better? I doubted it. During the afternoon we'd commented that we'd have rather been on the eastern shore as you'd have got a better view down the valley towards the dam but on the final pass in the late afternoon the sunlight shone off the pair's paintwork. Now that was the money shot and the sight that I'll remember from today as Thumper led Vera home after paying her respects in the light of a setting sun.
I'd like to pass on my thanks to the BBMF,CWHM and the many others that made today possible as its something I'll never forget.
Oh and to the Merlin that had a cheeky flyby as we were heading up the hill that had me running from the trees to the shoreline like some south sea cannibal upon seeing a shipwreck. All I needed was a loincloth
7mike said:
Stood on the sand dunes at the end of the runway at Blackpool; damn, it's hard to them them together.
Couldn't make my mind up where to watch from, sand dunes or round the St. Annes side of the airport. Decided on the St. Annes side as that way you would see them land\taxi\take-off, where as if your on the dunes and they take of heading in land you don't see much.Vera landing on Saturday
Thumper being fuelled up Saturday after arrival
Vera being inspected by some of the Air Ambulance staff
Nice parking lot on Sunday morning
Lining up ready for take off
Vera taking off to head towards Southport
Arrows taking off to head towards Southport - never seen them do this before with the smoke.
Some nice pics in the Mail, including the helicopter and some on-board from both Lancs.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2764391/Wo...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2764391/Wo...
Russ35 said:
Couldn't make my mind up where to watch from, sand dunes or round the St. Annes side of the airport. Decided on the St. Annes side as that way you would see them land\taxi\take-off, where as if your on the dunes and they take of heading in land you don't see much.
That was a great you place you had, I don't know the area particularly well and just decided to have a drive over. Saw all the people on the dunes and decided to go & join them. Had a good view over the airfield but of course a bit far away while they were on the ground. Glad they just knocked Pontins down though 
just read a rumour on Facebook that she will be escorted out of UK Airspace.
This from the British Airshows Facebook page:
"There are rumours (stress that these are unconfirmed rumours) that the Canadian Lancaster VeRA will be escorted when she leaves Coningsby in the morning.
The time of departure is 'probably' 10am, but again not absolutely confirmed.
The rumour is that the flight will pass Cranwell, Waddington, Lincoln Cathedral and Scampton before VeRA flies north, first stop Iceland.
Credit to @EGXCinfo for bringing the rumour to light, especially if it proves to be correct."
This from the British Airshows Facebook page:
"There are rumours (stress that these are unconfirmed rumours) that the Canadian Lancaster VeRA will be escorted when she leaves Coningsby in the morning.
The time of departure is 'probably' 10am, but again not absolutely confirmed.
The rumour is that the flight will pass Cranwell, Waddington, Lincoln Cathedral and Scampton before VeRA flies north, first stop Iceland.
Credit to @EGXCinfo for bringing the rumour to light, especially if it proves to be correct."
Nice, I hope the rumour is true, and I hope it's Thumper and the rest of the flight doing the escorting. Although Thumper must surely be close to her annual hours by now?
it's not the same source that rumoured the Vulcan to be at the Derwent yesterday, is it?
Just looking through my photos from yesterday, It would appear that I was close to a couple of PHers on the west side of the dam
it's not the same source that rumoured the Vulcan to be at the Derwent yesterday, is it?
Just looking through my photos from yesterday, It would appear that I was close to a couple of PHers on the west side of the dam
Edited by Mutley on Monday 22 September 13:12
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