Lancaster fuselage?
Discussion
On monday I saw a low loader on the A24 between Dorking and Horsham travelling on the opposite carriageway carrying about two thirds of the fuselage of a Lancaster. It was largely covered over but I could see the canopy and nose section, which had the outline of a Canadian Maple leaf (painted over in yellow). I wasn't able to get a photo as it had gone by the time I'd realised what it was. I did wonder if it was real or maybe a mock up/film set type thing possibly from the new Dambusters film?
Anyway, does anyone know anything about it?
Anyway, does anyone know anything about it?
Eric Mc said:
Was it silver and white or in WW2 Bomber Command camouflage colours?
It was in brown camo, but looked to be half way through a paint job as sections were in primer. Oh I forgot to mention it pulled out of a little side road/drive onto the dual carriageway, maybe I'll go for a poke about up there later!
Simpo Two said:
My spies report it was on display at the War and Peace Show at Beltring in Kent alongside a smaller cockpit section.
Yep details here.http://www.warandpeaceshow.co.uk/News/Press-Releas...
"few were even picked up from the site of a crashed wartime Lancaster in which seven Canadians died. These include part of a compass which would have been positioned right next to the pilot's knee."
Hmm bit too much like grave robbing for me, not quite sure im happy about that, same as I dont like divers taking bits of sunken ships where a lot of people were killed.
Hmm bit too much like grave robbing for me, not quite sure im happy about that, same as I dont like divers taking bits of sunken ships where a lot of people were killed.
As long as the recoveries are done with dignity and the permission of any surviving relatives, then I don't see any problem. Aviation archeology is a recognised enthusiast interest. If and when human remains are found on a site, the usual procedure is for the War Graves Commission to be contacted immediately and all recovery work ceased until the remains have been removed and relatives (if any) notified.
Most relatives are happy for recovery to recommence and are usually grateful that a proper resting place can be found for their father/grandfather/uncle etc.
Most relatives are happy for recovery to recommence and are usually grateful that a proper resting place can be found for their father/grandfather/uncle etc.
If it's fuselages you're after check out this baby. It's a replica but all the electronics work:
http://website.lineone.net/~norman.groom/
http://website.lineone.net/~norman.groom/
I've just posted some pics of this Lancaster fuselage on FlickR: the pics were taken in sept 2012 at Brooklands, Weybridge, but i dont know anything about this exhibit from the Brroklands website. I read the above string but didn't understand what the conclusion was? Anyone know what this fuselage history was, and where it has gone now?
Nickdenbow, see
ETA
Sorry not allowed.
Nickdenbow, see
ETA
Sorry not allowed.
Edited by Big Al. on Wednesday 25th February 17:06
I met Jeremy Hall at Duxford last year, and had a wonderful chat with him about his Lanc fuselage. He is trying to reunite his front with the rear that is currently at Doncaster Aeroventure.
From Wiki:
Lancaster B X KB976 is Canadian built and was delivered to Britain in May 1945 but saw no action. Returned to Canada in June 1945, the aircraft was converted to Mk.10 (AR) specification, being struck off charge in 1964. Lancaster KB976 made the last official flight as an RCAF aircraft on 4 July 1964[23] at the Calgary International Air Show with F/L Lynn Garrison, as captain, and F/L Ralph Langemann as co-pilot. It is worth noting that neither Garrison nor Langemann had ever flown a Lancaster before, and Garrison had broken his ankle the night before this flight. Their historic flight was authorized personally by the then Minister of National Defence, Paul Hellyer, who flew to Calgary for the celebration. Garrison will be remembered for his oft-repeated comment, "If it has fuel and noise, I can fly it." Lynn Garrison then purchased KB976 from Crown Assets Disposal Corporation as an addition to his historic collection. He created the Air Museum of Canada in April 1964. Sold in 1974 to the Strathallan Collection in Scotland, KB976 was registered G-BCOH prior to being flown across the Atlantic and then statically displayed until 1987. Bought by collector Charles Church, the aircraft was moved to Woodford Aerodrome for restoration to airworthy condition, where the fuselage centre section was damaged in a hangar collapse. Another Canadian Lancaster, KB994, that had survived only as a fuselage, was sourced to replace the irreparably damaged parts of KB976. Sadly, Charles Church died in a flying accident soon after and the rebuild was abandoned. The aircraft and its replacement parts were later sold to Doug Arnold, before finally being bought by Kermit Weeks in 1992. KB976 has since been stored at his Fantasy of Flight museum in Florida awaiting restoration. The rear fuselage and rear gunner's position was salvaged from the wrecked original fuselage and is on display at the AeroVenture Museum in Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK. The original extended nose of KB976 has been built backwards into an authentic fuselage and cockpit by Jeremy Hall and is on display at Brookland's Museum in Weybridge, UK. The residue of parts from KB994 were stored in the UK before being sold to the Australian National Aviation Museum to assist in the restoration of Avro Lincoln RF342.[24]
From Wiki:
Lancaster B X KB976 is Canadian built and was delivered to Britain in May 1945 but saw no action. Returned to Canada in June 1945, the aircraft was converted to Mk.10 (AR) specification, being struck off charge in 1964. Lancaster KB976 made the last official flight as an RCAF aircraft on 4 July 1964[23] at the Calgary International Air Show with F/L Lynn Garrison, as captain, and F/L Ralph Langemann as co-pilot. It is worth noting that neither Garrison nor Langemann had ever flown a Lancaster before, and Garrison had broken his ankle the night before this flight. Their historic flight was authorized personally by the then Minister of National Defence, Paul Hellyer, who flew to Calgary for the celebration. Garrison will be remembered for his oft-repeated comment, "If it has fuel and noise, I can fly it." Lynn Garrison then purchased KB976 from Crown Assets Disposal Corporation as an addition to his historic collection. He created the Air Museum of Canada in April 1964. Sold in 1974 to the Strathallan Collection in Scotland, KB976 was registered G-BCOH prior to being flown across the Atlantic and then statically displayed until 1987. Bought by collector Charles Church, the aircraft was moved to Woodford Aerodrome for restoration to airworthy condition, where the fuselage centre section was damaged in a hangar collapse. Another Canadian Lancaster, KB994, that had survived only as a fuselage, was sourced to replace the irreparably damaged parts of KB976. Sadly, Charles Church died in a flying accident soon after and the rebuild was abandoned. The aircraft and its replacement parts were later sold to Doug Arnold, before finally being bought by Kermit Weeks in 1992. KB976 has since been stored at his Fantasy of Flight museum in Florida awaiting restoration. The rear fuselage and rear gunner's position was salvaged from the wrecked original fuselage and is on display at the AeroVenture Museum in Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK. The original extended nose of KB976 has been built backwards into an authentic fuselage and cockpit by Jeremy Hall and is on display at Brookland's Museum in Weybridge, UK. The residue of parts from KB994 were stored in the UK before being sold to the Australian National Aviation Museum to assist in the restoration of Avro Lincoln RF342.[24]
Yertis said:
What happened to the remains of that one that got squashed when a roof collapsed onto it?
KB976 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_Avr...Nose/cockpit at Brooklands - https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=brooklands+lanca...
ps there are two front ends there, 976 is the Woodford one, also has RAF on right side, Canadian markings on the left side
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