Taxy ride in Lancaster ' Just Jane' , anyone done it ?
Discussion
Got a rather nice gift this year of a taxy ride in 'Just Jane' on July 16th.
Has anyone here done this and wish to share any thoughts about the day ? Do you get a pick of positions for the taxy ride or do they just do it on a first come basis. I was thinking mid upper gunners postion would be a good one, but then again, there was always something quite mad about being in that rear turret.
Has anyone here done this and wish to share any thoughts about the day ? Do you get a pick of positions for the taxy ride or do they just do it on a first come basis. I was thinking mid upper gunners postion would be a good one, but then again, there was always something quite mad about being in that rear turret.
If it affects you like it did my father a few years back, you'll come out of it grinning like a fool, and you won't be much use to anybody for an hour or so after. I've only ever stood in front of "Just Jane" during an engine run. I may have to get myself a taxi ride before long.
Enjoy youself, and take pictures!
Enjoy youself, and take pictures!
Bought the trip for me wife last year. She thoroughly enjoyed it to the extent that I've bought her another trip this year.
It's not just the Lancaster ( the main attraction ) but more the whole package with the museum, control tower and cafe/restaurant. Really is as it was during WW2.
WELL worth it. You won't be disappointed !
It's not just the Lancaster ( the main attraction ) but more the whole package with the museum, control tower and cafe/restaurant. Really is as it was during WW2.
WELL worth it. You won't be disappointed !
Seen 2 of the taxi runs. Awesome stuff, the noise is just sublime. We went last Autumn for the Battle of Britain memorial at the airfield, with a dogfight between a ME109 and a Spitfire, it was amazing! All of the halls and exhibits are really interesting, you can spend a whole day there.
In the US, you can actually get rides in warbirds - such as P-51s, P-40s and even a B-17.
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Lancaster, the only other airworthy Lancaster, also offers rides.
In the UK, passenger flights in warbirds are extremely restricted - the best you can hope for is in a Harvard - which would be cool enough.
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Lancaster, the only other airworthy Lancaster, also offers rides.
In the UK, passenger flights in warbirds are extremely restricted - the best you can hope for is in a Harvard - which would be cool enough.
My folks did the Lanc thing a couple of yrs back. Loved every minute of it!
The father has always been fascinated by it so it seemed appropriate.
also gave me inspiratio as to what to get him for Christmas that year as he's a nightmare to buy for. Haynes do a full on Haynes Manual for Lancaster Bomber. Genius!
The father has always been fascinated by it so it seemed appropriate.
also gave me inspiratio as to what to get him for Christmas that year as he's a nightmare to buy for. Haynes do a full on Haynes Manual for Lancaster Bomber. Genius!
Quick thread revival. Despite the 'glorious' English summer this past weekend, I'm happy to report after months of waiting I got my taxi ride in Just Jane.
The ride I had booked was for 3pm, so after a quick dash up from Suffolk , we got there around 12.30pm after a quick trip down the road to RAF Coningsby to see if there was anything about, sadly noting was seen.
The 1pm taxi run was just about to start just as the weather was getting ever wetter and I felt slightly guilty that such an immaculate machine was outside in the rain for my benefit.
One of the best things about a visit the the Lincs Aviation Heritage Centre to see Just Jane on a taxi run, is just how close you can get. The engines are run up just outside the hanger before heading out on to the grass and coming back onto the concrete pad where the pilot runs the engines up to around 2000rpm ( a little bit more than cruising speed ) right in front of the roped-off area where you can stand taking in that magical Merlin sound.
At around 2.30pm there was a safety briefing for those due for the 3pm taxi ride in which positions for everyone were decided. The Lady giving the briefing asked if any of those in the group had any connections to Lancaster or Bomber Command. A couple of those present had relatives who were aircrew in the war on Lancs and these were offered first choice to take the crew positions of their relatives. I got the bomb aimers position.
Climbing in from the rear door and making your way forward over the main spar to get the the bomb aimers position is not to hard when you are in jeans and a t-shirt, but I couldn't help think what it must have been like to to try and do that in a burning Lanc that's spinning out of control in full flying gear and parachute. There was lots of things that stirred the mind about what it must have been like on operational flying, but I think this and being sat in that tail gunners turret really brought it home.
Once at home in my crew position, it was just a short time before the pilot started each of the engines and brought them up to temp before heading out onto the grass strip. Sadly, the ride is a tail-down taxi run, wish does leaving you wishing for a full power run down the field...
When the engines are shut down I was able to try the pilots seats for size and talk with the pilot. All those on the taxi ride and able to swap positions and try out all the crew positions. I was secretly hoping to blag the rear gunners position for the ride, but there is no rushing to get you off the Lanc and the crew are more than happy to talk all things Just Jane and help you about the Lanc and try each crew position.
As said earlier, the rear gunners position sure is a cramped and lonely one. You'll have a LOT more respect than even the high regard you may have done before trying this position, after trying it for size.
If you are thinking of a taxi ride, then I can highly recommend it. It is a unique experience for a member of Joe public like myself, and one that may not be available for much longer since plans are to put Just Jane back into the air
Excuse the poor pictures.
Getting nice and close during the engine runs
Standing right in front of the Lanc during an engine run is an amazing sight
Sadly, there's no power to the rear turret ( and the mid upper turret is a fake )so no sitting there and making silly machine gun noises....
My postion for the taxi run
Our pilot and engineer for the day
Looking back over the rear spar into the rear gunners position
The lonely position of rear gunner
The ride I had booked was for 3pm, so after a quick dash up from Suffolk , we got there around 12.30pm after a quick trip down the road to RAF Coningsby to see if there was anything about, sadly noting was seen.
The 1pm taxi run was just about to start just as the weather was getting ever wetter and I felt slightly guilty that such an immaculate machine was outside in the rain for my benefit.
One of the best things about a visit the the Lincs Aviation Heritage Centre to see Just Jane on a taxi run, is just how close you can get. The engines are run up just outside the hanger before heading out on to the grass and coming back onto the concrete pad where the pilot runs the engines up to around 2000rpm ( a little bit more than cruising speed ) right in front of the roped-off area where you can stand taking in that magical Merlin sound.
At around 2.30pm there was a safety briefing for those due for the 3pm taxi ride in which positions for everyone were decided. The Lady giving the briefing asked if any of those in the group had any connections to Lancaster or Bomber Command. A couple of those present had relatives who were aircrew in the war on Lancs and these were offered first choice to take the crew positions of their relatives. I got the bomb aimers position.
Climbing in from the rear door and making your way forward over the main spar to get the the bomb aimers position is not to hard when you are in jeans and a t-shirt, but I couldn't help think what it must have been like to to try and do that in a burning Lanc that's spinning out of control in full flying gear and parachute. There was lots of things that stirred the mind about what it must have been like on operational flying, but I think this and being sat in that tail gunners turret really brought it home.
Once at home in my crew position, it was just a short time before the pilot started each of the engines and brought them up to temp before heading out onto the grass strip. Sadly, the ride is a tail-down taxi run, wish does leaving you wishing for a full power run down the field...
When the engines are shut down I was able to try the pilots seats for size and talk with the pilot. All those on the taxi ride and able to swap positions and try out all the crew positions. I was secretly hoping to blag the rear gunners position for the ride, but there is no rushing to get you off the Lanc and the crew are more than happy to talk all things Just Jane and help you about the Lanc and try each crew position.
As said earlier, the rear gunners position sure is a cramped and lonely one. You'll have a LOT more respect than even the high regard you may have done before trying this position, after trying it for size.
If you are thinking of a taxi ride, then I can highly recommend it. It is a unique experience for a member of Joe public like myself, and one that may not be available for much longer since plans are to put Just Jane back into the air
Excuse the poor pictures.
Getting nice and close during the engine runs
Standing right in front of the Lanc during an engine run is an amazing sight
Sadly, there's no power to the rear turret ( and the mid upper turret is a fake )so no sitting there and making silly machine gun noises....
My postion for the taxi run
Our pilot and engineer for the day
Looking back over the rear spar into the rear gunners position
The lonely position of rear gunner
Mr_B said:
As said earlier, the rear gunners position sure is a cramped and lonely one. You'll have a LOT more respect than even the high regard you may have done before trying this position, after trying it for size.
Had the very good fortune to sit in the rear turret of the BBMF Lanc a few years back. Very tight fit for my generous frame, and with the doors closed I got to wind it left and right manually and sit in there for a few minutes to take in the atmosphere. A genuinely sobering experience which left me with even greater respect than before for the men of Bomber Command.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff