The epic Lancaster NX611

[Camlet]

Yesterday at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. The wonderful people there allowed me to have a pic taken of their beauty with mine.

Although "Just Jane" doesn't (yet) fly, she does taxi and hearing those four Merlins roar is incredible. Lovely family run museum. Great day out.

[onyx39]

Camlet said:

Yesterday at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. The wonderful people there allowed me to have a pic taken of their beauty with mine.

Although "Just Jane" doesn't (yet) fly, she does taxi and hearing those four Merlins roar is incredible. Lovely family run museum. Great day out.

They planning to get her back in the sky?

[magpie215]

onyx39 said:

They planning to get her back in the sky?

That is the aim of the owners

[Eric Mc]

It is their aim - but there is no great rush.

She is currently in exact wartime configuration.

Making her airworthy would lose her that status as she would need to be converted to two pilot configuration.

[Simpo Two]

Ironic that you can fight an all-out shooting war over Germany with only one pilot, but need two for peacetime hops in the sun...

[Mr_B]

Went there a couple of years ago and did the taxy ride in 'Just Jane' - highly recommended. http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Going for one of the days where they do the taxy rides and just watching is great too. They allow you to get really quite close as they take the 4 Merlins up to around 2000rpm and hold her on the brakes right in front of the crowd - most exhilarating.

[staples230uk]

Nice photo!! Thanks for the heads up about the museum

[Camlet]

staples230uk said:

Nice photo!! Thanks for the heads up about the museum

Cheers. Credit for the pic needs to go to Alan Markham, their professional snapper. The team at the museum are delightful and make you very welcome. A real family feel. Well worth a visit.

[davepoth]

Simpo Two said:

Ironic that you can fight an all-out shooting war over Germany with only one pilot, but need two for peacetime hops in the sun...

Health and safety wasn't really a concern back then - that lone pilot would have been popping benzadrine like smarties to keep awake for the whole trip.

Edited by davepoth on Saturday 4th May 14:12

[Eric Mc]

And his flight engineer did a lot of what would normally have been co-pilot tasks.

[davepoth]

Eric Mc said:

And his flight engineer did a lot of what would normally have been co-pilot tasks.

True enough. I read bits on the internet suggesting that it was official practice for the pilot to teach one of the crew to fly the plane a bit so he could have a kip when there wasn't anything exciting going on.

[Hooli]

davepoth said:

Eric Mc said:

And his flight engineer did a lot of what would normally have been co-pilot tasks.

True enough. I read bits on the internet suggesting that it was official practice for the pilot to teach one of the crew to fly the plane a bit so he could have a kip when there wasn't anything exciting going on.

I've seen that too, the flight engineer I think.

[Nogbad!]

My Dad was a flight engineer on Lancs and he often flew the plane to give the pilot a break.

[IanMorewood]

JJ is a fine old lady and you can spend an age looking round the hanger at the other relics from bomber command, best bet though is to go when theres an airshow at Kirkby. tie it up with an overnight stay and you can visit the BBMF just down the road.

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

And his flight engineer did a lot of what would normally have been co-pilot tasks.

I believe one other member of the crew was given some basic flight training in case the pilot copped it, even if only to get them back to friendly soil and bail out. Whether this was official or impromptu on-board I don't know.

[Eric Mc]

It was unofficial - but not unusual.

[aeropilot]

Just seen the sad announcement today from East Kirkby, that Fred Panton passed away last night.

[perdu]

RIP Fred

Sad day the family and for the Just Jane crew

[darren9]

This Monday (26th) the links aviation centre are having 'props and pistons' a car show within their grounds. NX611 will be taxying and there are displays from the BBMF a Mitchell and mustang plus lots of great cars. Anybody going?

[Camlet]

darren9 said:

This Monday (26th) the links aviation centre are having 'props and pistons' a car show within their grounds. NX611 will be taxying and there are displays from the BBMF a Mitchell and mustang plus lots of great cars. Anybody going?

Yep, will be there.