lancaster taxy experience
Discussion
Not this, but I did sit in the Lancaster many yrs ago when it was at Bentwaters in suffolk doing a display, my dad went to school with a chap who went on to fly the spit in the BBMF, so we met him and he let us sit in the aircraft, both Lanc and Spit.
I would pay money to do it again, even more so moving, when I was in it the engines were running, not moving though.
I would pay money to do it again, even more so moving, when I was in it the engines were running, not moving though.
.I think £200 is about right. The money goes to keep her in working order.
Recently it was announced that she might be made airworthy again. One of the problems with that is that she might have to be modified to take a second pilot like PA474. During WW2, all Lancasters (and Halifaxes and Stirlings) were single pilot aircraft only.
Recently it was announced that she might be made airworthy again. One of the problems with that is that she might have to be modified to take a second pilot like PA474. During WW2, all Lancasters (and Halifaxes and Stirlings) were single pilot aircraft only.
Eric Mc said:
I think £200 is about right. The money goes to keep her in working order.
Recently it was announced that she might be made airworthy again. One of the problems with that is that she might have to be modified to take a second pilot like PA474. During WW2, all Lancasters (and Halifaxes and Stirlings) were single pilot aircraft only.
What did the guy sitting next to the pilot do, watch out for speed cameras and point out things of interest on the way? Or was he just there to pay the toll-booths that are on the wrong side in Europe Recently it was announced that she might be made airworthy again. One of the problems with that is that she might have to be modified to take a second pilot like PA474. During WW2, all Lancasters (and Halifaxes and Stirlings) were single pilot aircraft only.
FourWheelDrift said:
If I remember correctly, there wasn't a seat there. It was a walk through to the front of the aircraft.
Edited to add, here's a photo.
Well I never! I'm sure that I've seen films with co-pilots. Hmmm....maybe not. That must be pretty lonley - having the responsibility of flying to Berlin and back whilst you sit up there on your own. No co-pilot seems very odd for a plane of that size.Edited to add, here's a photo.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Friday 5th March 15:45
efa: flight engineer of course - doh!
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Friday 5th March 15:58
Because of the shortage or trained pilots, the three big four engined heavies used by the RAF (Lancaster, Halifax and Stirling) were all designed for single pilot operations. The flight engineer performed some of the duties normally allocated to a co-pilot. He usually had a small folding seat next to the pilot to enable them to sit down and assist during take off and landing.
The US did not have the same shortage or manpower so their bombers (even the light twins such as the Mitchell and Boston) were configured for two pilots.
The US did not have the same shortage or manpower so their bombers (even the light twins such as the Mitchell and Boston) were configured for two pilots.
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 5th March 16:06
The BBMF Lancaster hasn't had a lot of modification, in this photo you will see the right hand seat is put away again to allow access to the front of the aircraft. Doubled up throttle controls and a bar across from the pilot controls to a second set.
Not sure what they do with rudder pedals though (if they can be moved out of the way easily or not).
Not sure what they do with rudder pedals though (if they can be moved out of the way easily or not).
Eric Mc said:
Because of the shortage or trained pilots, the three big four engined heavies used by the RAF (Lancaster, Halifax and Stirling) were all designed for single pilot operations. The flight engineer performed some of the duties normally allocated to a co-pilot. He usually had a small folding seat next to the pilot to enable them to sit down and assist during take off and landing.
The US did not have the same shortage or manpower so their bombers (even the light twins such as the Mitchell and Boston) were configured for two pilots.
So if the pilot is hurt during a mission then the plane is lost?The US did not have the same shortage or manpower so their bombers (even the light twins such as the Mitchell and Boston) were configured for two pilots.
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 5th March 16:06
please!!!richw_82 said:
The only place you're going to get better value for money is paying around £1500 (last time I checked... it may have changed) to the Canadians for a flight in their Lanc.
There's nowhere else you'll get in a running Lancaster.
That's close enough....it's currently CAN$2125 for an hour's trip...which is just under £1400 at todays exhange rate....plus the cost of getting there of course on top.There's nowhere else you'll get in a running Lancaster.
I know someone that's done it, and they said it was worth every penny.
I've flown in a B-25 and B-17G for a lot less.....but a Lanc would be that much more special.
An RAF mate of mine is now ground crew on BBMF so gets to fly in the Lanc all through the summer.
aeropilot said:
richw_82 said:
The only place you're going to get better value for money is paying around £1500 (last time I checked... it may have changed) to the Canadians for a flight in their Lanc.
There's nowhere else you'll get in a running Lancaster.
That's close enough....it's currently CAN$2125 for an hour's trip...which is just under £1400 at todays exhange rate....plus the cost of getting there of course on top.There's nowhere else you'll get in a running Lancaster.
I know someone that's done it, and they said it was worth every penny.
I've flown in a B-25 and B-17G for a lot less.....but a Lanc would be that much more special.
An RAF mate of mine is now ground crew on BBMF so gets to fly in the Lanc all through the summer.
Whats a flight in a B-25 or B-17 worth?
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