Just Jane...Will she ever fly Again?
Discussion
With only 2 Lancasters flying in the world, Canadian C-GVRA & our own PA474, will NX611 'Just Jane' ever add herself to this illustrious list? She looks superb, and of course taxiable. Is it possible that she may also fly again? Is it simply that her airframe is far beyond its flight hours, & to get her flying again would lose to much of her originality?
It always makes me think of all the excellent condition static display aircraft in museums, why they cannot be rebuilt, restored to flying condition. Especially when you see some of the aircraft that have been recovered after 70 years at the bottom of a lake for example...or even a glacier, yet amazingly some of these aircraft do indeed fly again!!
So is it really beyond the realms of possibility to get some of the existing museum display aircraft restored to flight?? I am sure most of us would rather see them fly than static.
How wonderful would it be to have 3 or even 4 Lancs flying together!
It always makes me think of all the excellent condition static display aircraft in museums, why they cannot be rebuilt, restored to flying condition. Especially when you see some of the aircraft that have been recovered after 70 years at the bottom of a lake for example...or even a glacier, yet amazingly some of these aircraft do indeed fly again!!
So is it really beyond the realms of possibility to get some of the existing museum display aircraft restored to flight?? I am sure most of us would rather see them fly than static.
How wonderful would it be to have 3 or even 4 Lancs flying together!
Fabulous things to fly in..I had a nice flight in the Canadian one quite a long time ago.....here is the old vid I took
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu_MC7EyZ2o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu_MC7EyZ2o
RDMcG said:
Fabulous things to fly in..I had a nice flight in the Canadian one quite a long time ago.....here is the old vid I took
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu_MC7EyZ2o
Wonderful, thanks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu_MC7EyZ2o
Waynester said:
With only 2 Lancasters flying in the world, Canadian C-GVRA & our own PA474, will NX611 'Just Jane' ever add herself to this illustrious list? She looks superb, and of course taxiable. Is it possible that she may also fly again? Is it simply that her airframe is far beyond its flight hours, & to get her flying again would lose to much of her originality?
It always makes me think of all the excellent condition static display aircraft in museums, why they cannot be rebuilt, restored to flying condition. Especially when you see some of the aircraft that have been recovered after 70 years at the bottom of a lake for example...or even a glacier, yet amazingly some of these aircraft do indeed fly again!!
So is it really beyond the realms of possibility to get some of the existing museum display aircraft restored to flight?? I am sure most of us would rather see them fly than static.
How wonderful would it be to have 3 or even 4 Lancs flying together!
IIRC back in those days they just built the airframes strong and didn't have limited hours on them like later aircraft do. The sticking point is finding enough certified Merlins to get her airborne - they're in massive demand throughout the warbird world, and finding a matched set of 4 is going to be difficult. It always makes me think of all the excellent condition static display aircraft in museums, why they cannot be rebuilt, restored to flying condition. Especially when you see some of the aircraft that have been recovered after 70 years at the bottom of a lake for example...or even a glacier, yet amazingly some of these aircraft do indeed fly again!!
So is it really beyond the realms of possibility to get some of the existing museum display aircraft restored to flight?? I am sure most of us would rather see them fly than static.
How wonderful would it be to have 3 or even 4 Lancs flying together!
This press release from 2010 states their intent, but looking at their website, they are still taking bookings for the taxy rides in Just Jane into the summer of 2013, so don't expect them to start anything soon.
19th February 2010, 15:09
Official Statement from The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre-
It is fair to say that we have been considering making moves to fly Avro Lancaster NX611 for some years now; in fact it has been the ultimate ambition of Fred and Harold to complete their fabulous contribution to aviation history and the memory of Bomber Command.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire Fred has confirmed what, I am sure, many people have been thinking for many years.
It has been our ultimate ambition to be able to restore NX611 to an airworthy condition but also keep her accessible for the general public to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere created by a Lancaster. For us to keep NX611 as a credible 'peoples memorial' to Bomber Command available to many people, no matter their background or financial situation (After all those that flew with Bomber Command came from every imaginable background) we must strike a healthy balance between keeping her in a good condition but also allowing the public to experience her.
As stated by Fred the end goal would be to be able to see NX611 take to the skies once more, but it will by no means be a short road to that end.
We are currently building up a large stores and parts stock ready for the possible 'push' for airworthiness.
The moves we are making- sourcing 4 airworthy engines, acquiring parts from all over the world, undertaking feasibility studies, sourcing AP's and the relevant paperwork - are all working towards enabling us to 'push the button' and let the Lanc feel air under her wheels once more.
There is no funding or involvement from Peter Jackson or the Dambusters film.
As with everything that has been done at the Centre and with the Lancaster the project will be self funded- but if anyone would like to feel that they have helped with keeping NX611 operational you are welcome to make donations.
If we get to the stage that NX611 is airworthy it will undoubtedly be called upon to perform in the air show circuit. There is also great interest and support from BBMF and RAF and I am sure that we will work closely together if NX611 ever goes skyward.
Airworthiness is the ambition and we have now confirmed that, but unfortunately there is much 'ground' work to be done before we make that jump. No move will be made until we are happy that we have built up enough parts and solved all the logistic issues.
Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated. Rest assured that we have the aircrafts best interests first and foremost in our minds. We have not striven for many years to sacrifice our achievements in one fail swoop. NX611 will always remain as a living memorial to Bomber Command; that is the most important duty we perform.
Andrew Panton
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
19th February 2010, 15:09
Official Statement from The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre-
It is fair to say that we have been considering making moves to fly Avro Lancaster NX611 for some years now; in fact it has been the ultimate ambition of Fred and Harold to complete their fabulous contribution to aviation history and the memory of Bomber Command.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire Fred has confirmed what, I am sure, many people have been thinking for many years.
It has been our ultimate ambition to be able to restore NX611 to an airworthy condition but also keep her accessible for the general public to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere created by a Lancaster. For us to keep NX611 as a credible 'peoples memorial' to Bomber Command available to many people, no matter their background or financial situation (After all those that flew with Bomber Command came from every imaginable background) we must strike a healthy balance between keeping her in a good condition but also allowing the public to experience her.
As stated by Fred the end goal would be to be able to see NX611 take to the skies once more, but it will by no means be a short road to that end.
We are currently building up a large stores and parts stock ready for the possible 'push' for airworthiness.
The moves we are making- sourcing 4 airworthy engines, acquiring parts from all over the world, undertaking feasibility studies, sourcing AP's and the relevant paperwork - are all working towards enabling us to 'push the button' and let the Lanc feel air under her wheels once more.
There is no funding or involvement from Peter Jackson or the Dambusters film.
As with everything that has been done at the Centre and with the Lancaster the project will be self funded- but if anyone would like to feel that they have helped with keeping NX611 operational you are welcome to make donations.
If we get to the stage that NX611 is airworthy it will undoubtedly be called upon to perform in the air show circuit. There is also great interest and support from BBMF and RAF and I am sure that we will work closely together if NX611 ever goes skyward.
Airworthiness is the ambition and we have now confirmed that, but unfortunately there is much 'ground' work to be done before we make that jump. No move will be made until we are happy that we have built up enough parts and solved all the logistic issues.
Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated. Rest assured that we have the aircrafts best interests first and foremost in our minds. We have not striven for many years to sacrifice our achievements in one fail swoop. NX611 will always remain as a living memorial to Bomber Command; that is the most important duty we perform.
Andrew Panton
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Waynester said:
Superb, so much better than sitting in a museum gathering dust! 
She is most emphatically NOT sitting in a museum gathering dust. She is a fuilly alive machine which is looked after very carefully and kept in fully operationakl trim. Just because an aircarft does not take to teh air does not mean it is a dead hunk of metal.Whilst it is a nice thought tyhat she could fly again, in her current guise as a fully operational but grounded aircraft, she performs some very unique activities for enthusiasts and veterans which may not be possible if she was a flying aitrcraft.
There are pros and cons regarding her being made airworthy.
Eric Mc said:
Waynester said:
Superb, so much better than sitting in a museum gathering dust!
She is most emphatically NOT sitting in a museum gathering dust. She is a fully alive machine which is looked after very carefully and kept in fully operational trim. Just because an aircraft does not take to the air does not mean it is a dead hunk of metal.Whilst it is a nice thought that she could fly again, in her current guise as a fully operational but grounded aircraft, she performs some very unique activities for enthusiasts and veterans which may not be possible if she was a flying aircraft.
There are pros and cons regarding her being made airworthy.
Hooli said:
Eric Mc said:
I would love to see oner of the other heavies resurrected in some way.
Are there enough about to do it? I've seen a Halifax, but I'm pretty sure it had the wrong wings. I'm not aware of many other heavies left.However, in Canada, there is a fully fledged restored Halifax
The Halifax at Hendon is also original - although a wreck
Sadly, nothing of significance survives of a Stirling.
Eric Mc said:
Hooli said:
Eric Mc said:
I would love to see oner of the other heavies resurrected in some way.
Are there enough about to do it? I've seen a Halifax, but I'm pretty sure it had the wrong wings. I'm not aware of many other heavies left.davepoth said:
Waynester said:
With only 2 Lancasters flying in the world, Canadian C-GVRA & our own PA474, will NX611 'Just Jane' ever add herself to this illustrious list? She looks superb, and of course taxiable. Is it possible that she may also fly again? Is it simply that her airframe is far beyond its flight hours, & to get her flying again would lose to much of her originality?
It always makes me think of all the excellent condition static display aircraft in museums, why they cannot be rebuilt, restored to flying condition. Especially when you see some of the aircraft that have been recovered after 70 years at the bottom of a lake for example...or even a glacier, yet amazingly some of these aircraft do indeed fly again!!
So is it really beyond the realms of possibility to get some of the existing museum display aircraft restored to flight?? I am sure most of us would rather see them fly than static.
How wonderful would it be to have 3 or even 4 Lancs flying together!
IIRC back in those days they just built the airframes strong and didn't have limited hours on them like later aircraft do. The sticking point is finding enough certified Merlins to get her airborne - they're in massive demand throughout the warbird world, and finding a matched set of 4 is going to be difficult. It always makes me think of all the excellent condition static display aircraft in museums, why they cannot be rebuilt, restored to flying condition. Especially when you see some of the aircraft that have been recovered after 70 years at the bottom of a lake for example...or even a glacier, yet amazingly some of these aircraft do indeed fly again!!
So is it really beyond the realms of possibility to get some of the existing museum display aircraft restored to flight?? I am sure most of us would rather see them fly than static.
How wonderful would it be to have 3 or even 4 Lancs flying together!
I may be wrong (wouldn't be a first!) but I think she is fairly original and I think some alteration to gain an airworthiness certificate would be required.
If that is the case then I think I'd prefer it if she remained as-is, especially as we have two her type airworthy at present. If anything should happen to one of the other two I could change my mind, until then though I feel we have enough.
If that is the case then I think I'd prefer it if she remained as-is, especially as we have two her type airworthy at present. If anything should happen to one of the other two I could change my mind, until then though I feel we have enough.
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