Second Lancaster to made airworthy.
Discussion
It's been rumoured for a while, but it seems to be official now. The Lancaster (JustJane) at East kirkby is to be made airworthy again.
Personally I think this is great!
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
Personally I think this is great!
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
How wonderful!
Imagine two Lancs flying around together again
but it's a shame, 'cos I get a trembling in me old bones
on the lines of "Oh no here we go again"
I really do hope this gets done and is better managed than the "other" Avro restoration fiasco
I hope the Lancaster's owners have the sense to say no thank you if a bloke with Doctor in his title offers to head up the project
This has far more chance of getting a small donation from me than t'other one
Imagine two Lancs flying around together again
but it's a shame, 'cos I get a trembling in me old bones
on the lines of "Oh no here we go again"
I really do hope this gets done and is better managed than the "other" Avro restoration fiasco
I hope the Lancaster's owners have the sense to say no thank you if a bloke with Doctor in his title offers to head up the project
This has far more chance of getting a small donation from me than t'other one
Good news 
ps, 3rd. There's one flying in Canada.
They were still removing Lancasters from outside mounted poles in Canada in 2005 (FM212) - http://www.sonsofdamien.co.uk/Man-Lanc%20Glossary....
ps, 3rd. There's one flying in Canada.
They were still removing Lancasters from outside mounted poles in Canada in 2005 (FM212) - http://www.sonsofdamien.co.uk/Man-Lanc%20Glossary....
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Saturday 20th February 12:16
These guys have already done a wonderful job in getting Just Jane into the condition she is in now. I think they will do just fine with organising the work and funding required to get her flying. It will all depend on whether the CAA stick their usual oar in and feck up the project. Shame they couldn't have done all this with a Halifax which was their original intention as it was in this type of aircraft their brother? died
Eric Mc said:
If you look hard, you can find them.
Exactly..... a distinct lack of surviving airframes...especially for a flyer.The Candandian one and the wreck in Hendon both being lake recoveries and being the only real complete ones I think makes my statement fairly vaild.
The YAM while excellent, is definately in the 'Bitza' category.
The main fuselage from behind the cockpit section till the tail section is original and comprises an original section as well as an original "covered waggon" that was found at RAF Linton-On-Ouse. The tail section including fins were made by BAe at Brough. The wings are from Hastings TG536 and are Halifax wings adapted for the Hastings (just like the York used Lancaste wings). The intermediate sections between the inner and outer engines are of larger span than the Halifax which explains the greater span of YAM's Hally. The engines are from France and used to be fitted to Noratlases and the engines were also made in France under License from Bristol. They are from a later version so not compatible to the Mk XVI or 100 as used on the Hercules powered Halifaxes but at least came from the same lineage. The props are wrong as we all know. The cockpit section is made from wooden frames but uses aluminium stringers and skin to represent an authentic Halifax pattern. The tailplane has recentely be remade as the earlier one sagged because it was largely made from wood with steel tubing but also incorporation some original tailstructure from Halifax LL505 which crashed in the lake district.
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