The East Kirkby Airshow - the home of Britain’s other Lancaster

Aviation enthusiasts in the UK really do have to count themselves extremely fortunate – with a host of events to choose from each year, it seems as if the only thing that could potentially spoil our fun is the good old unpredictable British weather. With events that will appeal to modern military, historic and general aviation enthusiasts, there will usually be an airshow for every taste taking place somewhere in the UK throughout the summer months.

Accepting that we do have a great choice of airshow events available to us in Britain, enthusiasts of a certain age will tell you that not everything is quite as good as it used to be. Compared to the events of our youth, there is no doubting that the number and variety of aeroplanes on show at today’s airshows is very much reduced from those halcyon days. Indeed, we currently find ourselves in an era when the number of aircraft in Royal Air Force service is lower than at almost any time since the end of the Second World War. As operating costs continue to spiral and the RAF have less assets with which to fulfil their commitments, you can actually be quite fortunate to see a current RAF aircraft at many of today’s airshows.

Perhaps even more disturbing than this, the impact of risk assessment and health and safety regulations (or the enjoyment prevention police, as aviation enthusiasts prefer to call them), is beginning to have a significant impact on how the modern air display event is organised and experienced by the spectator. All enthusiasts will accept that events have to take place with the safety of everyone in attendance being of paramount importance, but if aircraft display distances increase any further you will need something approaching a 1000mm lens to get anything like a reasonable photograph. Even more worrying for the future of British airshows, committed photographers have taken to finding alternative positions outside the show area in order to get the images that they need. Surely, this is significantly more precarious from a health and safety perspective than allowing the display datum to be moved a little closer to the crowd-line – importantly, it is also potentially taking much needed revenue away from airshow organisers.

OK, semi-rant over now and on with the more positive aspects of the UK airshow scene. Taking note of the points raised previously, there are still a number of really appealing shows available to the UK based enthusiast which offer much more of an intimate aviation experience. These shows still manage to operate in total safety, but also allow the enthusiasts in attendance to get a little closer to the action and get much more of a feel for this fantastic subject – I had the pleasure of attending such an event recently and Aerodrome 18 will take a closer look at this extremely enjoyable show.

The East Kirkby Airshow is billed as ‘Lincolnshire’s largest independent airshow’, and with access limited to just 4000 tickets there is always a bit of a rush to make sure you will be taking your place on the crowdline. East Kirkby is famous for being the home of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and their extremely illustrious charge – Britain’s ‘other’ Avro Lancaster. Known simply as ‘Just Jane’ this Lancaster Mk. B.VII (NX611) is in an immaculate state of preservation and is kept in ground taxiable condition – she is clearly one of the main attractions of any East Kirkby Airshow. Amongst the many flying highlights, you normally have the opportunity of seeing two Lancaster taxi runs with all four Merlin engines turning, on the evocative grass runway of this former Bomber Command station. For anyone with even the slightest interest in aviation this is a real treat and with natural, unspoilt farmland as your backdrop, there is the chance of taking some truly spectacular images which could almost have been taken back in 1943.

There are plans to return Lancaster NX611 to flying condition once more

This already famous Lancaster has been the subject of much speculation over the past couple of years, as news began to circulate that her owners had the ambitious intention of returning the aircraft to flying condition. Owned by the Panton Brothers, this will be no small undertaking for this privately owned venture and the museum will need significant financial backing if this tantalising proposal is to become reality. If the popularity of last year's visit of the Canadian Lancaster to the UK is anything to go by, the opportunity of having two flying Lancasters based permanently in the UK will see the enthusiast community and commercial financial backers flooding to this exciting project. We do have to curb our enthusiasm though, as this will be nothing short of a monumental achievement should it succeed and will rival the mighty Vulcan in historic aviation terms. We will look more closely at this project and the history of the East Kirkby airfield in a later edition of Aerodrome, but for this week we will stick with a review of the recent airshow.

As we have already touched on the subject of Avro Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’, let's take a look at this highlight of every East Kirkby show. For aircraft enthusiasts, there is something really special about a Lancaster and the sound of four Merlin engines singing in unison. Conducting three quite lengthy taxi demonstrations during the course of the show, ‘Just Jane’ also carried a number of additional passengers during the taxi runs, who had all paid for the experience of being on board this fantastic aeroplane – I suggest that they may have had a different opinion on the noise from those Merlins!

The unique backdrop available to photographers at East Kirkby

The Lancaster was joined by the East Kirkby based Dakota this year

For this year's show, ‘Just Jane’ had some company during her taxi runs in the classic shape of Elvington-based Douglas C-47A Dakota ‘Drag em oot’. The C-47 was one of the most important aircraft of WWII and it is testament to the strength of its design that many examples of the type are still flying to this day. Indeed, this genuine combat veteran still wears the scars of battle – as she was being restored, it was discovered that she had multiple patched up bullet holes in the fuselage and wings. These C-47s really were tough old birds!

Tough as old boots – the war winning Douglas C-47 Dakota

Without doubt, one of the highlights of this year's show was the attendance of a very rare Battle of Britain fighter – Hawker Hurricane Mk.I R4118 (UP-W). Its owner, Peter Vasher, restored this very early Hurricane after he located the remains in India and the book he wrote about the restoration of this historic aeroplane makes for fascinating reading. This Hurricane could quite possibly be one of the most authentic historic aircraft flying in the world today, as it is a genuine combat veteran of the Battle of Britain.

Is this the most authentic WWII aircraft still flying in the world today?

During the lengthy restoration process, it was discovered that R4118 actually flew 49 combat sorties during WWII and managed to shoot down five enemy aircraft. It was also shot down itself during the summer of 1940, and as we head into the main period of the Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary commemorations, this aircraft is perhaps the most tangible link that we have to the brave pilots known simply as ‘The Few’.

Hawker Restorations Ltd restored this magnificent aircraft to flying condition, with great care and attention being taken to ensure that the Hurricane was returned to as near her Battle of Britain condition as possible. The airframe was said to be in remarkably good condition, considering that it had been stored in the open for 54 years in India and she is now said to be the most historic WWII aircraft still flying in the world today.

For many, Hawker Hurricane Mk.I R4118 was the star of the show

One of the most significant features of this restoration was the genuine early Merlin engine that is used to power this Hurricane – the Merlin III really does sound different to the later engines we are used to hearing on other historic Merlin powered aircraft, with this earlier unit sounding like it purrs, rather than growls. It was totally overhauled by Merlin specialist Maurice Hammond, whose Eye Tech business has been involved with many historic aircraft flying in Europe today. When you see (and hear) this aircraft fly, you really are experiencing a piece of history – you are actually listening to the sound of a Merlin engine that actually took part in the Battle of Britain!

An evocative image of this Battle of Britain Hurricane

Unfortunately, this could be one of the last times that we are able to see this historic aeroplane flying at a UK airshow, as she is currently listed as being available for sale. With the deepest pockets seeming to always be on the other side of the Atlantic, it would be an absolute disaster if this Battle of Britain veteran were allowed to leave these shores – I am going to have an extra flutter on the lottery this weekend, to see if I can make this historic Hurricane the first purchase in my new 1/1 scale historic aviation collection (I wish).

 A scene from the Battle of Britain. Early Hurricane and Blenheim in formation

Proving to be one of the most popular aircraft on the 2015 airshow circuit is Bristol Blenheim Mk.I L6739, and the 2015 East Kirkby show was to benefit from an appearance by this newly restored classic. Operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford, this twin engined light bomber, day and night fighter is also a fitting tribute to the men of the Battle of Britain, as the Blenheim was very much involved in the actions of the summer of 1940. Indeed, at the start of WWII, Britain had more Blenheims in service with the RAF than any other aircraft type.

The beautiful Blenheim Mk.I arrives at East Kirkby

I have to say that the operators of the Blenheim have done a magnificent job with this aircraft over the past few months. It was obvious that the Blenheim would be one of the most popular aircraft on the display circuit this year and they really have tried to get it out and about as much as they possibly can, when it would have been much easier to simply display the aircraft at Duxford. I also have to say that the displays I have seen have been particularly spirited and it is a joy to see the Blenheim flown with a bit of enthusiasm – the East Kirkby show was no exception and we were treated to some excellent flying. We covered the Blenheim in a recent edition of Aerodrome, so I will just include a couple of pictures of its excellent display.

Very much part of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain commemorations – the Bristol Blenheim Mk.I

A definite highlight in any airshow display programme would certainly be the appearance of a North American P-51D Mustang. Operating from the relatively small grass strip at East Kirby, the chance to see one of these American muscle fighters at close quarters is worth the entry fee alone. We have already mentioned the name Maurice Hammond previously in this article and here he is again - he owns and operates a pair of beautifully restored Mustangs, from his grass strip at Hardwick, in East Anglia and is a loyal supporter of the show at East Kirkby. This year he brought his Mustang named ‘Janie’, which is finished in the colours of an aircraft flown by Major Bill Price, who flew with the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, flying out of Raydon airfield, during the latter stages of WWII.

North American P-51D Mustang ‘Janie’ arrives at East Kirkby

He christened his aircraft ‘Janie’ in honour of his sister and that tribute is being carried on to this day, in the shape of this beautifully restored Hardwick Mustang.

We were looking earlier at how the opportunity to get a little closer to the aircraft we all love is a really enjoyable experience and I think that this final image really does illustrate this point perfectly. To see this beautifully restored WWII fighter take off just in front of you is an experience to get anyone’s pulse racing, and certainly for younger enthusiasts will confirm to them that there is life away from the X-Box. From the number of happy faces in evidence at East Kirkby this year, I really do think that the organisers have hit on a winning airshow formula, which will appeal to both the committed enthusiast and family simply enjoying a day out – hopefully other shows will take note from their lead.

One of the most glorious airshow sights – a magnificent Mustang!

‘Just Jane’ Lancaster gets the Corgi treatment

I am sure that a great many of you will already be aware that the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre has just commissioned a 1/72nd scale version of their impressive Avro Lancaster ‘Just Jane’. This beautiful new model has been produced through the Corgi Premiums department and is an exclusive release, which is only available from the good people at East Kirkby. Corgi Premiums are a dedicated team of people, who provide die-cast model solutions for companies looking to promote their businesses in a more imaginative manner.

Working closely with the commissioning company, they can suggest branded products that will enhance your business and make all the necessary arrangements – all you have to do is start promoting your company with your new Corgi model. Importantly, these products have nothing to do with the main Corgi catalogues, although the premiums team do still have access to the expertise available within these classic brands. The resultant products are exclusive to the commissioning company and usually only available through them.

The beautiful new 1/72nd scale die-cast ‘Just Jane’ Lancaster

Clearly an attempt to raise funds and increase awareness of the intention to return Avro Lancaster NX611 to flight, the Heritage Centre at East Kirkby have commissioned this beautiful new 1/72nd scale Corgi Lancaster, which will be of interest to many – not only die-cast aviation collectors, but also the many thousands of supporters that ‘Just Jane’ already has.

The new model is priced at £119.99 each and as I have already stated, is available exclusively from the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. The model is due to be delivered to them by the end of this month and I have been informed that business has been brisk, to say the least. For more information, please call the ‘Just Jane’ Lancaster people direct on 01790 763207, or head to their website.

I will leave you with a couple more images of the new Corgi produced ‘Just Jane’ East Kirkby Lancaster.

Available exclusively through the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre

That's it for this week - thank you very much for reading this latest edition of Aerodrome.

You can discuss this week's blog on the Airfix Aerodrome Forum or Corgi Aerodrome Forum, and if you have any comments, questions or suggestions for future editions, please feel free to let us know on Airfix Facebook or Corgi Facebook, or on Airfix Twitter or Corgi Twitter using #aerodrome.

Michael

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