Famous Lancaster Prepares for Flight
We're pleased to be bringing you this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aviation. The first few weeks of any new year is always a time of great optimism for the aviation enthusiast as we all begin look forward to the many opportunities we will have to engage with our favourite subject over the coming months. With a full year of Airshows ahead of us and activities always taking place at Britain’s aviation museums, it is a time when many of us will start thinking about filling our diaries and planning that first aviation visit of 2017.
In this latest edition of Aerodrome we will be bringing you the first of two special reports from one of the world’s most interesting aviation projects and one family’s determination to return a Lancaster bomber to Britain’s skies. A much loved aircraft in her own right, Avro Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’ is the star attraction at the former RAF airfield at East Kirkby in Lincolnshire and the centrepiece of the many events held there each year. At the start of a monumental project to see this aircraft fly once more, the aircraft is currently embarking on a period of inspection and renovation, allowing the aviation enthusiast some unique Lancaster viewing opportunities and Aerodrome was privileged to be allowed access to this magnificent aircraft. Over the course of our next two editions, we intend to bring you the latest update from this project including a series of fascinating Lancaster renovation images, plus what ‘Just Jane’ enthusiasts can look forward to for the rest of 2017 – let’s head off to East Kirkby.
Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ bares all!
The unusual sight of a bare metal Lancaster is attracting enthusiasts to East Kirkby
As one of the most famous British aircraft of all time, the Avro Lancaster stands testament to the design skills of Roy Chadwick and the manufacturing prowess of the wartime Avro factories. With its four Rolls Royce Merlin engines and cavernous unobstructed bomb bay, the Lancaster became the most important RAF bomber of WWII, capable of carrying the largest 22,000lb Grand Slam earthquake bombs, as well as seemingly limitless combinations of smaller ordnance. From its first operational raid against targets in Germany on 10th March 1942, the Lancaster became arguably the most effective bomber of WWII and continued to pound targets in Europe until the end of hostilities. Tragically, despite the effectiveness of the mighty Avro Lancaster, of the almost 7,400 aircraft produced, nearly half were lost on operations, claiming the lives of thousands of brave Bomber Command airmen.
In the years following the end of WWII and with the world very much heading towards the jet age, Britain’s most famous heavy bomber was surplus to requirements and hundreds of machines were unceremoniously scrapped on the airfields where they were parked. A number went on to see service with the French Navy and the air forces of Canada and Argentina, but there was little thought given to the preservation of Lancasters for future generations and certainly not maintaining them in flying condition – when thoughts eventually turned to the prospect many years later, it was almost too late. Thankfully, a small number of Lancasters did survive and whilst most reside in museums around the world, two magnificent aircraft remain in flying condition to this day – one operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and the other thrilling Airshow crowds all over the UK, as part of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. In one of the most dramatic developments in historic aviation for many years, there are plans to double the number of airworthy British based Lancasters in the years to come, with this tantalising prospect advancing significantly over recent weeks. Just eight miles from the home of the BBMF at RAF Coningsby, work to return Britain’s second Lancaster to the air has begun at East Kirkby airfield.
One of the most popular aircraft on the British historic aviation scene
In this first part of our Lancaster renovation review, we will concentrate on providing readers with the latest details from this fascinating project and what ‘Just Jane’ supporters can look forward to during the coming months. We will also include a large number of the photographs taken during last week's visit to allow aviation enthusiasts all over the world a unique look at the East Kirkby Lancaster, as she undergoes this period of inspection and renovation. Importantly, we will also provide you with details of how you can get involved in the restoration project and join NX611’s new Rivet Club and help support ‘Just Jane’s’ intended return to airworthy status. Before we begin, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Andrew Panton for his hospitality during my visit and for giving up some of his valuable time to discuss this exciting project with me. I would also like to thank the team currently working on the Lancaster, who were most helpful in the production of this feature and must be some of the most photographed people in Lincolnshire at the moment – thanks for letting me disturb you.
As one of the best loved aircraft in the UK, boasting her own supporters group and dedicated enthusiast following, Avro Lancaster NX611 draws large numbers of visitors to her East Kirkby home each year. As one of only two Lancasters in Europe that is able to taxi under the power of its own Merlin engines, this is a very special aeroplane and priceless in terms of her historic value to the nation and to the memory of Christopher Panton and the former aircrew of Bomber Command. For these and a host of other logistical and financial reasons, the recent news that the Panton family intended to return their beloved Lancaster to airworthy status was met with some surprise and no little excitement, as this must be considered as one of the most significant historic aviation projects for many years. Taking the first steps towards this eventual aim, ‘Just Jane’ is currently undergoing a period of servicing and restoration and a visit to East Kirkby at this present time will offer the aviation enthusiast a unique view of this magnificent aircraft – an opportunity that is simply too good to miss.
Everything must come off
In support of her proposed renovation to airworthy status, the decision was taken to make the winter 2016/17 servicing schedule a significant one in the history of NX611, enabling the team to assess every aspect of the aircraft’s condition. This would be critical in allowing the renovation team to produce a schedule of actions necessary in achieving their ultimate aim of returning the Lancaster to the air once more and would give them a much clearer indication of the work that needed to be done, the timeframe for the project to be completed and importantly, a more accurate estimate of the funds required to achieve their goal. At the very heart of this development was the decision to strip all paint from NX611 to reveal the aluminium skin of the aircraft for the first time in 40 years and allow the engineers to assess the condition of the aircraft. Any areas of concern can either be rectified immediately or logged for future attention, with costly and difficult to obtain components sourced from specialist suppliers from all over the world.
Bare metal Lancaster walk-around - this series of images shows the restoration work underway at East Kirkby
Although the enthusiast will be fascinated to see ‘Just Jane’ in her current bare metal state and this was clearly a process that would be necessary in launching her intended return to airworthy status, the removal of her much loved paint scheme was a significant undertaking for the project and perhaps much more difficult than you might think. Knowing that this step would have to be taken before the return to flight project could really begin, the team had obtained quotes for the paint strip and temporary re-paint some time ago and it became clear that costs would be in the region of £125,000. Clearly this is a huge sum of money and spending this would have an impact not only on the return to flight project, but also the day to day running of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre itself. Fortunately, specialist aircraft painting company MAAS Aviation stepped in with an offer of help – they kindly offered to do the work at the cheapest price they possibly could, but at a figure significantly lower than the one quoted previously. Without the support of MAAS Aviation, it is unlikely that the paint stripping process would have taken place for some time, further delaying the Lancaster’s bid for airworthy status.
The MAAS engineers began their work following the end of ‘Just Jane’s’ 2016 commitments, which must have made quite a change for them. Usually working on various Airbus and Boeing airliners, the opportunity to apply their skills to a historic Avro Lancaster will have been a rare treat and something of a conversation point for them in the future – not many people will have stripping a Lancaster on their C.V. Although I forgot to ask Andrew this question, I would assume that this process will have been completed behind closed hangar doors, as it would have been dirty (and probably quite smelly) work. Using specialist chemical paint stripping products, the MAAS team were attempting to remove 40 years of paint from the aircraft, much of which had simply been applied on top of the previous layer. On most areas of the Lancaster they were attempting to remove six layers of paint, but where the roundels and fin flashes were applied, this was more like ten layers. During a tour of the Lancaster, it was interesting to hear that the MAAS engineers had told the team that it would normally take around five days to strip the paint from a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet, but it took twelve days to strip the Lancaster!
This is a fascinating development in the world of historic aviation
With all the paint removed from the airframe, the renovation team at East Kirkby could begin their assessment of the Lancaster’s aluminium skin, looking for any areas of corrosion and undertaking a deep inspection of the component parts of the aircraft. Lancaster HX611 is currently supported on trestles in a flying attitude, which really is a unique way to view this famous and historic bomber – it is also interesting to note that despite the dirty work of removing the paint layers from the aircraft, the hangar and immediate area around the aircraft is spotlessly clean. From the pictures we have included from our day at East Kirkby, you can clearly see that the assessment work has also resulted in many of the component parts of the aircraft being removed to allow for more detailed inspection. Everything from the bomb bay doors to the gun turrets have been removed from ‘Just Jane’, with all the component parts stored on racking, or wooden supports in an area behind the aircraft and again affording visitors a unique opportunity to see this magnificent machine. It really is fascinating to see the impressive size of the bomb-bay doors, which were one of the significant design features of the Avro Lancaster – they are huge.
Business as usual for 2017
We are going to end this first review of my day with ‘Just Jane’ at East Kirkby with some important news for supporters of NX611 and aviation enthusiasts everywhere – it is very much business as usual as far as the rest of 2017 is concerned. With a full calendar of activities taking place at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre each year, it is important to stress that everything will be taking place as planned this year and anyone planning to visit East Kirkby will have an extremely enjoyable day. Indeed, if you plan your visit quickly, you will be able to see NX611 in her current renovation state, which may well be the only time she will be available for public viewing like this. The extremely popular Lancaster Taxi Ride opportunities will resume in May and you can already purchase tickets for the annual Airshow held in August, but please visit the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre website for all the very latest details.
A final selection of NX611 renovation images, starting with this elevated view of the project
Having read about everything going on at East Kirkby this year, I am sure that many readers will have a similar question – ‘What will ‘Just Jane’ look like when she emerges from the hangar to resume her duties following the restoration works?’ This is yet another intriguing aspect of this fascinating project and there are a number of options currently being considered. Although the aircraft will be repainted for the 2017 season, this paint will again need to be removed later in the year before work can continue on her restoration to airworthiness. This produces something of a problem for the aircraft’s owners, but a possible further opportunity for the enthusiast – options currently being considered are to simply repaint the aircraft in her usual ‘Just Jane’ scheme, give her a temporary paint scheme of some description for the next few months, or even to paint the aircraft in the midnight blue colours she wore whilst serving with the French Navy. These colours were revealed during the paint stripping process and help to tell the fascinating history of this much-loved aircraft. Whichever option is eventually selected, it is clear that 2017 is going to be a big year for Avro Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’ and East Kirkby airfield will be a popular destination for people keen to experience this piece of aviation history.
Get Involved – The Rivet Club
The Panton Family are under no illusions just how monumental a task they are facing in attempting to return their beloved Lancaster to flying condition, but they are determined to succeed. If it costs around £125,000 to strip and re-paint a Lancaster, I can only imagine what the total cost of making NX611 Britain’s second airworthy Lancaster will be – estimates in the region of £3 million are being quoted, but it will clearly be a significant amount of money. Activities at the Heritage Centre and the regular Lancaster taxi rides will certainly contribute towards this figure, but they are going to need help from many sources if this project is to eventually succeed. Thankfully, a project of this profile and historical importance will have no end of media interest over the coming months and the prospect of seeing two British based Lancasters flying together is one that will certainly garner no end of support. To that end and in response to many requests to be able to help, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre have recently launched their Rivet Club, which allows people to make a monthly donation to the Lancaster NX611 restoration project, with contributions starting from as low as £2.00 each month by recurring monthly donation. With enough support, the Rivet Club will allow the restoration process to gather pace and we can all look forward to seeing this magnificent aircraft in the air, where she belongs.
By becoming a member of the Rivet Club, you will receive a monthly e-newsletter, weekly restoration updates from the project (from mid-November to April) and be part of one of the most significant historic aviation projects in the world. No matter where you are in the world, you can play your part in seeing this Lancaster taking to the skies once more.
I am afraid that is all we have for you in this latest edition of Aerodrome, we sincerely hope you enjoyed our East Kirkby review and the unusual pictures of Avro Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’. We will bring you the second part of my review in the next edition, where we will have more pictures of the Lancaster and further details from this exciting project. We will also take a look around the East Kirkby site and discuss why there are many reasons to pay this former Bomber Command station a visit.
Please don’t forget about ‘Project Aerodrome’ and let us have pictures from your local airfield, or an aviation project that is close to your heart. I would be grateful if you would send any photographs and initial contact details to me at aerodrome@airfix.com or aerodrome@corgi.co.uk where I very much look forward to hearing from you and discovering some of the aviation stories behind Britain’s many current and former airfields.
As usual, if you would like to join in with all the latest social media discussions regarding Aerodrome and aviation matters in general, please head for either the Airfix Aerodrome Forum or our Corgi Aerodrome Forum and have your say. If you have any specific comments, questions or suggestions for future editions of Aerodrome, please do feel free to let us know by using either the Airfix Facebook or Corgi Facebook pages, our Airfix Twitter or Corgi Twitter accounts, using #aerodrome. If e-mail is more your style, then please use our usual address as above.
Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to bringing you the second part of my Lancaster restoration review in two weeks time.
Michael
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