Now All I Need Is a Lancaster!

[Davo]

My grandpa was a Lancaster mechanic for the RCAF and so I was very happy to see this: Dingocroft (Penn Rental Service Ltd t/a) History, Expedition and General Interest Titles (scroll down a bit when you have a look).

It's a Haynes workshop manual for a Lancaster! I received mine yesterday and it's an excellent book. It's based on the English plane that is flown regularly, with a bit about the only other Lancaster still flying, which is in Canada. It's a bit tongue-in-cheek, of course, since it's just a little hard to find such an aircraft for yourself. You can certainly see how the country that built such a thing also built the Land-Rover.

Some worthwhile quotes:

"Common faults
Common faults with the Lancaster include minor oil and coolant leaks, which are generally rectified by tightening jubilee clips on rubber hoses."

"Tools and working facilities
A good set of BA and BSF spanners and sockets is essential, as is a good general purpose tool kit . . . The size of hangar required is determined by the size and height of the Lancaster, but remember that adequate space must be available to split the aircraft if necessary, to lift out the turrets, or to remove and refit the engines."

And from a pilot of the Canadian restored plane that flies every summer: "We generally choose not to fly in clouds or rain unless we absolutely have to because, to be frank, she leaks like a sieve!"

Sounds familiar if you own an old Series Landy.

When I used to live in Canada the one there would often fly right overhead in summer - it was quite something.

[isuzurover]

There is a (edit Lincoln) wreck in QLD. 2 engines are still there, plus a few other bits and pieces.

[3 Lions]

Before I emigrated here nearly 7 years ago I had seen (and heard) 'The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' on numerous occaisions. This consists of an Avro Lancaster bomber, 2 supermarine spitfires and a hawker hurricane fighter, they make flights on special occasions. Absolutely awesome to see and hear going overhead, cannot help bringing a lump to the throat, seeing these go over you, the Lancaster being escorted by the fighters.And the sound of those Rolls Royce merlin engines.... Beautiful.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Before I emigrated here nearly 7 years ago I had seen (and heard) 'The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' on numerous occaisions. This consists of an Avro Lancaster bomber, 2 supermarine spitfires and a hawker hurricane fighter, they make flights on special occasions. Absolutely awesome to see and hear going overhead, cannot help bringing a lump to the throat, seeing these go over you, the Lancaster being escorted by the fighters.And the sound of those Rolls Royce merlin engines.... Beautiful.

Beat me to it.

There are still two flying examples of the Lancaster, this is the UK one:



"PA474 is one of only two Lancasters remaining in airworthy condition out of the 7377 that were built – the other being in Canada."

http://www.bbmf.co.uk/bomber.html

[Tusker]

Before I emigrated here nearly 7 years ago I had seen (and heard) 'The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' on numerous occaisions. This consists of an Avro Lancaster bomber, 2 supermarine spitfires and a hawker hurricane fighter, they make flights on special occasions. Absolutely awesome to see and hear going overhead, cannot help bringing a lump to the throat, seeing these go over you, the Lancaster being escorted by the fighters.And the sound of those Rolls Royce merlin engines.... Beautiful.

Saw that display several times in the 80s. Included a Beaufighter then - whatever the twin engined wooden one was. Amazing how the sound differs between the singles, twins & 4 engined aircraft.

And there's Lancaster that's been restored now to a state it can taxi up & down the runway. Saw a vid of it a few months ago.

Regards
Max P

[UncleHo]

G'day Tusker

I think that the twin engined aircraft was the "Mosquito" built from laminated wood and Merlin powered,nick-named the "Wooden Wonder"




G'day Lotz-A-Landies

Nice pic of PA-474 in her new paint work, as the "Phantom of the Ruhr" which is the scheme that she will wear for the current season or so

The crashed aircraft that is on Mt Ceribus in Qld is a "Lincoln" the later version of the Lancaster with a longer nose and airframe but still Merlin powered


cheers

[Tusker]

That's it! Beaufighter was Bristol powered wasn't it.

Have very clear memories though of getting onboard the Lanc on display at Hendon. It's from my Dad's squadron - he arranged access. Not much room with the spar right through the middle. And only access through the piddly little door in the tail...

Regards
Max P

[Lotz-A-Landies]

G'day Tusker

I think that the twin engined aircraft was the "Mosquito" built from laminated wood and Merlin powered,nick-named the "Wooden Wonder" ...

I have heard from a friend deeply involved in historic warbirds restoration that there is at least 1 and possibly 2 Mosquitoes getting new airframes built in New Zealand. The problem with the original mosquitoes was not only the plywood construction but the natural glues used to hold them together, over a couple or three decades the airframes lost their airworthiness.

I may be wrong but I think that there isn't currently a Mosquito (aeroplane) still flying.

C Ya
Diana

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks

Just a little bit of info for you warbird followers, the Beaufort that is being restored by Ralph Cusak at Caboolture Qld is hopfully on track to be flyable by 2011 for the RAAF anniversary

I was at the recent fly-in and there was a nice collection of warbirds there the weekend, Harvards, Trojans, Mustang (allison) Wirraway's, Austers J3 etc.Pipers,Cessnas, and Tiger Moths, plus the odd ex-Military aircraft.


cheers

[Landy110]

I've experienced the sheer knee trembling exhilaration of a single merlin engine screaming across an airfield at very low altitude and there is nothing like it!! (RIP Col Pay)
I have experienced the incredible Round Sound in quadraphonic in a low fast fly over in the form of "Connie" not a war bird but much like a B17 would have sounded I imagine.
But The sound of four Merlins in a lancaster must be incredible !!
I would love to experience that some day.