Lancaster Bomber to fly again soon?

[Galant]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20886684

Really hope those two can get her up in the air again.

The further we get from WWII (and other such events) the more it's important society does things to remember them.

It's a way to introduce these events to younger generations and from there to teach them about the significance of what went on.

[peterb]

Another iconic aircraft - only one still flying at the moment.

[Larkspeed]

According to Wikipedia there are 2 still flying, although only 1 of those is in the UK the other is in Canada

Anyway I hope they pull this off, WWII is passing out of living memory and anything we can do to remember IMO is a good thing.

[alpha channel]

That has got to be some of the best aviation news I've seen in a while. When you see one flying it's something you don't forget, saw it flying past my house some years ago, around the time of the Sunderland Air show I think, some months prior to that these was a Dakota (like the Vulcan in that respect, saw one at the very first Sunderland Air show). Nice to know there might soon be three of them around.

[scaryjim]

Remember going past it in the car many times in my childhood - side-effect of divorced parents living in south lincs and east yorkshire. The regular route for visits was up past Lincoln and right past the main gate to RAF Scampton, where a Lancaster (the one in the link, maybe? Haven't watched the vid as I'm in work...) was always parked up. Amazing machine, be nice to see it flying again.

Can't be that long since there was last a working Lancaster around though, remember seeing the fly-past pretty recently...?
EDIT: I see Larkspeed's already picked up on that

[walibe]

I'm amazed they got this far. Their names have cropped up a lot and I think loaned some equipment to the RAF signals museum in Henlow.

It costs us (the RAF) a lot to keep ours and the two fighters you regularly see flying and there's always talk of grounding them with every defence cut. For these chaps to achieve this is incredible. I think this is a bigger news story than the Vulcan tbh which the media fell in love with.

I look forward to seeing another of these flying. I think the CAF in the U.S show how to really look after historic aircraft. I'm sure they have a superfortress flying.

[Gerrard]

This will be good to see, especially as it will tie in well with the new lot of Spitfires that might/are going to be built.

That has got to be some of the best aviation news I've seen in a while. When you see one flying it's something you don't forget, saw it flying past my house some years ago, around the time of the Sunderland Air show I think, some months prior to that these was a Dakota (like the Vulcan in that respect, saw one at the very first Sunderland Air show). Nice to know there might soon be three of them around.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is based at RAF Coningsby (between Sleaford and Boston). They have a Dakota C-47 as well as the Lancaster, 2 Hurricanes and 6 or so Sptifres (I think).

[Larkspeed]

I think the CAF in the U.S show how to really look after historic aircraft.

I sure hope that's a typo

the CAF is the CANADIAN air force

[walibe]

No the CAF is certainly not. The CAF is the commerative Air Force, once known as the confederate Air Force. Your thinking of the RCAF?

I didn't realise the other aircraft were even regularly flying or that there were six spitfires! You learn something every day.

[Larkspeed]

ok fair enough.

Most people (even Canadians) however erroneously refer to the RCAF as the CAF. I'm that used to it that whenever I see CAF my brain just assumes they mean the RCAF.

[Galant]

When I lived in Tucson, AZ I got to see this a few times - http://www.dm.af.mil/library/d-mthunderandlightning.asp - although it seems that it's grown in the years I've been away. Used to love seeing the 'Heritage Flights' with modern aircraft in formation with P-51's and other classics.

They have the 'bone-yard' there too where you can see all sorts of decommissioned planes in 'storage'.

[walibe]

ok fair enough.

Most people (even Canadians) however erroneously refer to the RCAF as the CAF. I'm that used to it that whenever I see CAF my brain just assumes they mean the RCAF.

Fair enough, it never came up in conversation with the Canadian aircrew I met a couple years back who were over here. I'll take your word for it .

[HalloweenJack]

Sadly , there is a HUGE step from being ` taxi` capable and being airworthy - the only reason XH558 got back into the air was because of the hanger or 2 of spares , and the 8 zero hour engines (they have 1 spare left).

the RAF have `less strict` rules than civies - which is why they have the BBMF

[walibe]

It's a shame the lightning can't be flown here (they headed off to South Africa in civvy hands). I would imagine it would be easier to get this Lancaster airborne than the Vulcan. Various news reports have stated the brothers have now secured the new engines.

The reason it's no issue for us to fly historic aircraft is that they have been and still are military aircraft so nothing has changed.

Getting military aircraft flying in civilian hands is difficult as they have to be certified as civilian aircraft and have strict rules on their flying. Many seem to be in similar categories as those prototype aircraft receive.

The lightning is one case of this which was flown in South Africa until it was lost, another is being brought to airworthiness in the U.S. the CAA either wouldn't allow them to fly here or put up too many hurdles.

I'm not an aircraft technician or pilot so anything I learn or attempt to understand is from friends in these roles.

[HalloweenJack]

the thing about frightnings - about all have fuel tanks in the belly - which is fine for operational military aircraft , but as a civvie type is rather a big no no


so only fast taxi runs at bruntingthorpe or cold war jet days....


which reminds me - `teasin tina` - had the urge to log 1 more flight at brunty - the pilot said he tried for the deck but a full curcuit was the final option

[Larkspeed]

Fair enough, it never came up in conversation with the Canadian aircrew I met a couple years back who were over here. I'll take your word for it .

This bit from the wikipedia entry goes a long way to explain the confusion:

"The RCAF, an independent service until 1968, developed from the Canadian Air Force, which was formed in 1920. The Canadian Air Force was incorporated into the Department of National Defence in 1923 and granted royal sanction in 1924 by King George V."

I realize that's a long time ago but the anagram CAF still sticks in peoples heads to this day and gets spread as such.