Avro Lancaster

Vera under going a bit of tlc in the hangar, the chap on the left is one the Canadian guides.





BBMF Lanc just arriving back from a display.

All sorts of nasty things got buried on WW2 era airfields, and my son, recently retired from the RAF after 23 years service (Chief Technician) had particular responsibility for keeping an eye on any proposed earth-moving work, building proposals, etc., on certain active airfields in Lincolnshire and Rutland. He tells me that buried nasties are one of the main reasons that various disused airfields have not been sold for redevelopment. Decontaminating ground is very expensive, and in many cases cannot be carried out due to the nature of the stuff thought to be buried. A lot got buried on site in 1945/6 because it was considered too dangerous to move by road for disposal. In particular, phosphorous bombs were nearly always buried on site.
In more recent years, many thousands of cattle carcases infected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease and CJD ("Mad Cow Disease"), have also been buried on disused airfields, well away from where buried munitions, chemicals, etc., were thought to be buried.
A few years ago, in Stapleford Woods, close to RAF Swinderby, there were several instances of glass-bodied phosphorous bombs being found, and a VERY CAREFUL clearance had to be carried out. Best not go souvenir digging on old airfield sites !!

This posting is in reply to postings done in 2009, about possible buried Lancasters and other items buried at the end of WW2.

Thanks for all you kind words on my photos, pleased that you all enjoyed them.

Both Lancs & Vulcan XH558 will be together at Waddington a week on Thursday!! What an amazing sight that'll make (& I'm off work that day Hooraaaaayyy!!) I do hope this means a formation pass as well. -

(From the RAF Waddington website) -

We are thrilled to announce that on Thursday 21^st August 2014 the last two remaining airworthy Lancaster bombers, PA474 flown by Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and FM213 flown by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum will fly in to RAF Waddington where they will be joined by the famous delta wing Vulcan Bomber XH558.
Accompanying the line up will be two Hawk aircraft flown by 100 Squadron from RAF Leeming.
We know that there will be considerable interest in this therefore the Station will be providing parking on the base for members of the public who wish to see this exciting line up from the safety of a Park and View Enclosure (PAVE).
For all you aircraft enthusiasts out there this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these iconic aircraft all together so it is our intention to position the three historical aircraft in such a way on the airfield that people using the PAVE facility will have a vantage point from which to take photographs. The aircraft will then depart RAF Waddington to display at various events around the country.
The following terms and conditions apply

• This event is dependant on aircraft serviceability and favorable weather conditions
• Tickets for the PAVE are available on the day only
• Access to the PAVE will be on a first come first served basis
• Cost is £10 per vehicle (based on average family car or 4x4) or £5 per pedestrian
• No coaches or minibuses
• No dogs allowed (except assistance dogs)
• No gazebos, parasols, tents or BBQ’s
• We reserve the right to refuse entry
• You and/or your vehicle may be searched at any time

There will be toilet facilities on site and light refreshments will be available to purchase.
Disabled facilities will be available.
Please do not attempt to park your vehicle on the A15 as this area will be designated a clearway for this event. Individuals attempting to park on the A15 will be directed to leave.
Keep a look out for more information (including timings, gates open etc) which will be published very soon!
General enquiries via e-mail only please to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thwaites are sponsors of the tour , have to say coverage on AIX seems better so far !

New pics have been posted

www.lancasterbomberale.co.uk

The Canadian Lanc is due up for a practise & display authorisation flight as I type this now. Wish I was at Coningsby!

Here's an update about the planned Lanc & Vulcan photocall event next week at Waddington. (SURELY they'll include a formation flypast on departure??? apparently not according to this) -

(Courtesy of the RAF Waddington website)

---

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY. 2 x Lancasters and Vulcan at RAF Waddington 21 August 2014
Not unsurprisingly we’ve had an amazing response from you all to the news that these iconic AVRO aircraft are going to be here at RAF Waddington. We understand that you’re keen to know more so we’re pleased to be able to share the following information with you.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
This is not an Air Show. The purpose of the PAVE is to provide a safe parking area off the main highway to view the arrival and departure of the visiting aircraft. There is no provision for additional access to the base nor is it possible for members of the public to tour the aircraft or wander freely around them.
· 1500h Wednesday 20^th August 2014 - Vulcan XH558 will arrive at RAF Waddington where it will remain overnight
· 0815h Thursday 21^st August 2014 – The Park And View Enclosure (PAVE) at RAF Waddington will open to the public
· 0900h Thursday 21^st August 2014 – The Lancasters PA474 and FM213 will arrive in close succession at RAF Waddington. Once the Lancasters have landed the Vulcan will be towed in to position alongside them
So that you can get the very best view of the aircraft they will be parked as close as is safely possible to the PAVE.
Interval – During this time the crews will be absent from their aircraft as they plan and prepare for the events that they are scheduled to display at later in the day.
· 1215h onwards – The aircrew will return to their aircraft for pre-flight checks prior to take-off
· 1320h – The aircraft will begin to taxy into position for take-off
· 1340h – The Lancasters will take off one after the other followed by the Vulcan. The aircraft will then immediately leave the visual circuit as they transit to their next destination.
· 1430h – The PAVE closes
These timings are approximate. Please keep watching the website for any updates.
The PAVE is located on the perimeter of the airbase at RAF Waddington and can only be accessed from the A15. A map is attached for your convenience. Signage will be clearly displayed in the vicinity. Please do not attempt to access the PAVE via the main gate at RAF Waddington; you will be turned away. Additionally, please do not attempt to park your vehicle on the A15 as this area will be designated a clearway for this event. Individuals attempting to park on the A15 will be directed to leave.
The following terms and conditions apply
· The arrival and departure of these aircraft is dependant on aircraft serviceability and favourable weather conditions
· Tickets for the PAVE are only available on the day. No advance ticket sales.
· The PAVE opens at 0815h on Thursday 21^st August
· Access to the PAVE will be on a first come first served basis. Regretfully there are no exceptions
· Cost is £10 per vehicle (based on average family car or 4x4), £5 per motorcycle or £5 per pedestrian
· No coaches, minibuses, caravans or motor homes.
· No dogs allowed (except assistance dogs)
· No gazebos, parasols, tents, kites or BBQ’s
· No traders
· We reserve the right to refuse entry
· You and/or your vehicle may be searched at any time
· Visitors will remain within the confines of the parking area
There will be toilet facilities on site and light refreshments will be available to purchase.
Disabled parking and toilets will be available.
We really hope that you’ll use the PAVE but out of consideration for our neighbours we kindly ask that if you don’t intend to use this designated parking area, you avoid parking on the surrounding public highways in a way that causes disruption to the flow of traffic and/or an obstruction to the local residents.
And finally…… We wish to make it clear that there is no provision for additional access to the base nor is it possible for members of the public to tour the aircraft or wander freely around them. Visitors will remain within the confines of the parking area.
This event is dependant on aircraft serviceability and favourable weather conditions. Check the website on a regular basis for updates. In the event of a change to the programme we will post information as soon as we are able to do so.
All enquiries via e-mail only to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Enquiries regarding other scheduled appearances for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Canadian Lancaster and The Vulcan should be directed to the individual display teams.


News article

I arrived at Coningsby on Monday about 11.50am, parked up and waited along with the many other's. Nothing was happening at all, the wind was quite strong so I called at East Kirkby. After this I visited the new memorial at Great Steeping ( Spilsby ) then back to Coningsby, still nothing going on with the strong wind. Went back to my accommodation in Woodhall Spa, then later called at the Bluebell Inn at Tattershall Thorpe, closed on Monday's, stopped at the Abbey Inn? almost back at Woodhall, closed on Monday's. Went to the Chip shop down Witham road in Woohall, closed on Monday's. Found a Pub called Smarties along the Broadway, ordered a pint of Carling, barrel ran-out half way through... though this pub did have some interesting aviation photographs. Called at the Kebab shop later, (7.50pm) Sorry, no meat delivery today, burgers or chips only.
Tuesday morning at 8am I had breakfast with the Curator of the Canadian Lancaster Museum, who unknown to me was staying at the same place. At the same time the Canadian Lancaster was brought out of the hangar and the engines were started but then sadly turned off and she was put back in the hangar. Too windy still. This I was told back at the car park about 9.30am.
Just before leaving the guest house the Curator returned to the breakfast room and presented the host and myself with a small Lancaster badge. I waited around the airfield in the high wind til about 1pm then made my way home rather disappointed But at least I got to meet Alex and passed on to him the aviation plates etc. So it wasn't all in vain.

I'll try & remember to scan the dates page from the Canadian Official tour guide.

As has been said Thwaites are sponsoring the tour and theyre based in Blackburn. Is the Lanc going to appear round here??? No!!

What a shot.
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