Avro Lancaster

Another wrote:

I doubt they will fly it now, they make too much money from the taxi runs

They appear to be pressing on with it:

www.lincsaviation.co.uk/news/lancaster-n...ht/lancaster-ndt.htm

We drove down to Hullavington on a very wet Sunday in 1970 to see if we could catch sight of the bomber and it was over three decades later before we finally saw it at East Kirkby.

My understanding from our tour guide at East Kirkby was that the restoration to flying condition would be a task for the next generation ~ as their principle objective had been limited to a static memorial to one of the farmers brothers.

Having four working engines working and their now famous taxi runs had exceeded the original intentions.

Their principle concerns for the future ( at that time ) had been what would happen to the plane once the original team had passed away ~ They did not want it to gather dust in a remote location.

We were told that the owner had not considered a full restoration to flying condition however if this would ensure the bombers future then they would not object to any future planning or fund raising.

The discussion that followed on it becoming a flying memorial revolved around the main spar ~ as their existing one may have been considered time expired and it would need replacing.

They apparently owned one new spar and the discussions ( at that time ) revolved around should it be kept or offered to the memorial flight if they needed one to ensure that City of Lincoln was kept flying.

The remarks made at the conclusion of our tour had been that the increase in revenue seen as a result of the heritage movement could bring this discussion forward by a decade and it might even be possible to consider seeing the bomber airworthy by 2020 to 2025.

Our visit must have been around 2004 so its great to see that they are still moving forward.

When was City of Lincoln re-sparred? And does anyone know how many hours to its next one?

canberra;149861 wrote:

When was City of Lincoln re-sparred? And does anyone know how many hours to its next one?

Wiki records 1995 assuming that that was the first time then that would make it nearly 40 years ?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Lancaster_PA474

Does any one know the true reason for the heritage industry not being able to make cast another one ?

Dave.

Almost certainly a fabricated (rivetted) box section from light alloys with internal formers. The outboard wing spars would have been tapered fabrications attached at the start of the dihedral. The metal thickness (gauge) would have been selected to provide the required strength using the minimum acceptable to conserve weight.

As the main structural component to which everything else was attached directly or indirectly it would be the target for fatigue and, therefore, given a life in flying hours. Landings too would stress the mainspar through the landing gear attachments and should have been factored in. They didn't install Fatigue Meters in operational service so the assessed life would have been quite conservative due to the need to apply a generous safety margin.

'Vera' won't be flying this weekend sadly. Hopefully the problem will be sorted ASAP -

From Lancaster Bomber on Facebook:

"During a local flight this morning from Durham Tees Valley Airport this morning, the Canadian Lancaster performed a precautionary engine shutdown. The aircraft landed safely without incident.
It is now hangared and undergoing maintenance. Regrettably she will not attend our weekend events and will advise on others".

stevie;149964 wrote:

'Vera' won't be flying this weekend sadly. Hopefully the problem will be sorted ASAP -

From Lancaster Bomber on Facebook:

"During a local flight this morning from Durham Tees Valley Airport this morning, the Canadian Lancaster performed a precautionary engine shutdown. The aircraft landed safely without incident.
It is now hangared and undergoing maintenance. Regrettably she will not attend our weekend events and will advise on others".

It looks like I'm destined to not see her fly. Bournemouth on Sunday...

Word is it is an oil leak, so I've got my fingers crossed she'll be up and running for Sunday.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11440994....gine_shutdown_drama/

I had nice view when the BBMF Lanc flew over my garden yesterday.

I contacted BBMF and they kindly provided the following information on the subject of the main Spar replacement.

The Lancaster had its main spar replaced in the winter of 1995/6 and it was the only time it has been replaced, they don't really have a life span its more down to the stress on the spar causing fatigue , so for instance if the Lancaster had be flying at full bomb laden capacity it wouldn't have lasted anywhere near as long as that. It is quite well looked after never fuelled to capacity with the banking in the turns strictly limited to try and make it last as long as possible.

If this component were the one critical longevity item then City of Lincoln could still be airworthy beyond 2035 ?

Assume that they can perform non destructive testing with ultrasound.

I wonder what happened to the original spar ?