(UK) Sky History channel tonight (22/11/2005) 7:30
Vanishings – The Lost Desert Flyer
What is the most poignant museum exhibit of failed airborne adventure or wartime mission?
Having seen Bill Lancaster’s wrecked plane on display in Brisbane – such a tiny plane laid out a bed of desert sand is the saddest sight I have seen. There was a description of the flight – the words have been forgotten but I will not forget the display of the plane lost and then found many years later.
By: Propstrike - 22nd November 2005 at 21:40
Bill Lancaster was an interesting character, something of an entrepreneur and adventurer (obviously). One of his enterprises was the Red Rose (Lancaster) garage, which he established in Wendover, Bucks, just down the road from RAF Halton.
The premises are still to be seen, adjacent to the filling station on the Aylesbury road, and are now occupied by a heating company. Certainly up to very recently at least, the Red Rose logo was still displayed on the building. I imagine very few people now know , or care, about the history or the man.
By: Matt Braddock - 22nd November 2005 at 20:17
G-ORDY, Thanks for the photos.
The postcard I have from the Queensland Museum, Brisbane shows the wreckage laid out almost exactly as it was recovered from the desert.
By: G-ORDY - 22nd November 2005 at 19:47
Avian
I was lucky enough to be invited to the Press Evening when the wreck was first displayed in Australia House, London. Here are a couple of shots from the press pack.
Very sad.
By: SadOleGit - 22nd November 2005 at 19:37
You are so right Matt, although I have never seen the Avian for real, and likely never will, I think it is an appropriately sad memorial to Bill Lancaster. I admire the dignity in his final message.
SoG
By: HP57 - 22nd November 2005 at 18:29
Halifax W1048 lying on a load of gravel pretending to be the bottom of Lake Hoklingen. In any way something more interesting can be done to share the same limelight the Lancaster next to her is getting.
Sorry, just can’t help it. Must have something to do with the great job the Canadians have done to NA337
Cheers
Cees
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November 22, 2005 at 6:21 pm