[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-02-02 AT 04:32 PM (GMT)]Ashley.
Years ago you guys completed the restoration of Lancaster KB889 ti imaculate static condition. She does look very good indeed compared to when you first got her. What I was wondering is why did you not complete her to ground running condition? I have first hand lanc restoration experience so I know the cost and problems involved with a restoration to airworthy trim is prohibitive??
Look forward to your answer.
Peter
ps Somewhere it was said that her merlins were completely overhauled as well is this true?
By: Peter - 5th February 2002 at 02:20
RE: Message for Ashley.!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-02-02 AT 02:22 AM (GMT)]Chaps.
There are only two lancs left in canada now that aare in their post war fit.
One is at Edmunston Mew Brunswick look at their website :
(http://lancaster-kb882.freeservers.com/)
And the other is FM212 at Windsor Ontario although now sporting Combat codes and colors. She is still in 90% post war photographic fit inside
Their site is:
http://lancasterfm212.freeservers.com/
By: SADSACK - 4th February 2002 at 17:27
RE: Message for Ashley.!
yeah i’d like to see a flyer in those colours!
By: David J Burke - 3rd February 2002 at 18:50
RE: Message for Ashley.!
Peter – I quite like some of the post war mods carried out to the Canadian Lanc’s and hope that some are kept in the maritime fit.
By: Peter - 3rd February 2002 at 16:23
RE: Message for Ashley.!
Some valid points made here chaps. She does look like “new” althought there is still some post war fit that needs attending to to make her right.
Now I remember her motors being kept by CWH for their lanc restoration. I wonder if hte engines she has are no good at all for running?
By: Bluebird Mike - 3rd February 2002 at 15:18
RE: Message for Ashley.!
..oh yeah!!!:D
By: David J Burke - 3rd February 2002 at 13:09
RE: Message for Ashley.!
They were paid for by the tax payer!!!
By: Bluebird Mike - 3rd February 2002 at 12:59
RE: Message for Ashley.!
True, costs and safety have to be major issues, but when they used to run the Me 410 and FW 190 at St Athan…phhwwoorrgghhh!
By: David J Burke - 3rd February 2002 at 11:39
RE: Message for Ashley.!
Peter – the original Merlin 224’s were actually removed in Canada as part of the Canadian authorities allowing her to be exported. This was when she was in the ownership of Doug Arnold so I don’t know what type of engines are now fitted.
Regards Duxford I don’t believe that it’s the museum policy to ground run engines and it also massively increases the cost of maintaining her . Accident’s have happened during ground runs of aircraft and maybe they perceive that the risk isn’t worth it.
By: Bluebird Mike - 3rd February 2002 at 09:57
RE: Message for Ashley.!
Aircraft sitting dormant in a museum are never going to be quite ‘right’-likewise, it’s possible for an aircraft to be TOO well restored, and to look TOO new!
Presumably our old friend cost will be cited as the reason KB889 is only static, and I suppose Duxford has enough to pull in the punters without needing to restore a Lanc to ground-running status?
A few years ago when they had a big shift around at Hendon, they had to remove one of S-Sugar’s wings to allow things in and out of the door behind her, and I saw the port outer engine on a stand, it looked absolutely ancient and was covered in that red wax stuff, but at least it was there!
By: Peter - 3rd February 2002 at 01:09
RE: Message for Ashley.!
Hello Ashley
Thanks for the news. I look forward to hearing what you can find out. It just seemed such a shame to go to the lengths of the restoration that they did only to have her sit dormant.
Peter
By: Ashley - 3rd February 2002 at 00:49
RE: Message for Ashley.!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-02-02 AT 00:50 AM (GMT)]Hi Peter :)…KB889 was completed before I began working at Duxford but I’ll see what I can find out for you…
As for her engines…well Duxford is renowned for it’s restoration of aircraft and great care is taken to restore aircraft as authentically as possible…I know that unlike some of the other aircraft in the collection, KB889 has got all four engines fitted, but I’m not sure of the state of them…
And can you imagine my surprise one day when I was dusting our MK24 and lovingly patted her nose, only to hear a resounding echo…no engine!!! I was rather miffed…;)
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February 2, 2002 at 4:31 pm