Hi all,
A picture posted on FB recently has prompted this post…
Back in the early 50s my Dad watched a test bed Lancaster land briefly at Culdrose and then take off on runway 30 right over his head. I remember years ago seeing a sketch he made at that time as it was quite distinctive – a stubby nose (with a small shaft protruding) and a jet engine in the rear fuselage – air intake on top and jet pipe out the rear where the rear turret once was. He is unsure of the exact date, but thinks it was 1952/53. The Lanc was merlin engined.
He is trying to find his note books that are in the loft somewhere, but talking to him last night he recalls the aircraft being black with possibly a yellow cheat line with possibly yellow either above or below the wings – it was a long time ago and he is touching 80 now, but he had got a good memory although dimming slightly with age!
Trying to locate the identity of this aircraft – I have a Lancaster production book at home with some pictures, but none fit the description of the above.
The pic I saw on FB was LL735, but that was Hercules engined & scrapped/wfu at around 1950, so rules that one out.
To find a picture of the aircraft he saw would be fantastic!
Thanks,
Nick
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th February 2016 at 12:45
Thanks Wokka – it does look more like SW342 as you say, but…
Just got off the phone to Dad and mentioned this aircraft. His immediate reaction was that when he saw the Lanc at Culdrose, he remembers seeing the serial and thinking it was an ‘early Lanc’ compared to what he was used to at St Eval which were Lancs in the RE/RF/SW serial range. He also said it was definitely matt yellow on top of the fuselage (& maybe wings too) and black underneath. Of course this is a long time ago now, but I know how his mind works and he is often proved correct!
He is still trying to find his old serial number books in the loft, so hopefully he will and I can put this to bed!
By: Wokka Bob - 4th February 2016 at 21:09
From my limited resources it appears that BT308 (originally a Manchester) was struck off charge (SOC) in May 44.
LL735 took its place for the Metro-Vick jet engine trials including the Beryl. S.O.C. – Mar 50.
SW342 looks to be favourite as it was S.O.C. – 30 Jun 56 and as previously said had a Mamba in the nose. There are pictures around of it in this configuration at Bitterswell in 1953. (Unable to locate at this time).
As to yellow undersides, this was standard colour scheme for prototypes.
My two pennyworth is only here to confuse!
By: Arabella-Cox - 4th February 2016 at 10:38
I think SW342 was wfu by the late 40s, but need to check on that to be certain.
It was definitely a Lancaster, not a Lincoln (Dad has flown in a few Lancs) – his aircraft recognition is extremely good!
By: CADman - 4th February 2016 at 10:31
Could be Lancaster BIII SW342 with Adder / Viper tail and Mamba nose
www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_photos_testbed.htm
or Lincoln B2 RF530 with Adder tail and Tyne nose
or Lincoln B2 RF402 with jet ? tail and Naiad nose
http://www.mediastorehouse.com/avro-lincoln-test-bed-for-the-naiad-engine-rf402/print/5085040.html
Line drawings are in Modellers Data File Lancaster/ Lincoln
Paul
By: Arabella-Cox - 4th February 2016 at 10:04
I had found those pics Robbo and thought the same – it being a Prototype would it have had yellow undersides?
Not sure when BT308 was scrapped/wfu plus I would love to see a pic of the nose as he said it was distinctly stubby with a protuding shaft! The rear fuselage is exactly how I remember Dad’s sketch…
By: Robbo - 4th February 2016 at 09:52
Might it be BT308?
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February 4, 2016 at 9:33 am