Many thanks to the people at the Lincolnshire Aviation Museum.
Myself and the missus spent a very informative and interesting day on Wednesday experiencing what it was like to be a bomber crewman in 1944.
The day started with a briefing about the aims of the museum and why it is a tribute to the many thousands of Bomber Crewman who died in the second world war. We then had a talk about the life of a tail gunner and how on average only 2 in 7 Lancaster crewman managed to survive a bailout situation – if they were lucky enough to have the chance!
As our taxi experience was in the afternoon we took time to explore the museum. The control tower, bomb shelter, queen mary, hangar exhibits and C47 among others. We then spent a thought provoking few moments in the chapel where all the aircrew lost flying from the airfield are commemorated.
We watched the first `crew` board the aircraft. Then one after another those big merlins were fire up. I have to admit to getting a bit emotional as the engines sprang into life. It suddenly occurred to me that a real aircrew must have listened to those engines with dread. A count down to having your life placed in the balance one more. I wonder if the ground crew stood like I did wondering if that big old airplane would return.
Then it was my turn to board the Lancaster. I climbed to steps trying not to brain myself on the master compass. Then worked my way forward past the various crew positions and finally climbing over (with difficulty) that main spar. A familiarization with the pilots position and a play with the controls (they are a lot firmer than I imagined) and then I took up position as bomb aimer in the nose. The pilots boarded, the engine seat lowered and quite waiting for those big merlins to fire up.
The engines fire into life. The airframe came alive bobbing about. Interestingly not the loud deafening experience I had imagined. Nor did I expect to hear all the whizzing and whistling of the air brakes. Then we taxied out with me peering out the nose. Strangely I felt at home in the nose. Not being able to see the aircraft I forgot I was in a lumbering old bomber and could imagine how the crew must have got lost in their own little worlds. Then we turned with the sun behind us and the shadow cast on the ground reminding me of those four merlins and that large turret above my head!
Taxing back to the hard standing with the engines run up to 2000rpm I closed my eyes. I could just imagine being on a mission over Germany but not quite. I guess that’s something I will never (thankfully) be able to understand or experience.
If you have never been to see Just Jane or had a taxi ride you should. It’s not like seeing the Lancaster fly, it’s something special.
By: SADSACK - 24th October 2012 at 17:57
re;
My Dad was 5.3 and said the tail end charlies position was cramped! He got to have a look in PA474, about 30 years ago…
By: trumper - 24th October 2012 at 16:52
🙂 That really does hammer home the link to the past,something as small and personal as a lucky soft toy.
By: thedawnpatrol - 24th October 2012 at 16:38
I too had a great day at E K in April, by very kind permission of Louise Bush,
Felix the cat once again shook to the vibration of 4 merlins, whilst he enjoyed the taxi run, hung from the pilots canopy, just as he did on 38 operations with Flt Lt Les Dale DFC at the controls of his 550 squadron Lanc in 1944/5
Thanks to all at E K
Jules
By: hampden98 - 23rd October 2012 at 15:33
Truly an amazing and emotional experiance.
And I had the Best seat. Surprisenly the engine noise is not too great back there, but you feel the vibrations as each engine starts.
And believe me it really gets to you, Knowing what those guys went through.
I was wondering to choose the tail end charlies position but went with the bomb aimers instead. Yes, it’s a lot quiter, but a lot more wheezy in the nose (compressed air brakes).
By: hampden98 - 23rd October 2012 at 15:31
Jack Currie served on 12 and 626 Sqns at RAF Wickenby 1943-44, Got DFC for getting a Lanc home without ailerons.
Wrote three excellent books about his wartime experiences, Wings over Georgia, Lancaster Target and Mosquito Victory – well worth a read.
Sqn Ldr Jack Currie
The Lancaster LegendMartin
The man himself! I didn’t realise he was captured on film, or such a celebrity.
Never got the chance to meet him but have at least shared the cockpit, and the bar at Easingwold and his experiences to some small degree 🙂
By: Richard gray - 23rd October 2012 at 13:41
Truly an amazing and emotional experiance.
And I had the Best seat. Surprisenly the engine noise is not too great back there, but you feel the vibrations as each engine starts.
And believe me it really gets to you, Knowing what those guys went through.
A sight many a Rear gunner never saw again.
By: Bluebird Mike - 22nd October 2012 at 07:10
I was just about to share a link to my You Tube upload of ‘The Lancaster Legend’, but Martin beat me to it!
By: topgun regect - 21st October 2012 at 23:16
The George pub had a regular called Jack Currie. He was a Lancaster pilot. Does anyone have pictures or information on this person ?
Jack Currie served on 12 and 626 Sqns at RAF Wickenby 1943-44, Got DFC for getting a Lanc home without ailerons.
Wrote three excellent books about his wartime experiences, Wings over Georgia, Lancaster Target and Mosquito Victory – well worth a read.
Sqn Ldr Jack Currie
The Lancaster Legend
Martin
By: SimonR - 21st October 2012 at 22:47
Hi there – Great write up of what sounds like a great day.
A visit to Just Jane is a unique and very moving experience – I was lucky enough to spend a day in her company earlier in the year, and had the pleasure of hearing the Merlins fire-up and taxi the aircraft at dusk.
There’re a couple of YT videos I took Engines Starting and Taxi-ing.
She’s a beaut!
By: hampden98 - 21st October 2012 at 21:51
A night taxi is definitely on my to-do list.
Does anyone have pictures of the Halifax the Panton brother was killed in or any information on it’s loss ? I would quite like to model my Airfix Halifax in those markings.
After Lincolnshire we popped to Easingwold in Yorkshire. The George pub had a regular called Jack Currie. He was a Lancaster pilot. Does anyone have pictures or information on this person ?
By: Dunbar - 21st October 2012 at 19:03
Nothing quite like being in the aircraft when the Merlin(s) fire up…Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood will be offering the same experience to all next year in the Spitfire (except you get to start the thing…).
Can’t recommend viewing the night taxi of the Lancaster enough. Very moving.
By: mmitch - 21st October 2012 at 18:16
I was there on Tuesday, there was a very strong wind but Ed Straw
had it under control. Best bit for a spectator is standing by the wing tip as the Merlins have their final run up. I see they are booked up a year ahead.
mmitch.
By: steve64 - 21st October 2012 at 14:32
It’s a good day out isn’t it? I’ve been several times and still enjoy it.
By: Stewart24 - 21st October 2012 at 14:17
How are the plans going to restore her back to airworthy condition? No mention of it anymore on their website. Last time I was there about 2 years ago I spoke to Fred Panton who said they were trying to extend their runway. Thanks
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October 21, 2012 at 1:52 pm