Lancaster PA474 and Wikipedia…

ISTR a story of PA474 leaving store at RAF Henlow being prevented by an unservicable tailwheel. As the aircraft was parked near the RAF museum’s Lincoln which was also stored there before going to Cosford and as the Lancaster and Lincoln were basically the same down the back end it was reasoned that a quick swop was feasible.
Is this the source for all these rumours of Lincoln parts on 474?

The A340 has gone out of production as well now – so BBMF might have to start looking for something else to fit……

Swapping tyres

Whilst on the subject of swapping tyres i beleive the RNHF swordfish utilizes the main wheel tyres from a wessex!

Increased trim tab and rudder area, basically – better crosswind authority.

Why did the style of rudder change anyway. What’s the significance of the flat bit?

I’m sure there was a list published of ‘components what fits other stuff’, giving details of common components which were fitted to many different types of aircraft, usually with different part numbers but the same unit nonetheless. The list also included viable alternatives for less common items – I think the Neptune/B17 covers were mentioned…..

Better tell the guides at BBMF then cos that’s what they told me 🙂

We must have had the same bloke, cos I was told the same:confused:

This is a common misconception about PA474. She came off the production line with the enlarged rudders, as did whole batches of Lancasters- while not the more common rounded type, the rudders are Lancaster from new, using the pattern adopted on the Lincoln. There’s photos of PA474 with 82 Squadron in Africa with the enlarged rudders, and of sister Lancs with the same- and also, examples of the rounded type!

While of course parts have been culled from all over to keep her going, the rudders thing is just a myth.

Better tell the guides at BBMF then cos that’s what they told me 🙂

The rudders are late Lancaster which was used on the Lincoln.
The undercarriage is late Lancaster which was used on the Lincoln.
The anti-shim tail wheel is completely different to the twin contact and when you look around all you seem to be able to find is twin contact.
We have spare tyres and when we spoke to BBMF their problem was not getting the tyres (covers) but it was getting hold of spare wheel units. We only have the one fitted and no spare.

The BBMF Lancaster has Lincoln tail fins as does the Duxford Avro York.
This fin has a straight edge instead of the normal oval shape.

This is a common misconception about PA474. She came off the production line with the enlarged rudders, as did whole batches of Lancasters- while not the more common rounded type, the rudders are Lancaster from new, using the pattern adopted on the Lincoln. There’s photos of PA474 with 82 Squadron in Africa with the enlarged rudders, and of sister Lancs with the same- and also, examples of the rounded type!

While of course parts have been culled from all over to keep her going, the rudders thing is just a myth.

Re- Sally B having B-29 wheels;
I was told several years ago that Sally B used Neptune main wheels , but i guess many of them are similar.
Think PA474 uses Lincoln undercarriage components because they are supposed to be stronger than the originals ( think FM213 does the same).

What did the BBMF have to say about these questions when they were contacted?

According to Wikipedia: “PA474 has the undercarriage of an Avro Lincoln and main tyres from an Avro Shackleton, both aircraft closely related to the Lancaster. However, original tail wheel tyres are no longer available and so a nose wheel tyre from a Airbus A340 has been substituted.”

Interesting !!! :O)

True. Seeing as there is no longer a surplus of the correct anti shimmy tail wheel covers as fitted to PA474 as in previous service, BBMF have adapted and overcome!

Apparently ‘Sally B’ has B-29 main-wheels fitted.

I have seen it on other forums that fitting the improved B-29 wheel to the B-17 is quite common on many of the American preserved examples.

PA474s mainwheels certainly appear to be Shackleton, with cooling fins on their port sides.

Re the Lanc tail wheel tyres, there maybe original ones about, but would they have the paper trail and known integrity to be fitted to a flying aircraft, if Airbus ones (which will be new and have a high rating) are on the shelf and fit, makes more sense to use them?

Apart from a few very early Yorks, they all seem to have had that style of fin & rudder, I don’t think it’s a retrofit on the York.
The power-plant and wing on the York was straight from the Lancaster, so I doubt if there is much if any difference.
Interesting topic though, I am sure that there are many similar compromises made when maintaining historic aircraft.

It’s getting to the point where the BBMF Lincoln has a Lancaster fuselage! :diablo:

Wasn’t there a suggestion that PA474 had York radiators or even a (complete ‘York’ wing)?

The BBMF Lancaster has Lincoln tail fins as does the Duxford Avro York.
This fin has a straight edge instead of the normal oval shape.

However, original tail wheel tyres are no longer available

I’ve got two out in the garage, and I’ve seen several nos wheels/tyres for sale in the last few years.

I sent one out to Canada for FM213, although that’s quite a long time ago now.

I expect there’s more to it than Wiki is telling us.

Apparently ‘Sally B’ has B-29 main-wheels fitted.

Airbus A340 nose 40.5 X 15.5 R10, Lancaster tail 12.5 x 10 (twin contact), so I’m thinking plausible.

I remember a tour around the RNHF in the early ’90s revealled that a ready supply of tyres for the Firefly mainwheels came in the shape of Nimrod tyres.