Avro lancasters….

s sugar

That is a great site for sugars history Mike! I wonder if PA474 will ever sport Sugars codes for a season???

An absolutely excellent online history of Sugar-

http://www.raf-waddington.com/specials/museum/lancaster/r5868.htm

I know the poster you refer to, I used to have one myself! It’s my understanding that most of what you see there was fitted by one Ted Willoughby, a former 467 sqdn man who took it upon himself to fit Sugar’s once bare interior out as best as he could over the years after her internment at Hendon.

From when they’ve had the covers off, and especially when they took her whole port outer wing off a few years ago, I’d say that the engines are just left ‘as is’. The one I saw was splattered with ancient-looking red gooey stuff, a preservative I would guess, and it had a few bits missing. So yeah, she’s got Merlins, but only as lumps on which to hang props!

Lancman.

I have a few pictures/posters on my Lancaster wall (yes a wall tribute to the plane..my wife is ok with this as long as it is not seen by anyone important…)..anyway one is of Sugar’s cockpit taken maybe in the 1980’s,, it does look very original when compated to the BBMF or Duxford cockpits..still “Sugar” does a real honest worn look to her.

Are the engines restored or where they left as is?

British Canuck-yes, I’ve been inside Sugar a few times, and her innards are a bit of a mixture-ropey old interior green sprayed all over the place-inlcuding all over old dangling bits of cut wiring loom etc-but her actual cockpit is okay, and is getting better as years go by. Could be a lot beter, could be a lot worse. It’s a shame that those pair of dummies stop you getting into the best bit of her interior now! 🙁

Seek out Guildhall Publications’ Lancaster profile book (by Ian Hartup) for the best set of interior Sugar pics in print-also of NX611, too.

Originally posted by Lancman
she’s rapidly turning into a hodge-podge of finishes, which makes her look well-ropey.

In a way, though, that gives her some of her character. If she were prestine like KB889, she might lose some of that ‘war-weary’ feel. In the long term, however, I agree that a repaint is the only sensible solution.

Willow

Hendon Sugar

Anyone seen what she looks like inside. Is she more or less complete? as I know some former gate guardians can be sometimes just a shell!

Willow, Sugar was last repainted thirty years ago, actually inside the main hall at Hendon, where she first came after leaving gate guardian duties. Her looks and finish have actually lasted very well since, though recent quite necessary conservation work on poorly areas of skin have led to bits of her being repainted in a more correct matt finish, while the rest of her stays satin. So basically, as you’ve probably seen, she’s rapidly turning into a hodge-podge of finishes, which makes her look well-ropey.

In my opinion she should always be one of THE highest star attractions at Hendon, but for now at least she’s not looking her best, which is a let-down. 🙁

I think, as far as the Hastings is concerned, ‘the futures bright – the futures AirSpace’ !!

It is most definately included on the list of aeroplanes to be included in the new exhibition (called AirSpace) to be situated in the rebuilt ‘Super Hangar’ in a few years time.

Willow

Yes Duxford’s Lancaster is an excellent looking restored Lancaster. Why do I see it often on “jacks” supporting the airframe? Is this part of any on going maintainance program?

Too bad about the Hastings..she looked great for a while but the colours are starting to fade again..(one of my fav’s four engine classics)..

I agree with your comments completely. When you walk up to 889 you see a beautifully restored Lancaster. When you walk up to ‘S’ for Sugar, you see an aeroplane that actually flew many many missions in defence of the free world. Bit of a difference there! Has Sugar ever been repainted, or is it in it’s own orginal paint. If it is, then it would be a shame to repaint it. However, if it’s been repainted before then yes, it should be done again.

Willow

While undoubtedly spotless inside and out, Duxford’s Lanc always lacks character a bit for me-I suppose it’s easier to connect that bit more with a bigger ‘personality’ like Hendon’s ‘Sugar’. But like I say, that’s not to detract from what is an excellent job, and is easily now the best-looking static Lanc in the UK.

(Come on Hendon, give Sugar an all over repaint!!!)

What about KB889 at Duxford? Probably one of the best static restorations of a Lancaster carried out (I did say ‘probably’). Mostly done single handedly, I remember, by Eddie West. He also restored the Hastings which is now being left to rot outside.

I notice that KB882 is mentioned as having an operational history. As they were obviously built at the same time, does KB889 also have a combat history?

Willow

Further to Lancmans comments, there are in fact 4 surviving Lancasters with an operational history. As he says, R5868 at Hendon and W4783 in Australia. But so too do KB839 now at Greenwood, Canada which flew 29 ops with 419 Sqd. and KB882 which flew a few ops with 428 Sqd. This aircraft is/was at New Brunswick, Canada.

An expansion has been in the works for many years now but so far it has been delayed with Government cutbacks etc.

The storage area is very much packed in these days!!

BC.
What a line-up!
Where’s my visa!!!!

Canada Aviation Museum

Sat,

Yes there is a Komet, 109, Hurricane, Spitfire, Lysander and Mustang..all surrounding the Lancaster…Did anyone mentioned this museum sort of ran out of space a few years ago..

We also have an ex-India Airforce B-24 Liberator, ex RCAF B-25 Mitchell, DC-3 and C-47, Canadair Argus, Canadair Northstar…lots
to see.

Thanks for all the help,guys,I’m sure the wife will be thrilled that I can find a new “happy place”!
BC,is that a Komet an a 109 I can see-say it’s so!!
What other ‘planes are there?
Mmmmm,idea for a new thread;what’s the current term for an aeroplane-kite,crate,plane,airframe?Answers to the usual place.

Sat if you like Lancasters….

When you are all settled in you should have a look at Lancaster FM212 in Windsor www.lancasterfm212.freeservers.com She is the Prototype Lancaster P photographic aircraft and is pedestal mounted in a rose garden in Windsor.

Yes,

I think that pretty much covers our museums in Ontario.

CHWH Hamilton
TAM Toronto
CAM Ottawa

We also have a few smaller museums. The RCAF Museum at Trenton is interesting also, mainly due to the restoration of the Halifax.