Can anyone identify and give history of this aircraft?

Thanks for the tidy up Bob.

It appears that this aircraft did not see active service with 7 Sqn. Not much to add; but!

14 Jun 1945: The 1st Lancaster B.1’s arrived on 7 Sqn @ Oakington. They began training for the Far East, Japan their target. The Mk III’s from 7 Sqn augmented other Sqn’s shortfalls.
25 Jul 1945; The Sqn moved to RAF Mepal, Cambridgeshire. Training continued until V-J Day 15th August 1945.
29 Jul 1946; 7 Sqn moved to Upwood until Jan 1956.
Aug 1949: Lincoln B2’s replaced the Lancaster B1’s.

Source: 7 Sqn Form 540/541 Operation Record Book 1945.

Bumping this one back up again.

Has anyone a history of operations flown by this aircraft? I would be most grateful if someone could come up with them.

She wasnt going for scrap as she is too carfully dismantled and also still has her turrets installed. I cant remember details but there is a story about this lanc and the pics…

A good observation Peter. As Dustyone has explained MG-G was on display at Gatwick July 10th 1948. Perhaps the aircraft was being transported to another air pageant in another town, hence the careful dismantling.

I think I can make the serial out as PA 414.

Air-Britain Serials says it was a Lancaster I that was delivered between June 44 and September 45. It served with 35 and then 7 Squadron and was struck off charge on 20th October 48.

Thanks for the information Jimbo. Is it possible to come up with the aircrafts operational history?

Talking of family connections, my Grandparents lived just up the hill to the North. They had their Golden wedding anniversary celebration in the Angel & Royal previously mentioned and we stayed there for it.

I recognised the road immediately from many childhood trips, although they were all post A1 bypass so we didn’t get stuck too much.
They both passed on in the early 90’s so not much reason to go back these days, many happy childhood memories though.

A couple of aviation memories are:-

Seeing the JPs from Cranwell doing their stuff overhead.
Sitting in a layby at the end of Scampton runway waiting for the Vulcans to take off.

John

While I cannot add anything to the subject of this thread I am amazed by the number of forumites that have a link to Grantham. My dad’s family is from there and I lived there for 5 years as a child (66-71).

I would love to know more about Grantham aviation history if there is any (RAF Spitlgate etc.)

Wardie

Not entirely Grantham aviation related but Malcolm Knapp’s “Grantham The War Years” is of interest.

http://www.lincsheritage.org/publications/lincolnshire_county_council/details.php?bookref=gtwy

While I cannot add anything to the subject of this thread I am amazed by the number of forumites that have a link to Grantham. My dad’s family is from there and I lived there for 5 years as a child (66-71).

I would love to know more about Grantham aviation history if there is any (RAF Spitlgate etc.)

Wardie

Can anyone tell us what trips the aircraft made and what is the colour scheme that it is painted in?

***** All the Lancasters with 7 – 49 – 214 FMS & 148 Sqns based at Upwood, & which I worked on, were Matt Black underside — Matt White all top surfaces, — (know as ‘Far East’ scheme) code letters, A/C serial Nos were Matt Black, prop.spinners were Matt White. All the A/C were B1s. — Sqn. codes were:— MG – EA – QN – & AU. — sadly non of these A/C were preserved.
The A/C. ‘call sign’ letter, (about 12 inches high) ie;-‘in this case’ G’ , was painted in Matt Black just below, & to the rear of the front gun turret either side ot the fuselage.

MG-G was on static diplay at the ‘Daily Express’ Air Pageant held at Gatwick airport on Sat July 10th 1948 where she attracted long queues who entered her through an under-nose hatch by way of a special ladder, & departed through the ‘usual’ entry/departure (starboard) rear door.
Climbing over the huge wing spar, which barred the way just to the rear of the cockpit, greatly limited movement when transiting fore & aft in the fuselage, this would have proved very hard for the unfit,or elderly, –women in long skirts & coats, or even some men (The weather that day was unseasonably cold & overcast that day so heavy clothing was being worn).
This spar even proved to be a challenge to us ‘youngsters. especially when wearing parachute harness etc etc.
This was possibly G- George’s last public appearance, & maybe she was removed by ‘Queen-mary’ to her final fate soon after.

70 to 80.000 of the public attended the pageant on that cold, overcast day.

Memories of a grand ‘Old Lady’!!!!

Dustyone

If you look at that fabulous ariel photograph on page 61 of this months Flypast, you’ll see that the featured Lancaster appears to be in the same colour scheme so it must have been the post war norm and not neccessarily ‘Tiger Force’ colours, but I’m no expert.
Driving through Grantham is still a pain, despite the A1 bypass, I remember them building it, it seemed to take an age to put in the bridge over the railway from Nottingham, which meant severe speed restrictions when we were getting very twitchy about arriving at Grantham station for a bit of train spotting, sorry, mustn’t mention steam trains on here.

What a smashing thread this is, what the forum is all about:) Carnt add much im affraid apart from she appears to be in “Tiger Force” colours. Facinating stuff.

Can anyone tell us what trips the aircraft made and what is the colour scheme that it is painted in?

Brilliant thread.

It’s stuff like this where the Forum really excels.

Thanks everybody.

Moggy

Lancaster B1

These Queen Mary trailers were photographed passing through Grantham in 1948. Can anyone identify and give the history of the aircraft they are transporting?

******I worked on this Avro Lancaster B1 (G-‘George’ PA 414) at RAF Upwood Hunts. when she was with 7 Sqdn. from 1947 until a shortly before she was ‘struck off charge’ on the 20/10/1948

Dustyone

David -post no.4 seems to be the answer.

So did anyone confirm what aircraft this is?

David

Thank you for the info, I know where the photos were taken now. I will buy that book!

There’s a dartboard in the Public Bar, where I played my most recent game about 15 years ago! It was my son’s first stag night – he’s now up to his second wife, like father, like son.
Must get that book when I am next in the UK.

You will see these pictures on the wall of “The Blue Pig” Vine Street, just around the corner from where they were taken.

In the Lounge of course. I have no idea whats in the Public Bar.

The pictures can also be seen in “Bygone Grantham” by Michael Pointer and Malcolm G. Knapp, published in 1977. I know you will be able to find “Bygone Grantham” either in one of the local shops or in a charity shop.

David
Many thanks for posting these photos. Always good to see something historical and aviation related regarding my adopted home town! Papa Lima, My daughter starts at Miss Roberts’ (later Mrs Thatcher) old school next month, notoriety or honour, well its a personal view I guess. Unfortuately although I’ve lived there for 6 years I can’t work out the orientation myself yet! May I ask whether these photos are from your collection David and whether copies are available?

You will see these pictures on the wall of “The Blue Pig” Vine Street, just around the corner from where they were taken.

She wasnt going for scrap as she is too carfully dismantled and also still has her turrets installed. I cant remember details but there is a story about this lanc and the pics…

You know, I think Peter’s got a point there. Not just turrets installed, but guns too. Can’t see why they’d be going to the scrap-yard, surely?

If the Lanc had landed somewhere it couldn’t get out of, turrets and guns could remain fitted after dismantling.

But I’ll defer to the more knowledgeable.