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Lancaster NX739

NX739 Operated by M.O.S serviced by Eagle aircraft services at Blackbush
has any one any information or Photo of this aircraft with eagle on nose Flight 4-1-1957
The last operational Lancaster RF325 was withdrawn from service with the Maritime Reconnaissance School at St.Mawgan in October 1956.three weeks before six were operational.
The Last Lancaster with bomber command PA474 was withdrawn from service in 1953 from no 82 sqd 3 years later she is still flying with the Boffins at Cranfield other Lancaster’s are still flying with the Ministry of Supply NX739 mk7 flying out of Blackbush and maintained by Eagle Aircraft Services and one with Rolls Royce and Armstrong Siddley, Others operated by the French Air force and some in Canada,
Flight 15-2-1957
Mentions the last flight of Lancaster NX739 mk7 which was flown from Blackbush to Wroughton to be broken up and Lincoln B2 RF332 arriving the same day to replace it.
NX739 was I believe used on photographic work on high speed jet aircraft,it also operated from Boscome Down on occasions as well as being involved in camera work on the film the Dambusters the colour scheme was black lower half of fuselarge and grey top half with an Eagle motif below copit has anyone Photos of NX739 or any further information about this aircraft

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By: Simon Beck - 31st March 2025 at 11:56

I dredged up this old thread from a year ago while searching
for info on NX739 myself.

It’s mentioned that it was used for camerawork on The Dam Busters
– is this the mysterious “fifth” Lancaster sometimes mentioned on
the net involved with this film classic???

Jonathan Falconer’s excellent 2005 book makes no mention at all
of it which makes me wonder if its use in the film is just a myth???

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By: Alpine - 22nd October 2011 at 12:31

Lancaster NX739

Took this around 1956-feel free to edit out my bike if you wish. You wouldn’t be the nice RAF type that allowed us two teenagers to look over her by any chance?

HI yes its possible i think the RAF Fido crews were the only RAF airmen at Blackbushe at this time 1956/7 in my picture i am standing on the left of the port wheel we used to tow the Lanc over the A30 road to the hard standing for the pre flight checks it was a pity they had to scrap the last 617 Squadron Lancaster still flying but i guess it was all about saving money .Blackbushe was a great posting for a young erk .The only other picture of NX739 was published in FLY PAST in May 2005 many thanks for yours

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By: BlueRobin - 19th October 2011 at 16:54

Trusted you Googled it 🙂

Top hit:
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=87137

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By: robmack - 19th October 2011 at 16:47

NX739

Took this around 1956-feel free to edit out my bike if you wish. You wouldn’t be the nice RAF type that allowed us two teenagers to look over her by any chance?

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