Lancaster PA474 – What works and what is for show?

Yes but the fact that our army parachutists are dropped from 800 feet is proof that you don’t need a lot of height for a parachute to open given a little lateral speed to delay your taking a downward course.

Thirded, if that’s a word!

Thank you Beaufighter VI, Definately NOT boring.

Yeah, I second that – a really interesting read! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Beaufighter VI, Definately NOT boring.

CIRCUS 6 and Beaufighter VI can I ask when you were with the BBMF as the policy regarding crews having ‘chutes seems to have changed in the different periods and I just a little curious as to when this was.

1978 -1984, in that time flew seventy five hours on board. I did say at the time my first trip of ten minutes was the most memorable, not for any special reason. Remember the times, I had already flown in a Lincoln, 500 hours on Hastings out of Colerne around the Caribbean, Africa and Europe, 500 hours on Beverley’s in the Far East taking in Thailand, India, Nepal, Australia and N.Z., then onto the C-130’s out of Fairford followed by VC-10’s out of Brize. The Mosquito trip with George Aird whilst at BBMF was really special.
If you want to be bored some more take a look at; http://www.rushenhistory.com/brat/Brat.htm

I did a few long transits in a shack MK 2 and our chutes were in a pannier in the bomb bay!Groundcrew by the way !Longest flight (I think I am correct was from BKY to El adem with just a few gallons left on arrival!!

Sgt Austin, well put ref the drain on time spent at home. This is what I was referring to Matt. Any job like working on something special or unique is very special, but at the end of the day, it’s a job with the same pitfalls as with any job. The more you do something, the less ‘special’ it becomes. Time away from home for those with a high time of previous commitments with their day jobs can put a massive strain on family relationships.

I worked on the Flight 2005/6 and remain reasonably well connected.

Thank you CIRCUS 6, I certainly appreciate what the crews do. Whilst I can see how it seems a joy to fly a Lancaster every weekend I’m sure that after a full weeks work of the normal job being away from family and friends yet again can become a nuisance, particularly for those that have already been away from home serving in recent times. No offence meant towards your view Matt, I too feel envious but I can see how sacrificing yet more time away can take the shine off the job, as enthusiasts we probably lose sight of these things.
CIRCUS 6 and Beaufighter VI can I ask when you were with the BBMF as the policy regarding crews having ‘chutes seems to have changed in the different periods and I just a little curious as to when this was. My visit to climb around inside PA474 was in 1998.

Please try to remember the crews are giving up their time to operate the aircraft at shows

you make it sound like flying a Lancaster in your spare time is a burden… I certainly wouldn’t mind the task

If you want her to to look more correct, please fund the manufacture of a proper Lancaster tailwheel and tyres….

Are they the anti shimmy type with gutter in the middle?

Just to clarify, the parachute packs that you’ve seen adorning the inside PA474 are fake. They are blocks of foam packaged to look like the real deal. The crew and ground crew have NO parachutes, and it is highly unlikely that the aircraft would ever be put in a position where one would need to abandon her.
I also remembered that the toilet is fitted but not serviced or used, similarly the flare chute is functional, and has been used to scatter ashes of at least one veteran.
The hatches are removed to keep the air flowing in the rear fuselage and the groundcrew cool, it also has draws warm air, in the forward end of the aircraft, aft, keeping the aircrew cool. Please try to remember the crews are giving up their time to operate the aircraft at shows and don’t begrudge them some comfort in their task. Most have seen active duty in the defence of our nation after all….
Oh, and Bluebird Mike is correct, she was manufactured with ‘Lincoln’ fins. If you want her to to look more correct, please fund the manufacture of a proper Lancaster tailwheel and tyres….

Beaufighter VI, sorry that my reply may of generalized the situation. I to would of opted for a parachute. I did fly many years back and always had a slimline Irvin backpack for the same reason you suggest for a climb to height. I did have one scary moment with an undercarriage problem and opted to land luckily without incident.

I should of explained in my quick reply that at the normal operating heights that the Lancaster transits that the option of clipping on a parachute and exiting the aircraft would be compromised by height+time in getting to exit the aeroplane.
The comment about Rob Davise’s exit from BBD at Duxford was also that this is a fighter with hood ejection and a bloody lucky quick escape super quick thinking on the pilots behalf and that he had the newer low opening parachute, which I heard he had not long purchased before that terrifying event.
The pack I had could be worn in the Lancaster but would be restrictive getting out of the hatches but it is one extra thing to save your own boots.

Any plans to remove the Lincoln rudders & fit Lanc 1’s?

Amazing that this one keeps coming up…PA474 DOES have Lancaster rudders! Some batches of the later machines were built with the increased area rudders, as per the Lincoln, so ‘474’s rudders are her stock, as-built items.

The height PA474 flys at a parachute would be useless anyway

Whilst I was on BBMF a certain Lancaster Captain and CO of the Flight suggested the same thought, we would not wear the harness or carry chutes due to transit height!
I suggested to him that if we had an engine fire or similar issue there was still opportunity to gain height and make an exit, please do not take away my choices. We kept our chutes.

Any plans to remove the Lincoln rudders & fit Lanc 1’s?

I’d guess extremely unlikely – the aircraft was built with Lincoln rudders, and they are that way for a reason – better crosswind authority!

and Rob Davies was in a Mustang not a Lancaster.

The height PA474 flys at a parachute would be useless anyway

Rob Davies might say otherwise…

Any plans to remove the Lincoln rudders & fit Lanc 1’s?

Pretty much what they said at the time but I thought it interesting that they carried them anyway. They certainly gave an air of realism and made you realise how difficult it would have been to strap a ‘chute on when in a twisting, burning aircraft in the black of night. Indeed, for a relatively big bomber there was very little space to move around inside and I think it quite amazing that so many did manage to get out when they had to. Regarding the turrets I was told that all the hydraulics are in working order but they do not have any fluid in the system so they don’t have to worry about messy leaks.

The height PA474 flys at a parachute would be useless anyway