The BBMF Lancasters realistic life span

Probably more connected with how much oil and AVGAS is left. Off the top of my head (Fluffy will be able to give the correct answer) the re-spar and limited hours should give a minimum of 50 years to the airframe… although its never that simple….

That re-spar was some 15 years ago now 😮

IIRC, at the time just afterwards, yes, BBMF did say she’d be good for another 50 years, but that it was more likely that she’d be grounded before that due to the lack of AVGAS.

Unfortunately I suspect that beaurocracy and red tape, if not defence cuts will ground her long before she becomes too fatigued to fly. If the BBMF were ever to be disbanded due to government defence cuts I fear that she would be considered too much of a national treasure and would become a static museum exhibit.

I sincerely hope that I am wrong and hope to see her flying for many years yet!

She is what 65 years old and is still going strong and she has such a place in the countries mind that she could go on forever but realistically she should out live all of us.

Curlyboy

till oil runs out or the raf is disbanded , none of wich will happen any time soon !!

reccon it will out live me !!

As long the government keep it in the air for I guess,

Its safe to say she still be flying longer then XH558 😀

Probably more connected with how much oil and AVGAS is left. Off the top of my head (Fluffy will be able to give the correct answer) the re-spar and limited hours should give a minimum of 50 years to the airframe… although its never that simple….