Scene 325 ‘The Dambusters’
With a final squeal of brakes the Lancaster shudders to a halt on the dispersal, within a few seconds the four whirling propellers slow and then stop. The silence now only marred by the pinking sound of Merlin engines and Skylarks singing their summer chorus. Airman push the chocks into place and yell to Gibson “Brakes off!”
Gibson shouts back “Brakes off!”
The crew bus manoeuvres a little closer, as does Gibson’s staff car.
After a few minutes the rear door opens and the air gunner places the small ladder into position.
The crew, slowly, one by one emerge and climb down to the tarmac.
Last out is Gibson, as he climbs down he looks across the pan to see his Labrador on its lead held by LAC Jenkins.
“Digger!” he shouts “Come-on boy!”
Three of the crew walking to the bus, stop and look back at their skipper, LAC Jenkins (who by now has released the dog) straightens up and starts to frown. The dog remains sat, staring blankly at Gibson.
“Come on Digger!” he shouts again, patting his knees with his hands.
After a pause, both dog and Jenkins look at each other, then back at (the now wildly gesticulating) Gibson.
“Rabbits Digger!”… “We’re going to Cornwall!”
The dog shows no emotion and sits perfectly still.
By now, all the ground crew and the remaining aircrew are also staring at Gibson.
After a longer pause, Jenkins clears his throat.
“Er,….Sir…why have you changed your dogs name?”
“Have I?”
“Yes Sir”
“What was it?
“Er..Nigger Sir”
Gibson pondered for a few seconds.
“Nigger!” he shouts “Come-on boy”
The Labrador with tail wagging frenziedly, hurtles across the tarmac and leaps up at Gibson licking his face excitedly.
Sign In
