Apparently not a well known issue, prior to his time at 617, Gibson had been a successful Beufighter night fighter pilot logging a number of ‘kills’. He almost didn’t make it to 617 in far more innocent circumstances. In his log book there is an entry referring to a flight in (IIRC) a simple comms aircraft. In the remarks column, there is simply ” NEARLY BOUGHT IT”. For the uninitiated, this does not refer to a desire to purchase, but a short version of the old aviators adage of “nearly bought the farm” or, piled into the ground. There are no other comments, so the circumstances will probably never be known.

Camlobe

Hi Vultee 35,
Good spot. It is part of the design. Each end of the axle is held to its U/C leg by a large diameter pin. This allows the type of angular displacement displayed in your pictures. Chaffing blocks are installed on each leg, and act as sacrificial limit stops. Can’t comment on the Halibag, Stirling or Mossie, but the Lanc’s grandson, the Shackleton, utilised the same design.

Camlobe

My thanks to MikeJ. I hadn’t realised the PAVE was created especially for this unique event. So, the no-notice plan was put together. Get the caravan out of storage, book a place in South Hykham, grab wife, daughter and both grandsons, and off we went. Arrived at 1030pm, and head down by 0130. Early rise and back-laned it to the A15 about three miles south of Waddo where we joined the queue. Police No Waiting /No Parking cones everywhere. The WAVE was full as we went past. Directed into the PAVE at 0825 by Lincolnshire’s finest to be greeted by all-ranks of RAF Waddington’s personnel, who to a man (and woman) were as caught up in the excitement of the event as those of us who were visiting. “Would you mind if we search your car, Sir?” ‘Certainly, a pleasure’ as this spaniel happily nosed through our food supplies. Even the dog and handler were smiling. The Squadron Leader who took our entrance fee was smiling ear to ear as we agreed this was a truly unique event never to be forgotten. We were led to a place in the middle of the PAVE by industrious guides with their boards waving, all in an efficient manner. Then we waited as the PAVE continued to fill. The Portaloos were plentiful and clean (well, they were at 0900), and the food tent was doing a roaring trade, the queue being 50 yards long. Lincs FM announced around 0930 that the PAVE was full, and it was. So, what did the RAF do? They allowed even more vehicles in and put them in where they safely could. But the people kept coming. Where did they go? The Lincolnshire Constabulary rose to the occasion and allowed them to go into any safe place off the road. And the people kept coming.
The two Hawks arrived and did a splendid flyby down the runway, followed by a circuit and another flyby. As the crowd was watching the Hawks, my clock told me that the Lancs weren’t far away. Stood on the back of my Discovery with the grand kids on the roof, I saw, there, on the horizon, the truly remarkable and distinctive sight of not one but two Avro Lancaster’s. Catching my grandsons attention, I called, “incoming” and pointed in the direction of the Lancs with my arm. Perhaps with the excitement of the moment, I was a little bit loud, because others around us then turned and told their neighbours…who told their neighbours. Thousands of faces turned towards the southern sky in anticipation. And they weren’t disappointed. The distant, indistinct marks slowly but surely grew closer and moved into a tight formation. Ever closer they came to become sharp and distinct. Two Lancaster’s, both the same but different, with their eight Merlin’s announcing their arrival as they flew down the runway. The downwind leg with separation increasing between them as they selected their undercarriage down. PA 474 arrived first with a chirp of its main tyres on Waddington’s runway. A moment later Vera arrived likewise with two little chirps. Together they taxied to the parking area and shutdown to a round of appreciative applause from the gathered throng.
We had made it, the last minute, thrown together plan, the long trek from Anglesey, the late arrival, the early start, the long queues, the thousands of other hopefuls, the weather gods, the serviceability gremlins. If there was ever a possibility of something going wrong, then this trip was it. But it didn’t. My enthusiastic grandchildren, my interested daughter (who has flown in PA 474 before), my wife and I have experienced something truly unique, and the pictures and memories will last our lifetime.
We watched the departure of the three AVRO’s and even though I briefed my grandsons that the Vulcan would be really loud, they both were shocked to silence with hands over their ears. They won’t forget this day.

On behalf of all of us, my gracious thanks go to the Lincolnshire Constabulary for their efficient and considerate handling of the traffic and parking arrangements, the planners at Waddington for having the foresight to create the PAVE, the personnel at RAF Waddington for their welcoming, can-do attitude, the RAF for continuing to keep the BBMF operating, and most especially the CWH for their commitment to make all of this happen. Thank you.

Oh, and where did all those cars that were turned away go? Anywhere they could, lining both sides of every road and lane around Waddington, and into every farm field entrance, and the Police made allowances.

P.S. Did I find it emotional? Who, ME?
Well, when both Lancs first flew over, yes I did. I remembered from many years previously how many parties had tried to make this happen, but for excellent reasons (risks, costs etc) it never could. Yes, I did find it emotional.

Camlobe

A number of years ago, I watched a WWII film that covered the repair of metal bladed propellers. The film started with Queen Mary’s arriving with some seriously bent, holed, and generally trashed props. The whole process of repair was covered, including cold working, straightening and pitching these props. IIRC, they followed one particular Hydromatic prop from start to finish, but also showed other props undergoing repair. This Hydromatic prop had bent blades AND a 20mm hole in one blade about one foot from the blade root. The hole was blended and dressed, but not plugged, and the bent blades were cold pressed straight. At the end of the process, the prop was placed on an arbour over a balancing pit, and a feather was placed onto a horizontally positioned blade. The prop rolled under the weight of the feather.

Although most of what was done then is considerably out of civil allowance for repairs now, if you can find the film on the web, it is most enlightening.

Bet the holed blade whistled like crazy.

Camlobe

Just been reading my latest ‘Friends of WR963’ newsletter (thanks Dawn). Unfortunately, Richw_82’s contribution is overlaid, the second page covering the first. Haven’t noticed this kind of problem before when reading Word on my iPad. Is this an Apple issue, or has anyone else had the same problem?

Camlobe

Although I was aware of the Bluebird project, today I went through the Barracuda thread.

What a breath of fresh air. This teams approach, and equally, their results are fantastic. I am so impressed, I have even signed up for the updates.

Great work guys, and I will enjoy following your progress.

Camlobe