RE: Lancaster NX622 engine run

Don’t count out FM212 if The Windsor Lancaster Group have anything to do with it! 🙂

RE: Why it is so different? Lancaster and Halifax

Hi folks,
The problem for early Halifaxes was both in terms of engines and aerodynamics.The Merlins fitted to Mk.1 Halibags had only a single stage of supercharging,so thier cieling and altitude performance was rather limited.There were also problems with directional control associated with the small triangular tailfins.The machine would snake at altitude,and it had a propensity to spin viciuosly in a stall if not very carefully handled.This spin was also usually unrecoverable.
These problems were cured by the square fins of later models and the introduction of the Hercules radial,so the Halifax could finally show it’s full potential.

RE: 633 Squadron Mosquito’s

Hi Moggy,
I’m afraid to say that two or three real Mossies were destroyed during filming.The one that crashed into the bowser was a real one,as was the example that belly landed in the middle of the film (not sure if this scene was shot from a different angle and re used in the end sequence).The only models involved were the ones that were shot down,crashed into cliffs etc.
As for Mosquito Squadron being a poor film,that’s quite an understatement!I think it’s probably the worst British war film that’s ever been done.The storyline was pants and the dialogue and special effects were tacky.I could only stand about 10 minutes of it!
It’s a shame they made such a flop considering they had three airworthy Mossies at thier disposal and a whole load of unused footage from 633 Squadron.

RE: Save a Sea Vixen

Is it me or have the people at Brooklands gone stark staringly raving mad????Remove possibly the best static SeaVixen on the planet from display?There are people who would sell members of thier family to have that machine on thier premesis.
With regard to what the owners can do with it,I can think of one or two museums that don’t have a SeaVixen,namely The Museum of Flight at East Fortune and the Science Museum.They could also try the ‘Crash & Smash’ guys to dismantle/transport the machine to wherever she goes. ANYWHERE but the scrapman please!!
Alas,if I were not so poor…

RE: One for lancman

Hi Peter,
I’ve been informed that FM212’s ailerons have already been put back in place,so this is good news for her general appearance.
I know she does get an annual airing,but this really isn’t enough.In the long term,the elements will win and the Lanc will end up in poor state no matter what you do.It’s got to be brought indoors.All it would take is one serious storm to cause serious structural damage or even tear her off the perch completely.Not good.
Added to this,there are already concerns about the condition of one or two of the engine bearers,one of them showing obvious cracks.I did mention this in a letter I wrote to the Windsor authorities,and pointed out that if an engine fell it could seriously injure members of the public,but I’ve had no reply from them.

RE: One for lancman

Thanks for the pictures,looks like they’ve got quite a job ahead of them.Makes you realise what a state a machine get into when you stick it out on a pole for a couple of decades.
I’ve been in touch with Ed Curnette of The Windsor Lancaster Group who’ve been trying to persuede the authorities to remove FM212 from it’s display plinth in Jackson Park,Windsor,Ontario.The group have run into problems because of opposition to the move,the majority of people seemingly thinking that it looks nice where it is. Frustratingly,many of these folks are also veterans,and as they are not pushing for the machine to be restored,there she sits.It’s quite surprising how many people don’t realise just how inadvisable it is to keep a Lanc on a perch.