The four Lancasters used were Mk 7s NX673, NX679, NX782 and RT686 which were taken from storage at No 20 MU at Aston Down. The first 3 had already ‘starred’ in the film “Appointment in London” in which, coincidentally, Dirk Bogarde’s character is said to be based on Guy Gibson.

673, 679 and 686 were modified at Hemswell to represent the Type 464 Provisioning Lancasters used on the raid by having their mid-upper turrets, H2S radomes and bomb bay doors removed. 782 was retained in its original standard and appeared as Gibson’s 106 Squadron aircraft.

The Air Ministry is reported to have charged £100 per engine hour for the Lancasters (and the Varsity and Wellington) during filming sorties. The Lancasters were flown by Lincoln crews of Nos 83 and 97 Squadrons from RAF Hemswell.

Were the aircraft that took part in the film later scrapped? You would have hoped that their “film star” status would have ensured their preservation…

Presumably, the aircraft used were returned to storage and later scrapped. On that subject, the Lancaster Guy Gibson flew on the raid, ED932/G actually survived intact until July 1947 when it was scrapped without ceremony!

Pete

I’m a little bit surprised not to see a mention of my local museum – the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum – in anyone’s list.

It has a number of significant and/or interesting airframes among its 15 aircraft including 2 World Airspeed Record holders – Donaldson’s 1946 meteor and Duke’s 1953 Hunter – a 1 Squadron Hunter F5 which was based at Tangmere from 1955 and saw operational service in the Suez Crisis, the prototype Sea Harrier FRS2 and the Spitfire Society’s magnificent full-size replica of the prototype Spitfire.

The 3 display halls contain thousands of fascinating artifacts and many of the displays have been upgraded or replaced over the last 5 years or so and a number now include interactive touch screens and audio visual displays. There are also several flight simulators for visitors to try including the magnificent new Lightning simulator which was built entirely in-house and was the subject of a major feature in Flypast a couple of months ago.

If you’ve never been or your last visit was more than 3 years ago, this is definitely one to add to your list.
PP
http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/index.php

Thanks for the very informative answer. I wonder, though, why you can’t see the photo. Anyone else not see it?
PP