While undoubtedly spotless inside and out, Duxford’s Lanc always lacks character a bit for me-I suppose it’s easier to connect that bit more with a bigger ‘personality’ like Hendon’s ‘Sugar’. But like I say, that’s not to detract from what is an excellent job, and is easily now the best-looking static Lanc in the UK.

(Come on Hendon, give Sugar an all over repaint!!!)

I guess the choice of sceme for ‘474 has to take in several considerations-it needs to be a squadron of particular note, or an individual aircraft with a good history, and then perhaps it needs to be a ‘clean’ scheme (I.e, no naked ladies to look iffy on Royal flypasts!) and perhaps an eye-catching scheme too.

Perhaps I’m talking rot, but that seems to be the thinking to me, just looking at the shemes over the last few repaints.

See, ‘Sugar’ would fit that perfectly! 😉

Agreed on the French blue one too, that’s going to look great when finished.

Yeah, that IS a nice scheme.

Fluffy mate, the satin that ‘474 has worn for the last few years looks superb, I honestly think it’s the nicest coat of paint she’s ever worn, and if you could now just have a word with your superiors there and get them to honour a certain museum-bound 476 Sqdn machine next time… 😉

Seriously, just how cool would it be to see ‘474 painted up as S-Sugar? Imagine the BBMF/Hendon cross publicity shots you could have!

I know I’ve said this on here before, but I’ll second that call for the CWH Lanc to be repainted-the colouring looks awful, the markings are poorly positioned, and with all due respect to it’s intent, the big ‘VC’ thing on the nose looks naff.

Still, when I own a Lancaster, I’ll paint it what colour I like, too!!! 😉

Cattermole there nails it right on the head! 😀

As stated before, I only buy Flypast now when something in particular interests me-the recent piece on PA474 doing the dams celebrations, for example.

Hendon’s ‘Sugar’ is not alone in the operational stakes-W4783 ‘George’ is a very famous old war horse in her own right, she’s on display in Australia, where she went on tour after completing her operations. Also there’s the nose of DV372 at Lambeth of course.

‘Best’ of any type is hard to quantify; operationally, ‘Sugar’ is second to none, and yet as an aircraft, her appearance and display setting could now do with some sorting out.

PA474 is a magnificent example, and flies of course, but never dropped a bomb in anger.

NX611 is a great looking machine and happily trundles about, but also never got angry.

Aw hell, I think they’re all great! 😉

Shock! Horror! Lancaster seen with three wheels on the ground at Hendon!

Nah, it’ll never catch on… 😀