I suggest turning down the volume for the second part (PA474) as all there is is wind and it gets louder, you have been warned
."Lancaster NX611 Just Jane
Just Jane" was built by Austin Motors at Longbridge near Birmingham, in April 1945. Given the serial number NX611, she was one of the first 150 B Mk VII Avro Lancasters destined as part of the RAF's Tiger Force in the Far East. However, Japan's early surrender meant these aircraft were suddenly surplus to requirements and, instead of seeing service, NX611 ended up in storage at Llandow. There she stayed until 1952. From then on, a chequered career followed.
In September 1983, NX611 was finally purchased by Fred and Harold and, four years later, after completing an agreed total of ten years gate guardian at RAF Scampton, she was brought to East Kirkby, courtesy of the RAF.
It was sixteen years since Fred had seen her at Blackpool auction.
The first moves towards restoring one of her four engines were made in 1993. Two ex RAF engineers were brought in to do the job. They began work on No3 engine. Although it had been idle for 22 years, they were confident they could bring it back to life. Accessing the spare parts was organised, the engine rotated to ensure it would still turn and the cam shaft covers removed. Both had to be replaced, although the engine cylinders were in good working order. Then the propeller was removed, stripped down and examined and - apart from having to adjust the blade settings - everything proved to be in fine order and was rebuilt.
Local contractors were brought in to check the wiring and make good where necessary. That alone was a ten-day job.
The engines starter motor, magnetos, fuel booster pump and ignition harness were removed and checked, the fuel tank was pressurised and the fuel jettison system reset. When the throttle controls between the cockpit lever and the engine were uncovered, it was discovered that almost a third of the small control rods had to be replaced.
However after about seven hundred man hours and at a cost of £7000 the engine was finally ready.
This work was then completed for all four engines and are now at a fully operational taxiing standard.
.
Specification-
.
Engines- Four Rolls-Royce Merlin 24 engines (1640Hp each)
Dimensions-
Span 102ft
Length 69ft, 11 3/4in
Height 20ft 6in
Wing area 1300sqft
Weights-
Tare 37,330lbs
Max. all up: 72,000lbs
Max landing: 60,000lbs
Max. bomb load: 18,000lbs
Max. specialist bomb load:22,000 i.e Grand Slam
Performance-
Max. Speed: 275mph at 15,000ft
Cruising Speed: 200mph at 15,000ft
Service ceiling: 25,000ft
Range: 2,350 miles with 7,000lbs bomb load.
Written by Pilot Creative Solutions"
http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/lancaste ... _jane'.cfm
"City of Lincoln PA474
She was built in Chester in mid-1945 and was earmarked for the ‘Tiger Force’ in the Far East.
The aircraft eventually joined the Battle of Britain Flight in November 1973 prompting the change of the Unit’s name to the ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’. Restoration work on various parts of the aircraft has continued ever since. A mid-upper turret was discovered in Argentina and was brought to Britain aboard HMS HAMPSHIRE and fitted to PA474 in 1975, the same year that the aircraft was adopted by the City of Lincoln. During the winter of 1995/6 PA474 received a brand new main spar, extending her life for the foreseeable future.
After major servicing at Air Atlantique in Coventry during the winter of 2006/07, PA474 wears the markings of EE139, the ’Phantom of the Ruhr’, a ton-up Lancaster that flew her first 30 ops on No 100 Squadron based at Waltham before completing a further 91 ops on No 550 Squadron at North Killingholme. She sports the letters HR-W of ‘The Ton’ on her port side and BQ-B of 550 on her starboard, effectively commemorating the crews of both Squadrons."
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/theaircraft/lancaster.cfm
I didn't want to copy/paste everything as I'm not sure what would be considered copyright infringent, so feel free to delete all that if it is too much.
