Just Jane [update 2 March 11]

[Dangerousdave]

An exclusive interview is in Flypast this month with the Panton brothers talking about looking at putting her back in the air. Apparently one of the things to consider is the advantage of doing it. Er......hello!!! I think hearing 8 merlins roaring overhead isreason enough.

[Mayfly]

If they have the money & can maintain her why not. 3 of Avros finest in formation, oooo look out SM you'll need to carry clean underwear...

[Hihonyr8811]

Whilst I am the first to say how amazing it would be to see her fly (not to mention fly along side her sister and cousin), there are also many many cons to it.

EK is a fantestic museum!! I could wander round it all day (and do), but i'd say a good percentage of the people who visit, do so to see JJ.
If she's under major maintanence to get to flying condition she won't be able to taxi, that means a massive loss of revinue because they said the other week when I was there, the taxi rides (£175 a go) are booked up till September, so that would be an aweful loss to them. When she goes away for the winter they only get a trickle of people through the gates, when I went in December it was dead, there were 6 cars in the carpark (including ours). Now I'm not saying that would happen if she was returned to flight, as firstly the weather in Dec is freezing lol and I'd imagine people would come to see how far along she was, and not to mention the amount of people who'd turn up to see a first flight (even if they couldn't get on site), but for a short time they'd loose their USP, her taxiing.
Not to mention the cost to buy land and to extend the runway, It's no where near long enough.

On the plus side, I read somewhere that she has about 1000 hours on her main spar left, which would be good for (I think it said) two years. So I guess it wouldn't be that hard to get her to flying status (minus paper work and CAA e.t.c.).

As I say, I'll be first at EK when she flies LOL
It's probably one of my favorite places.


Sorry for the rant btw

[Gaz]

No need to apologise Helen. You make a good point.

I'd imagine she'd return to EK anyway once her time was up

[Saracenman]

lots of interesting points there Hihonyr8811, although I'm certain that the revenue (both direct and indirect) that could be generated during future years by FLYING JJ would somewhat outweigh the loss of fast taxying during a major restoration.

ultimately though i suspect that the Pantons would rather keep EK as her home base, whether she ends up flying again or not - and that would need the extra outlay for land as you say.

as for the spar issue - sure, two years on the current spar - but don't forget that PA474 was re-sparred (by Air Atlantique in Coventry i believe) only a few years ago. the technology still exists, so why not?

as with any business, it must simply come down to a cost-benefit analysis - does the potential revenue warrant the initial cost?

i had always hoped that Jackson's Dambusters remake might help fund JJ's return to flight, in much the same way as the BoB film did with so many of our warbirds. wishful thinking i suppose

sm

[Hihonyr8811]

The Pantons have always said that her home is EK, and they'd operate her from there.
Mainly so they can continue to do what they're famous for I guess

I certainly think that the Pantons have looked at other restoration projects and how they've faired, because the first time I ever went to EK, someone asked one of them if JJ would ever fly and he gave a definite no to that. So it'd be interesting to know what changed.

Oh of course, eventually she'll have to be re sparred, but I beieve I read that they'd only do light duties, they wouldn't have the same load as PA474, so it wouldn't be a priority.


Anyway, it's about time the Candian Lanc come over for a visit isn't it

How about a 3 ship lanc flypat with 558?

[Jigsaw]

Thats almost an orgasmic thought there Helen

[Mayfly]

I thought the Pantons owned all the land around them I doubt if they would need to buy any

[Hihonyr8811]

The lady who does the tours of the old air field said verious farmers own the land, because they used to go all the way around, but some of the land owners have puts locks on gates, so they have had to cut the tours short.

[Mayfly]

wow that surprises me

[Hihonyr8811]

Yeah I was suprised to to be honets.

I don't know where the boundry lines are though.
They could own quite a bit. but just not the important bits

[Saracenman]

find the longest continuous bit that they DO own and...

looking at EK on Google Earth, you can see just how the runway was sliced up - it looks like the Pantons only have about 50% of what used to be there...



sm

[Ducati Boy]

A couple of years back seem to remember seeing JJ do a film job and she was damn near off the deck, and she still stopped in time on EK. This is a Lanc folks not a Vulcan. She don't need anywhere near our birds landing run and without bombs quite a short take off run may be needed.
Anyone know how long the actual available landing run and take off run is at EK, compared to the original needs of a lightly loaded Lanc??? What say Mayfly does DT have an answer?

As for restoration to flight, she is not designated a complex a/c by the CAA, ergo cost to flight status lots less.

Love to see it happen and I would jump ship for expenses and a cup of NAAFI char and a wad per day to have the pleasure of helping her back to flight.

[Mayfly]

Well I have to confess that one or two have spoken to DT over the last couple of years which is why I thought they had enough land for their needs - but I have no knowledge of figures.

but to be fair having some where to take off/land is fundimental so I'm sure they have worked something out

[Gaz]

They'll be a massive runway and a big hangar not doing anything in Leicestershire in a few months time

[Mayfly]

you wish

[Hihonyr8811]

I'd just like to say that what I've said, is what I have heard with my own ears whilst wandering around EK.

Most of that came from the lady in the shop who was chatting with two Australian chaps and also the lady who does the tours.

I wasn't tying to compare JJ to a vulcan
Was just passing on what I've heard.

[Gaz]

=)) you wish

I do actually. Be awfully quiet round here once it's gone

[Mayfly]

Just been on Radio BBC Lincolnshire [although I haven't heard it personally] - The Panton Brothers have stated JJ will be returned to flying condition - work is expected to start in 12-14 months time once they have all the spares they require & hopefully the restoration will take 2 years......

[Hihonyr8811]

About bloody time

[Xplumberlives]

Just been on Radio BBC Lincolnshire [although I haven't heard it personally] - The Panton Brothers have stated JJ will be returned to flying condition - work is expected to start in 12-14 months time once they have all the spares they require & hopefully the restoration will take 2 years......

Thanks for that M.F. be good to see a second flying Lanc' in the UK and a third in the world!

Just been looking at buying tickets to this years RAFA airshow at EK!

[Hihonyr8811]

If anyone's interested it's about 1 hour 17 minutes in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0 ... 8_02_2010/

Very very interesting.

Sounds like they don't care about the air show circuit, more that they just want to see her flying, I really can't wait
And I wish them all the best with it

[Mackrick]

Thats a great bit of news ...look forward to seeing the progress of it..

[Cluny]

Now that makes sense of the news item on their website last year [ http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/news/latest-news/new-merlin-delivered-for-avro-lancaster-nx611.htm ]

[Mayfly]

Now I can confess when we saw them last Nov at the fireworks, they said they said then they were nearly there on sourcing all the spares required.