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Historic Lancasters' tandem flight takes place in Lincolnshire

Two World War Two Lancasters have flown together for the first time in 50 years.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's aircraft was joined by the only other airworthy example, which had crossed the Atlantic to Lincolnshire.

The pair was due to pass over Lincoln cathedral last Friday but the flight was postponed due to bad weather.

A series of practice flights near RAF Coningsby will now be performed ahead of a month of events across the UK.

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/76919000/jpg/_76919542_lanc_cwh.jpg)

Following a day of maintenance checks after its 3,700-mile journey, the Canadian Lancaster, known as Vera, took off alone on Tuesday evening.

Once this flight was completed successfully, clearance was given for both to fly together.

Large crowds gathered outside the airbase for the double take-off, which took place just after 13:00 BST.

The first aircraft to take to the skies was one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfires, it was then joined first by the British Lancaster, and finally Vera.

They were in the air for just under an hour but will fly a number of further training sessions.

Stuart Reid, former Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot and aviation historian, said: "This will take some getting used to for the pilots. These are big, heavy aircraft and flying together is hard work. The first Lancaster will have a relatively straightforward job but the one behind will have to keep in line, watch the other, handle the buffeting from the slipstream. Hats off to them, especially in this wind."

Stan Instone, who was a Lancaster flight engineer in 419 Squadron, was among the crowd. "The hairs on the back of my neck have stood up - that's what the sound of those Lancasters does to me. I wouldn't have believed it was possible. There has been talk about getting them together for years and now, it has come true," he said.

The first public display is scheduled to be at Eastbourne International Air Show on Thursday.

Canadian Lancaster Bomber grounded ahead of Bournemouth Air Festival

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The plane experienced an "issue" with one of its engines as it was approaching the runway

Displays by the last two airworthy Lancaster bombers from World War Two have been cancelled after one suffered engine problems.

A Canadian Lancaster, currently on a UK tour, performed an engine shutdown during a flight in County Durham. Its owners said it landed safely at Durham Tees Valley airport following the "precautionary" shutdown. It had been due to fly to Bournemouth to take part in weekend displays with an RAF Lancaster bomber.

An airport spokesman said the plane had experienced an "issue" with one of its engines as it was approaching the runway at the end of a 30-minute demonstration flight for invited guests.

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77257000/jpg/_77257985_023660987-1.jpg)
The Canadian Lancaster had flown across the Atlantic to take part in a tour of the UK

"The aircraft landed safely and nobody was injured and it taxied to stand. The Lancaster has been returned to the hangar and engineers are conducting tests to determine the cause of the fault," he added.

The last remaining flying Lancasters - owned by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - were due to fly at the Bournemouth Air Festival as well as the Shoreham Air Show and the Gedling Show in Nottinghamshire, as part of a two-month UK tour by the Canadian aircraft. The aircraft are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire for the duration of the visit.

There were over 7,000 of the type of aircraft produced between 1941 and 1946.

A statement from Bournemouth Air Festival said: "We share the disappointment of all the Canadian Lancaster fans but we understand that she is over 70 years old and these sort of things can and do happen. We hope she's airworthy again soon."

An airworthy Merlin engine is being shipped from the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre near Skegness and this will be fitted over the weekend.

Lancaster bomber mid-air engine fire

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The Lancaster performed an engine shut down before landing safely at RAF Coningsby

The only airworthy Lancaster bomber in the UK has suffered an engine fire while flying.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster - known as Thumper - landed safely at RAF Coningsby after it misfired during a training flight.

The crew evacuated safely and the aircraft will now be assessed by engineers.

Last year, the only other flying Lancaster had an engine fire whilst visiting the UK.

Sqd Ldr Emma Watkins said: "The Lancaster suffered what appears to be an engine fire during a practice run this afternoon. The aircraft has landed safely and all the crew are fine."

Slightly ironic timing for such an incident, on the eve of the anniversary of VE Day.  ::)

Is it possible to travel to Lake Windermere on The Flying Scotsman?

A little while ago when I put up this post (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=29165.msg351345#msg351345), some people complained that they couldn't see the externally-hosted pictures. Well the biter is bit; I can't see Chris from Nailsea's Dad's friend's picture. Odd, isn't it?

Can I pedantically point out that ...........

On the night of 24 March 1944, 21-year-old Alkemade was one of seven crew members in Avro Lancaster B Mk. II, DS664, of No. 115 Squadron RAF. Returning from a 300-bomber-raid on Berlin, east of Schmallenberg, DS664 was attacked by a German Junkers Ju 88 night-fighter flown by Oberleutnant Heinz Rökker of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2, the attack caused the Lancaster to catch fire and began to spiral out of control. As his parachute had caught fire and was unserviceable, Alkemade jumped from the aircraft without it, preferring to die on impact rather than burn to death. He fell 18,000 feet (5,490 m) to the ground.

His fall was broken by fir trees and a soft snow cover on the ground. He was able to move his arms and legs and suffered only a sprained leg. The Lancaster crashed bursting into flames, killing pilot Jack Newman and three other members of the crew. They are buried in the Hanover War Cemetery.

Alkemade was subsequently captured and interviewed by the Gestapo, who were initially suspicious of his claim to have fallen without a parachute. This was until the wreckage of the aircraft was examined and his parachute was found as Alkemade had described it. The Germans gave Alkemade a certificate testifying to the fact. He was a celebrated prisoner of war, before being repatriated in May 1945.

I noted from our 'On This Day' panel (top right hand corner of the home page) that there are 'No events reported' for today.

However, I have found one - it's not particularly transport related, but very relevant to this ongoing topic.  ;)

From Wikipedia, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Alkemade

Alkemade died on 22 June 1987 in Liskeard, Cornwall aged 64.