Just Jane to fly again

[Thundershot]

This cheered me up no end this morning.
I saw this report on BBC Breakfast news, just as I was leaving for work, this morning:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20886684

The owners of 'Just Jane', the Lancaster bomber which featured in last years Dr Who Xmas special & is only a stones throw (well about an hours travel) away from where I live, are planning to get the old girl back into the air







No details as to when she'll be flying again but it'll be a fantastic, & emotional, sight to see another Lanc' take to the skies again
.

[Chopper]

That'll be 3 then won't it?

A mozzie and Anson Mk1 took to the air in NZ last year, fucken awesome.

[Thundershot]

I believe so, apart from the R.A.F's Memorial Flight there's one other flying in Canada.

Just Jane's return to the sky could take a long time, I guess, the powers that be will want to be fully satisfied her airframe is in tip top condition & everything's safe & sound first.

Even then the shear expense of insurance, fuel & running costs will be a major challenge in keeping the lady up where she belongs...not to mention finding experienced crew to fly her, still I'd love to be there when she does lift her wheels off the ground for the first time in 40+ years.

[paul463]

Superb news! I love seeing the lanc fly.

[Chopper]

There is a spitfire that was grounded in Aussie recently, last estimate was a mill (about 700,000 pounds) to get the engine running again. The Lanc has 4. Ouch.

[Thundershot]

Here's a few of the running costs taken from my copy of the Haynes 'Avro Lancaster Owners' Workshop Manual'

OIL-APPROX' £11 PER GALLON (37 GALLONS X 4).

Fuel-Approx' £1.20 per litre (average 600 gallons,or about 2,730 litres, per trip).

Tyres- £31,300; will last 150 landings.

Brake bags-£2,000; will last for between 10 & 200 landings.

Engine overhaul- £80,000to £110,000.

These prices are for 2008, I'd say the fuel & oil prices have probably climbed skywards faster than a Lightning fighter on full afterburners since this book was first published.

Amazing to think that when Just Jane was put up for auction, by an aviation museum, in 1972 she didn't realise her reserve price of £12,000. Fred Panton stepped in & persuaded the R.A.F. to preserve her.

[Chopper]

Parts for the Merlin's alone are killer. My Nana should be pretty good at the repair, even if she is 91 tomorrow. That used to be her day job, between 1939 and 1945.

[Thundershot]

Nana Chop'

[paul463]

Parts for the Merlin's alone are killer. My Nana should be pretty good at the repair, even if she is 91 tomorrow. That used to be her day job, between 1939 and 1945.

God bless her and all like her.

[Chopper]

I blame your lot too, Paul. It was at Wigtown, Scotland she led my poor Granddad astray. He was a fine upstanding BA till his record was blemished in 1945.

I'll pass on your regards.