Simviation Forums

Dambusters 75th anniversary.
The Lancaster was supposed to fly today over the Derwent dam but was cancelled.
FCS lancaster Derwent valley

Dusk

On the way to the dams

Its now dark and at low level in the moonlight

Just passed Arnsberg on the way to the Mohne a bit dark in the next pictures.

Very low over the water out the canopy shot

Don't have the downward lights will have to use the landing lights instead

At least with the landing lights you can see the aircraft in the shot, the Mohne dam should be in front of the lanc but in FSX it does not exist.

Truly a Great Aircraft...

Nice set Dave...

Like them Dave , I did try a while ago flying low at night in the Lancaster, bloody hard work, I can only imagine the skill of the brave lads who did the missions.

Cheers
Rich

I have had the pleasure of being inside 3 different Lancasters [all in Canada]. On one of them [KB976] I was aboard when the engines were started up for tests by Dick Richardson the Engineer. Then the aircraft was flown to Scotland for the new owner ,the Strathallen Collection. What a pleasure to hear the RR Merlin engines running .
The Lancaster was not made for comfort. I cannot imagine what long missions at night, at altitude, and in combat must have been like for the crews. Every one who served on Lancs deserves our respect and thanks.

The lancaster at low level with a full fuel load and a deph charge weighing 6,600 pounds or2,994 kg is a feat in itself without having black out conditions and being shot at. I have the utmost respect for all the bomber crews.

The upkeep specifications
H=1.42meters(4ft8in)
W=1.42meters
Length= 1.52meters (5ft)
Weight=9,250 pounds, 4195kg, 4.195 tonnes

Details of the mission here http://www.thedambusters.org.uk/index.html

Good afternoon all...

Dave I posted a Link which is an interesting read in the Forum "Real Aviation" on Simviation.

Vintage Wings of Canada is a Free Site and send a story once a month...all most interesting...

Thanks for the link an interesting article.

Lookin good!

I noticed Aeroplane Heaven is making a version of the Lancaster...

https://www.aeroplaneheaven.com/product_lanc.php

Flacke wrote:I have had the pleasure of being inside 3 different Lancasters [all in Canada]. On one of them [KB976] I was aboard when the engines were started up for tests by Dick Richardson the Engineer. Then the aircraft was flown to Scotland for the new owner ,the Strathallen Collection. What a pleasure to hear the RR Merlin engines running .
The Lancaster was not made for comfort. I cannot imagine what long missions at night, at altitude, and in combat must have been like for the crews. Every one who served on Lancs deserves our respect and thanks.

Just spotted this. I know Dick Richardson well. A really nice man. Until retiring recently he was airfield manager at Popham airfield which I regularly visit.
I took this photo of him at Popham back in 2013. He was also a keen motorcyclist. https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111776794913843321815/album/AF1QipPp1gva5C7q-D8M_4p6QWTID3Y8a4gZ-eO96U1N/AF1QipMaHszHJyL6KhhT3yw_NFJAl3UlJukrPMXxhnQ-
Dick is alive & well & gives occasional interesting talks on his experiences with the Strathallan Collection.

In 1986 Lancaster KB976 was purchased by aircraft restorer Charles Church, the owner of Popham airfield. In April 1987 the aircraft was sent to BAE Woodford for restoration to airworthiness. Unfortunately it was badly damaged when the hangar roof collapsed on it during a storm later that year, breaking the aircraft's back. Following the tragic death of Charles Church in a Spitfire crash in July 1989 all attempts at salvaging the aircraft were abandoned. Dick once told me that in different circumstances we would now have an airworthy Lancaster based at Popham as arrangements had been made to lengthen the runway to accommodate it.

The remains of KB976 were eventually sold to Kermit Weeks in Florida & parts of it are on display at various locations around the World. I found this interesting article about KB976 including photos of a much younger Dick Richardson. http://www.timefadesaway.co.uk/strathallan/kb976/kb_976_intro.html