Having been a silent observer of CBFS for a long time I finally took the plunge and became a registered member
of the forum during the run up to the release of Rick Piper’s HS.748 and Dave Garwood’s twin seat Hawker
Hunters pack.
Having gained so much from this fantastic little forum I felt it only right that I should give something back. So what
follows is a series of photos taken from a resent trip to a museum not far from me, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage
Centre at East Kirkby, to see Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’ perform a taxi run. Undeniably both British and most
definitely a classic. As you’ll see the weather couldn’t have been better.
There’s little here to suggest that it’s anything other that 1943.
The original control tower is immaculately restored both inside and out.
NX611
‘Just Jane’
I’m really pleased with this shot, although when reduced to a forum friendly size it doesn’t show the detail of all the
rivets quite so well.
All four engines running, although it’s difficult to tell from my photos . . . . . I learnt about shutter speed from that!!!
Bomb doors closed.
Rolling!!!
Turning to face the onlookers.
At this point, with the brakes on, the engines were run up to full(?) power in pairs, inboards then outers for around
30 seconds to a minute each. An incredible sight and sound!!!
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better the process was repeated this time at very close quarters!!!! :shock:
Being this close to a Merlin engine being run at full(?) power is an unbelievable experience and one that I don’t think
I’ll ever forget. The noise is simply intoxicating.
Mission Accomplished.
Possibly of interest to many on the forum is the nose section of Canberra PR.7 WH957…….
……which is open to the public. (Perhaps useful for creating a FS panel?)
East Kirkby is also home to airworthy Spitfire MJ627, which occasionally puts on a flying display.
(Something I’m determined to see on a future visit)
East Kirkby truly is an incredible place, which I urge you all to visit. I had a fantastic time and, in between watching
the two taxi runs and having lunch at the ‘NAAFI’, I spent the whole day looking at the abundant array of exhibits
around the site (including the on going restoration of Handley Page Hampden AE435 :shock: ).
Thanks VM for posting them 
