Another four engined Avro Bomber to take to the skies . . .

[Hot_Charlie]

Oh i would hazard a guess that those Panton Bros have enought money in the coughers...

I don't think they are short of a bob or two.

[Nigel H-J]

I don't think they are short of a bob or two.

No, neither do I, what-ever the farmers say in the press about being hard up my neighbour knows different for the ones' he knows at the horse races, they are pretty well orft!!............mainly thanks to the EU!

Nigel.

[stafflad1976]

I'd heard a rumour about this a while back. Can't remember where I'd heard it but the rumour was that the film company behind the forthcoming Dambusters remake would be funding getting Just Jane back in the air as well as paying for the Canadian Lanc to be flown over for filming.

[Paul K]

Just out of interest, how easy would it be to configure a standard Lancaster to look like a Dambuster one for a film ?

Apart from taking out and fairing over the upper turret, what's involved in the bomb bay area ? I doubt anything seriously structural is required, just removal of the bomb bay doors and some sloping fairings forward and aft of the bomb. Obviously a lot more was done to the real 617 ones, but for a modern film...wouldn't need to do that much, would they?

Stafflads post has made me wonder. :think:

[TSR2]

I guess they would do it with CGI mate. I can imagine they'd be allowed to make any changes to these airframes.

[stafflad1976]

I guess they would do it with CGI mate. I can imagine they'd be allowed to make any changes to these airframes.

That was going to be my answer as well.

[Paul K]

Yep you are both probably right in that. But if they needed to, what would it involve ? I don't think any structural 'load-bearing' parts of the plane are affected are they ?

[stafflad1976]

Just found this posted today by martin@coningsby over at the ukar forums:

"With the kind permission of Andrew Panton I can now advise the following:

A feasibility study has been carried out on the aircraft. The results show her to be in good condition with around 1600 hours left on the main spar - the spar is still in good condition, with NO cracks or damage.

IF the project goes ahead 'Just Jane' will continue to be housed at East Kirkby and operate from the concrete WWII runway; this needs to be extended from the currently available 3000ft to just over 5000ft, but arrangements are in place for this.

The are plans to provide flight experiences in the aircraft and around 70 hours per year would be flown for air display purposes.

Fred and Harold Panton will make a decision regarding the return to flight in the very near future, and if it is a positive decision the restoration will start later this year with all work ‘in house’ at East Kirkby, however the Merlin engines would be sent away.

Visitors would still be very welcome to the museum site and able to view the progress of the restoration.

More news to follow..."

Link: http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/uk ... 1;t=51110;

[AlexP]

Thanks for that Stafflad, there's also a simmilar statement posted on the Flypast forum:

We have recently had a feasibility study carried out on the aircraft, the results of the study show it to be in good condition with around 1600 hours left on the main spar (which is still in good condition, no cracks or splits or damage like rumours suggest). If we do choose to fly the aircraft it would be operated from East Kirkby and East Kirkby will remain its home. There are possibilities to providing flights in the aircraft and still work under CAA regulations. The decision to fly the aircraft could be made very shortly, if it decided that we will fly Just Jane, restoration would begin this year. All restoration will be ‘in house’ with engines being sent away etc. It would be possible for visitors to come and see the restoration as it is going.

It is still awaiting a decision from Fred and Harold as to the course that they wish to take.

Kind Regards,

Andrew

Lincs Aviation Heritage Centre

Post No.72: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... 410&page=3

If it all goes ahead I’ll definitely be booking a flight. :flying:

Alex

[Garry Russell]

How are they going to provide flights in a Lanc when the regulations prevent a Dak??

Garry