Yes, I'm so happy, 2014!

[johnralphcarpenter]

Ralph and John: Found this on twitter- great photo..... no word of where it was taken or by whom.
(Attachment Link)

That's the two Lancs and the last remaining Vulcan bomber who flew together over Lincolnshire on 22nd August.

[fermi de Sousa]

I was really expecting the BD or someone to post that they were happy that "The Doctor" is now Scottish
cheers
fermi

[johnralphcarpenter]

Malcolm Tucker certainly gets around!

[Matt T]

For as many years as I can remember, more than 30 anyway, there has been a Vulcan bomber sat at the airport in my home town, Southend (now "London Southend Airport"!) There are always suggestions that someone will restore and get it flying again. Sadly it has not yet, and may never happen. The Lancaster was one of my favourite 'planes as a kid, when my life ambition was to be a pilot.  Amazing pieces of engineering.

[Maggi Young]

I was really expecting the BD or someone to post that they were happy that "The Doctor" is now Scottish
cheers
fermi

I think he's still to busy laughing at the Dr saying  - "Oh, I'm Scottish, I can complain now" to be able to comment meantime. We both really enjoyed the new episode- laughed a lot.

[Maggi Young]

The Lancaster was one of my favourite 'planes as a kid, when my life ambition was to be a pilot.  Amazing pieces of engineering.

It still IS my ambition to be a pilot -  when I grow up. Ian says I'm cutting it a bit fine now, especially since I've never even taken a driving test......... 

[Matt T]

It still IS my ambition to be a pilot -  when I grow up. Ian says I'm cutting it a bit fine now, especially since I've never even taken a driving test......... 

We must never let go of our dreams, Maggie! 

[ranunculus]

… and you do drive the forum quite convincingly, sweetheart!!   

[Maggi Young]

… and you do drive the forum quite convincingly, sweetheart!!   

Well, yes, it has been said that my capacity to drive folk round the bend is nearly unrivaled.....       

[TC]

The two Lancasters will be starring at the Airshow at Prestwick on the 7 September.

Here are a few pictures from the Battle of Britain Flight taken at least 30 years ago.

The Lancaster had just landed at Mildenhall and I was in the "privileged " photographic area on the runway side opposite the public enclosure.  It's starboard landing wheel brakes seized and it came off the runway directly towards me.  I took the picture on the run looking sideways.  It almost hit it's wing on the grass which would have created a fireball.  I am sure I must have at least equaled the UK 100 meters record in my haste to get away !   Happily it stopped without any damage except to my peace of mind.

The Spitfire and Hurricane were taken at roughly the same year.

[johnw]

Tom  - Close call there.  Jens Birck found this one when he was here a few years ago.  The shot was taken at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia.  Note the wheels, a perfect training plane for Mrs. Young. 

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Hang on a minute - those wheels are fixed to the ground ............ oh,  ye of little faith 

[johnralphcarpenter]

Perhaps this is a good time to post some photographs taken in May last year while we were in Canada. As mentioned above, one of the two Lancasters currently touring the UK belongs to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. My wife's parents are Friends of the Museum and know some of the Lancaster crew. Knowing my family connection - my father was a navigator in Lancasters - they arranged a visit to the Museum on a day when the Lanc was flying, and after it returned I was allowed a privileged visit on board to see my father's former workplace, albeit in a different aircraft. Lots of pictures were taken by me and my father-in-law!

[johnralphcarpenter]

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[johnralphcarpenter]

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