Warbird Information Exchange

.... Herman Goering ...

Here's one below that flew over "Reich Territory" 137 times and Celebrated her 100th mission on May 12, 1944. Two days from today will be her 75th Anniversary achieving 100 missions. Bravo!!! well done ...





Lancaster B I R5868 "S-Sugar" Built by Metropolitan-Vickers in Manchester as Mk. I. Delivered to 83 Squadron, RAF Scampton, 29 June 1942 as OL-Q "Queen." Transferred to the Australian 467 Squadron September 1943 as PO-S "Sugar." Completed 137 combat sorties and then participated in food supply and POW repatriation (Operation Exodus). Marked as "non-effective" but kept in storage as being of particular note due to the number of missions completed. Struck off 16 March 1956 and transferred to Air Historical Branch.[17] Sent to RAF Fulbeck in 1958 for storage. In April 1959 moved to RAF Scampton for display. Painted in 83 Squadron markings in 1960. Remained Gate Guardian at Scampton until allotted to RAF Museum in August 1970. Following restoration moved to Hendon in March 1972 and repainted with 467 markings. Moved to new Bomber Command Museum hall at Hendon in August 1982.

Lancaster B I R5868 "S-Sugar" is the oldest surviving Lancaster. This aircraft was the first RAF heavy bomber to complete 100 operations (going on to fly 137 sorties). It is on display at the RAF Museum, Hendon in 467 Sqn markings. Although surplus to requirements, the decision to preserve it was made in June 1945, due to the exceptional number of operations it had flown, and it was transferred to the RAF's Air Historical Branch; it was moved to the RAF Museum in 1972.

It was delivered to the RAF in June 1942 and flew for the remainder of the war. It was originally coded as "Q-Queenie" with No. 83 Squadron RAF from RAF Scampton and then as "S-Sugar" with No. 463 and No. 467 RAAF Squadrons from RAF Waddington. Its final operations were in May 1945, when it was used to ferry liberated Allied prisoners of war back to the United Kingdom.


Celebrating the 100th mission for 'S' Sugar, a Lancaster of No.467 Squadron RAAF... May 12, 1944.






























Avro Lancaster R5868 at Ridgewell on tour to different UK bases.


Out to pasture


Under cover and under care at the RAF Museum.






Below are a few photos of what incredibly brave RAF bomber crews faced on night missions.


A Lanc goes down over "Reich Territory"


Caption states: "Lanc pilot is trying everything to escape and he just lost the fight"


Caption states: "The bombers are in the thick of it now"


Caption states: "The sky over Doberitz - Berlin in the distance to the right in the photo"


Caption states: "Watching for the markers to go down, so they can get off the bullseye. It's no wonder 'creepback' was a problem"
(Anyone know what this means?)

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[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

"(Anyone know what this means?)"

Creep back meant crews would release their bombs too early under the stress of the bomb run.

And so important to state that this aircraft survives in a very original state. One of the most historic and important survivors of WWII.

Great stuff Mark, thanks

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I visited the RAF Museum last year, and found it much improved over previous visits, but it was in the final stages of a remodeling so some exhibits were missing, others temporarily moved and lacked signage.
Yes, the Lancaster is a highpoint, an impressive ship. The US-marked B-17 was nearby as was a RAF marked B-24 (ex-Indian Air Force, the same source as Witchcraft and the Pima example...the Bungay Buckaroo.

BTW. At a large snack bar in the middle of the display area you can enjoy a lunch (including beer for those so inclined...I believe it was Spitfire Ale...I celebrated by having a non-diet Coke) while just a few feet away stood a Spitfire.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Mark, a fine collage of pictures of this famous RAAF Lanc.

Try and find similar on RAAF 460 Sqn Lanc W4783 "G for George" that is preserved in Australia at the Australian War Memorial. George flew 89 missions.