One man and his aeroplane...

[Tony C]

Visited East Kirby and for those interested, I have uploaded a selection of photographs of Lancaster NX611.

Album 2 includes photographs from around the airfield including the Hampden and Wellington wing! Whilst in the area, I also visited the BBMF at RAF Coningsby and a few photographs have also been uploaded into a separate Album.

I must say that both the Musuem and Flight are excellent value for your money with the combined cost being less than the entry fee into Duxford. This isn't a dig at IWM Duxford as I have no problems paying but just a recommendation for both East Kirkby and Coningsby and if you haven't yet been, make this the year that you do go, neither will disappoint!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed standing right next to 4 Merlins running

Follow the link below to go to my Webshots site

[Cees Broere]

Hi Tony,

Thanks again for the great pics, you seem to gather a large amount of Britains finest museums on film.
Any particular intrest in that four engined black aircraft you took so many photo's of?

Nice to see the Wellington wings from the Breamar Wellington as well, I wish they would do something about them (remember the cockpitsection at Brooklands). Also the Hampden looks nice, I hope to go to East Kirky in the near future.

Cheers

Cees

[Tony C]

Hi Cees,
Thanks for the kind words, its always appreciated!

Any particular intrest in that four engined black aircraft you took so many photo's of?

I have no idea what you're on about, I simply went for the fresh air

Nice to see the Wellington wings from the Breamar Wellington as well, I wish they would do something about them (remember the cockpitsection at Brooklands).

I've never been to Brooklands but plan to change this in August! As for the Wellie wings, these are in remarkably good condition and are complete with the fuel tanks, which again seem to be a good condition. Also, as you will see from the internal shot of the engine nacelle, this is also remarkably corrosion free and both together, could possibly make the basis of a restoration albeit without any fuselage sections which in the absense of any donor sections, would need to be manufactured but...

I know that returning NX611 to the air has been discussed on many occasions and I understand the Pantons dilema should the unfortunate happen to '611 but if a decision were ever taken to restore L7775 to taxiable condition (yes, I know that it would take an awful lot of money, time and the will to complete) the restoration would provide the musuem with a flying exhibit and also a Museum based bomber which could also act as the onsite Memorial, while '611 were away!

Any legs to this thought...

Also the Hampden looks nice, I hope to go to East Kirky in the near future.

I'm not too sure but has the restoration work restarted on Hampden, as it appeared that certain areas of the cockpit section, may have been primered and I'm not too sure, if this was the case, on my last visit?

Cees, are you planning on visiting Cockpitfest this year? If so, it maybe be possible to visit East Kirkby during your stay?

[Mike]

When I visited East Kirkby in April, the Hampden cockpit section was being actively worked on

[Juke]

Tony C,

Thanks for sharing your excellent pictures.


rgds,

Juke