Avro Lancaster 'Just Jane' - Taxi Run 1 - 28th September 2021

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre's Avro Lancaster NX611, 'Just Jane', conducting 'taxi rides' with temporarily 'clipped wings', at her East Kirkby base on 28th September 2021. This was the first 'taxi run' of three that day. The wing tips have been removed as part of the ongoing restoration work for her eventual return to flight. "Just Jane" was built by Austin Motors at Longbridge, in April 1945. Given the serial number NX611, she was one of the first 150 B Mk VII Lancasters for the RAF's Tiger Force in the Far East. Japan's early surrender meant that these aircraft were suddenly surplus and, instead of seeing service, NX611 was stored at Llandow until 1952. In April 1952 she was bought by the French Government. Painted midnight blue, she flew maritime patrol for the French Naval Air Arm. Ten years later, she went to Noumeau, New Caledonia, was painted white and used for air sea rescue and cartography. In 1964, the French presented her to the Historical Aircraft Preservation Society and flew her to Sydney, Australia, where she was overhauled before being flown back to Britain. It took 70 flying hours over nine days to complete the 12,000 mile journey and she landed at Biggin Hill on 13 May, 1965. It was 1967 before NX611 flew again, but even then public appearances were brief because of prohibitive costs. She was flown to Lavenham in Suffolk and in 1972, was put up for auction at 'Squires Gate', Blackpool. Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire, determined to commemorate the death of their brother Chistopher who was killed on the Nuremburg Raid in March 1944, as well as all of the men who served in Bomber Command, Fred and Harold Panton had decided to purchase a Second World War Bomber. Fred and Harold became co-owners of their own farm. When some land came up for sale which included part of the defunct East Kirkby airfield they bought it. Some areas of concrete and a few buildings still stood on the old airfield, in a state of disrepair. They used part of the area to set up a chicken farm. With the idea of owning an exhibition aircraft still foremost in their minds, they also began to renovate the working area of the airfield. That included building a new hangar, where an original T2 hangar had stood during the war years. Learning about the forthcoming auction, via an advertisement, Fred and Harold decided to try and purchase the Lancaster. This aircraft could be the perfect monument to their brother's memory. Sadly, due to the reserve not being reached, she was withdrawn from the auction and later privately sold to the Rt Hon Lord Lilford. Fred and Harold kept in contact with her new owner and eventually, whilst she stood Gate Guardian at RAF Scampton, near Lincoln, and after one or two hiccups in the furtherance of their ambition to own her, a deal was struck with Lord Lilford's agent. In September 1983, NX611 was finally purchased by Fred and Harold and, four years later, after completing an agreed total of ten years gate guardian at RAF Scampton, she was brought to East Kirkby, courtesy of the RAF. It was sixteen years since Fred had seen her at Blackpool auction. The first moves towards restoring one of her four engines were made in 1993. Two ex RAF engineers were brought in to do the job. They began work on No.3 engine. Although it had been idle for 22 years, they were confident they could bring it back to life. Accessing the spare parts was organised, the engine rotated to ensure it would still turn and the cam shaft covers removed. Both had to be replaced, although the engine cylinders were in good working order. Then the propeller was removed, stripped down and examined and - apart from having to adjust the blade settings - everything proved to be in fine order and was rebuilt. Local contractors were brought in to check the wiring and make good where necessary. That alone was a ten-day job. The engine's starter motor, magnetos, fuel booster pump and ignition harness were removed and checked, the fuel tank was pressurised and the fuel jettison system reset. When the throttle controls between the cockpit lever and the engine were uncovered, it was discovered that almost a third of the small control rods had to be replaced. However after about seven hundred man hours and at a cost of £7000 the engine was finally ready. This work was then completed for all four engines and they're now at a fully operational taxiing standard. Work is now progressing to return NX611 to the air - you can read about progress here - https://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/news/... Video and Audio content is Copyright © High Flight This video and audio material may not be reproduced in any form (except as the videos Youtube embedded video option on any other website), without written permission.