Paul K wrote:The Panton brothers announced this a good while ago, maybe as far back as 2011. They had secured planning permission to extend East Kirkby's runway, and had sourced the first two airworthy Merlins. That was then - whats the latest ?
4th airworthy Merlin acquired, which is what has triggered the news I think.
All the newspapers still referring to a Lancaster as the aircraft their brother was killed in when it was a Halifax, but then most of them think the RAF in WWII only consisted of Spitfires and Lancasters.
Lovely aeroplane that she is, can we afford another airworthy Lancaster?
I think I would prefer it retired and put in a museum so many more can get close to such pieces of history.
Many of these planes were built for war, not safety or reliability. It would be a tragedy if this machine crashed, killing it's display crew. There is no war left for Just Jane to fight. Best we preserve her on the ground.
Also I fear that she could be come another bottomless pit for money to be thrown in, like XH558 that could be best spent elsewhere.
Reggie Mental wrote:Lovely aeroplane that she is, can we afford another airworthy Lancaster?
It would be a tragedy if this machine crashed, killing it's display crew. There is no war left for Just Jane to fight. Best we preserve her on the ground.
Also I fear that she could be come another bottomless pit for money to be thrown in, like XH558 that could be best spent elsewhere.
Well each to their own, but I'd love to see it back in the air, especially alongside PA474. She was afterall built to fly
Don't worry, Reggie. Nobody will make you pay for it if you don't want to. And S-Sugar is always available if you want to get up close to one in a museum.
I agree with Garry, they can be very safe. Think how long the other two Lancasters have been flying. Possibly 10 times beyond their original design life, simply because they're well maintained and flown so far below their limits they they are a lot less stressed. So why do some preserved aircraft crash? Sadly for the same reasons (a variety) that much younger (not military aircraft do).
Kind regards and it's great to have a calm debate
John
Last edited by John on 06 Jan 2013, 21:11, edited 1 time in total.
It's me age!!! I always thought it was the Pantons who loaned her to Scampton, looks like Steve has put the record straight!! 
