Just Jane’s Big Day (56K Warning)

[AlexP]

Well I’ve had a yet another fantastic day at East Kirkby but this one was something special. As has been highlight elsewhere on this forum, today was Just Jane’s first tail-up or high-speed taxi performance in front of the public, and what a show she put on!!!

NX611 - Just Jane


The first (slow) taxi run of the day


Positioning at the far end of the new grass strip.


The moment we’d all been waiting for!!!


Taxing back ready for the second run




Taxing back after completing the second run


Positioning for the Cameras after the second run.





More photo opportunities . . . how close!?!?!


The crew. (Receiving a well deserved round of applause!)


Mission accomplished.


Job well done.


Although I took numerous photos I’m sorry to say I only have the one of Jane with her tail up, as I really wanted to see the event with my own eyes rather than thought a viewfinder.

Sadly despite the suggestion by East Kirkby’s web site, PA474 was a no show. This didn’t really detract from the day though as Just Jane rightly deserved the lime light to herself for her first public performance. Also, I’m sure there will be the possibility of witnessing two of Avro’s and eight of Roll Royce’s finessed together at some point in the future.

The potential East Kirkby now has with its new grass airstrip is really exciting. I’d love to see them host something akin to Old Wardens airshows with a mix of visiting warbirds and rare light aircraft/general aviation types. Of course they already have their own resident twin seat Spitfire MJ627.

Sadly the Spitfire was also a no show today having suffer ‘technical problems’. However all was not lost as a last minute stand in was arranged in the form of a locally based Taylor Titch. It gave quite a spirited display, which appeared to fit neatly both below the low cloud base and within the airfield boundary.

All in all a great day out. If you haven't already been the see Just Jane and The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre I can thoroughly recommend it!!!

AlexP

[delticbob]

More Just Jane pix.

I too befell heads in frame & only got one tail up photo.

I heard the problem with the Spitfire had to do with the Magnitos.

Still a very nice day out

Here are some of my efforts.

The full set can be seen at http://robertpeach.fotopic.net/c1084909.html

Bob

[Paul K]

I keep thinking " Go on, just ease that wheel back an inch. Just an inch...just for a few seconds...." I know it would be naughty, but wouldn't it be wonderful to have three airworthy Lancasters in the world, if only for a few moments. :dance:

Excellent pics, chaps.

[Nigel H-J]

Alex, Bob,

Wonderful photographs many thanks for posting.

Now only wish I had been there to see and hear it!!

But there is always next year!! :dance:

[VEGAS]

Is she ever going to fly again? Surely the work going into her so far is a massive milestone.

Just seems a shame. Getting so close to airworthyness.

Please forgive my ignorance as I obviously know nothing about getting classic aircraft airworthy again! :k:

[DaveB]

You'll probably find Eddie that the difference between being able to fast taxi and to fly are very different things both in terms of insurance and how the CAA operate/view such things. A few more mph extra and just a little tug on the stick and being in deep water doesn't come into it!!! :shock: :-$

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[VEGAS]

You'll probably find Eddie that the difference between being able to fast taxi and to fly are very different things both in terms of insurance and how the CAA operate/view such things. A few more mph extra and just a little tug on the stick and being in deep water doesn't come into it!!! :shock: :-$

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Hi Dave,

I see your points. I was just wondering whether because so much has gone into getting the Aircraft to its current state, whether actually just pushing the whole project a little further incurs further implications.

Obviously insurance is the biggest one.

I often wonder with Taxiable but not Flyable Aircraft. Kind of like going so far as to make a beautiful house and then not putting a roof on it! :think:

[Ed Walters]

Well, essentially the issue is that to fast taxi, it's self regulated. You can do it without the aircraft having to have any certification.

To fly, the aircraft would have to be completely pulled apart and inspected, lots of ultrasonic structural testing, presumably quite a few skins and other components would need to be replaced.

[VEGAS]

Well, essentially the issue is that to fast taxi, it's self regulated. You can do it without the aircraft having to have any certification.

To fly, the aircraft would have to be completely pulled apart and inspected, lots of ultrasonic structural testing, presumably quite a few skins and other components would need to be replaced.

I see.. :sad:

[Ed Walters]

Yep, it's unfortunately the case. This aircraft spent quite a significant time outside - from the late 60s in Blackpool to 1985 at Scampton. So nigh on 20 years in the open. Even with maintenance, any aircraft will suffer over that time as water tends to get into places that can't be accessed. The Vulcan at Blackpool spent that amount of time outside and had to be scrapped.

They've done a fantastic job with NX611, and where else can you see a Lanc running up at night, but there's not really the incentive to get it flying. The museum would lose its star exhibit for years while under restoration, and do they actually have enough of a runway to fly a Lanc off? Given that Sally B has difficulty getting enough income through airshow bookings, and there's already a Lanc that can be had at airshows relatively cheaply, it doesn't really make sense.