Avro Lancastrian Tales
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Just beware. There are two books on the river site. Star Dust Falling is the one you want. Stardust Falling is different, the story of a B17 pilot and his escape through occupied Europe. Good I'm sure, but not the book you want.
Thanks for thanks.
I couldn't remember the morse, so used the translator, and linked to it - others might need it too.
I have wondered about the STANDEC too, maybe turbulence caused him to send nonsense.
I couldn't remember the morse, so used the translator, and linked to it - others might need it too.
I have wondered about the STANDEC too, maybe turbulence caused him to send nonsense.
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Practically the same as the bomber except for the pointy nose and tail cone, side windows,
and I think the galley was between the 2 spars cannot remember where the Radio op went [I may be getting mixed up with the Halton ] and on the ones I worked on had the seats facing the centre of the cabin aisle which ran the whole length of the right hand side and carried about 12 people ,
The down side of maintenance were the 2 spars, real shin bashers they were unlike the aircrew we didn't have flying boots or suits for protection a twin wire electrical system but I was a 16/17 year old apprentice/improver with B.O.A.C in 1947/48. and the Queen of the sky's was the 049 Connie .
if I'm shot down in flames over memory please forgive age is galloping past.
and I think the galley was between the 2 spars cannot remember where the Radio op went [I may be getting mixed up with the Halton ] and on the ones I worked on had the seats facing the centre of the cabin aisle which ran the whole length of the right hand side and carried about 12 people ,
The down side of maintenance were the 2 spars, real shin bashers they were unlike the aircrew we didn't have flying boots or suits for protection a twin wire electrical system but I was a 16/17 year old apprentice/improver with B.O.A.C in 1947/48. and the Queen of the sky's was the 049 Connie .
if I'm shot down in flames over memory please forgive age is galloping past.
Last edited by avionic type; 16th Aug 2016 at 19:21. Reason: word missing
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Avro Lancastrian Memories
Hello Avionic Type,
Thanks for that. I believe the earliest Lancastrians had nine sideways (starboard)-facing seats and three bunk beds above. The nine seats also acted as three floor level beds.
Later airframes had more seats and traditional side-by-side layouts.
The galley area on the nine-seater aircraft was sandwiched between the rear spar and the front of the passenger cabin.
Do you have any other memories about working on the Lancastrian?
Ed
Thanks for that. I believe the earliest Lancastrians had nine sideways (starboard)-facing seats and three bunk beds above. The nine seats also acted as three floor level beds.
Later airframes had more seats and traditional side-by-side layouts.
The galley area on the nine-seater aircraft was sandwiched between the rear spar and the front of the passenger cabin.
Do you have any other memories about working on the Lancastrian?
Ed
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Hello all. Can't believe I am posting on something so obscure, but am half way through the Star Dust Falling book and have to admit it's a good read.
Interestingly, the W/op sent the STENDEC message 3 times - after the 1st time the control tower asked him to repeat it, obviously confused - and he did, 2 more times. Doesn't sound like a mistake, does it?
There is also mention of a previous BSAA Lancastrian flight where one of the passengers had a seizure and the captain asked what her husband was doing. "At the back, smoking", came the answer. What was at the back of the Lancastrian, where the tail gun turret was? Would have made a good observation place, no?
Anyone got any pics of Lancastrian interiors? There were 59 converted in total, BTW.
Interestingly, the W/op sent the STENDEC message 3 times - after the 1st time the control tower asked him to repeat it, obviously confused - and he did, 2 more times. Doesn't sound like a mistake, does it?
There is also mention of a previous BSAA Lancastrian flight where one of the passengers had a seizure and the captain asked what her husband was doing. "At the back, smoking", came the answer. What was at the back of the Lancastrian, where the tail gun turret was? Would have made a good observation place, no?
Anyone got any pics of Lancastrian interiors? There were 59 converted in total, BTW.
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Hello Phoenix,
All the former gun turret positions were faired over so there was no rearward view – just a solid tail cone. In addition, the rear freight hold was located between the tail cone and the rear of the cabin where the toilet was located.
Ed
All the former gun turret positions were faired over so there was no rearward view – just a solid tail cone. In addition, the rear freight hold was located between the tail cone and the rear of the cabin where the toilet was located.
Ed
There were 59 converted in total
Anyone got any pics of Lancastrian interiors?
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If anyone wants to read more about the Lancastrian, see the picture of the cabin, plus these PDFs of a magazine article about a flight in one. Megan kindly provided / put me onto these!
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BBC Horizon Documentary link
Finished reading the book last night. Bl00dy fascinating.
BBC - Horizon, 2000-2001, Vanished: The Plane That Disappeared
Not sure if it works from outside the UK, I tried looking for it on youtube and the only one I could find had been removed due to a copyright claim from the ever-vigilant BBC.
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BBC - Horizon, 2000-2001, Vanished: The Plane That Disappeared
Not sure if it works from outside the UK, I tried looking for it on youtube and the only one I could find had been removed due to a copyright claim from the ever-vigilant BBC.
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The pictures of the Flaps etc. shows the dreaded Janitrol Cabin Heater it ran if my memory is correct ran on neat 100 octane fuel straight from the wing tank which was ignited by a spark/glow plug and ran like an over blown blow lamp which heated up a canister and cold air passed around it and was hopefully heated up and blown into the cabin, the exhaust went over the side at the external end of heater leaving an ugly sooty stain down the side of the a/c,{[where was health and safety then? they were lethal,unreliable at not very effective same for the loading steps at the nose. the last aircraft I worked on having a similar system was the Airspeed Ambassador but that was for the Anti Icing of the leading edges of the wings and tail plane only. The External supply socket was I think up in the starboard wheel well and you had to stand on top the wheel to connect and disconnect the heavy trollyac lead, just the job on a icy cold morning you tended to comedown faster than you went up.
sorry its not a lancastrian
i worked as a contractor for dan air at lasham in the mid seventies there was a york there then, anyone know what happened to it sorry for thread drift
gs
gs
BSAA Lancastrian Flight Deck 1947
From my dad's old photos. Not sure about the seat the stewardess is sitting in?
From my dad's old photos. Not sure about the seat the stewardess is sitting in?
Last edited by Mike6567; 22nd Aug 2016 at 21:11. Reason: addition
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Thank you Phoenix.
I remember that I watched the programme when it was first released but I had forgotten much of the detail. Given that about 15 years have passed since the Star Dust remains were found, does anyone know if the mountain has given up any further parts of wreckage? (Perhaps the location is so remote that nobody has revisited the site since?)
avionic type - thanks for the note about the Janitrol cabin heater. Do you know if this the same piece of equipment that was put forward as a possible cause of the two subsequent BSAA Tudor losses..or was that a different type of heater?
Regards,
Ed
I remember that I watched the programme when it was first released but I had forgotten much of the detail. Given that about 15 years have passed since the Star Dust remains were found, does anyone know if the mountain has given up any further parts of wreckage? (Perhaps the location is so remote that nobody has revisited the site since?)
avionic type - thanks for the note about the Janitrol cabin heater. Do you know if this the same piece of equipment that was put forward as a possible cause of the two subsequent BSAA Tudor losses..or was that a different type of heater?
Regards,
Ed
Lancastrian Interior
This is a photo from 1947 - not sure when or where
Other photos in "Both Feet in the Air" by Archie Jackson
and "Fly With the Stars" by Susan Ottaway and Ian Ottaway
Other photos in "Both Feet in the Air" by Archie Jackson
and "Fly With the Stars" by Susan Ottaway and Ian Ottaway