Re " the ex-French Navy Lancaster at de Havillands... "
Is this the one currently at the BBMF at RAF Coningsby, serial No PA474 ?
I do remember it sitting at Hawkers for quite some time in its French Navy Livery, having come in from Noumea, and one of my former instructors, Mr Arthur Kell, who flew them during WW2, was invited to go along on the ferry flight back to the UK.
Cheers