Originally Posted by
Chugalug2
I rather missed the point of the Dowding formation, centred as it was around the Lancaster. I wonder why the BBMF doesn't call it the Harris formation, now why wouldn't they do that?
In reality I suppose it was to put the Hurricane front and centre, being as there is only one of them and to put it at the rear would cause much muttering amongst the natives. It creates a real problem for the Lanc pilot of course, formating on a much smaller aircraft in front of him. I suspect the Lanc is rather more responsive than the Hastings was but even so, well done indeed!
!
Good point about formation flying the Lancaster. Looked stunning but is this wise? Suddenly flying the old gal In formation isn’t going to help her last longer. All that jostling for position must be more punishing than the last few decades have been for her. After all wasn’t the Lancaster designed and built before long before the lessons of metal fatigue we’re learnt with the comet? Or does that just apply to windows?