Airfield height presumably was a factor in the bitterly cold winds which swept the Wolds, as remembered by one who spent four childhood years at Binbrook. But they wouldn't concern me as much as the north-south alignment of Ludford's main runway. Given the prevailing winds from the west, encouraging the aircraft to weathercock to the left, the Lancaster's full power swing to the left on takeoff, and the crosswind component in effect shortening the runway, the loaded aircraft must have been a real handful. No wonder Ron and his crew were worried knowing that N2-Nan was down on performance.