The idea of a goodwill tour of the U.S. seems to have been born in February 1946 at discussions with General Ira Eaker, who had organised and commanded the US Eighth Air Force. Group Captain Richard Collard was put in charge of the operation which would involve sixteen Lancasters of 35 Squadron plus an Avro York.
The C in C of Bomber Command, Air Marshall Sir Norman Bottomley, visited the squadron at Gravely on the 3rd of July and carried out an inspection at which the air and ground crew were presented in front of their aircraft. The aircrew wore the new tropical lightweight flying suit whilst the groundcrew paraded in new white overalls.
3rd July 1946. Squadron inspection by AO C in C Bomber Command.
3rd July 1946. G/C Collard, Station Commander; S/L Beetham, OC A Flight; W/C Craig, OC Squadron; S/L Harris, OC B Flight.
3rd July 1946. W/C Craig, Air Marshall Sir N Bottomley, G/C Collard, S/L Beetham, S/L Harris.
3rd July 1946. Avro York.
6th July 1946. Marshall of the RAF, Lord Tedder visits Gravely. Is that Tedder on the right? Dakota is C in C Bottomley's aircraft.