Just Jane to Fly Again in Two Years
 

BBC Radio Lincolnshire this morning ran an interview with Just Jane's owners, Harold and Fred Panton who confirmed their intention to get Just Jane flying again in two years time.

Two Lancasters flying from Lincolnshire - wonderful for Bomber County.

Really excellent news - there was some talk a little while back about four Merlins being prepared for a multi-engined project in Britain and speculation that Just Jane might be the aeroplane in question!

It probably was. Harold said today that they had received one replacement engine and expected another this week.

I wish them well with this ambitious project - when it first flies there will be many witnesses with tears in their eyes.

What a tribute to their brother.

'Aeroplane' did an article on Maurice Hammond a couple of months ago. Hammond, who owns two P.51s, is also an engine builder, and let slip that four Merlins were being delivered for a four engined bomber project. Just Jane was, of course, the only candidate. Great news.

Sorry, I though it was a couple from Glos which won £56m on the Euromillions last weekend.

I think this is all fanciful thinking. Who is going to underwrite the design of the Lancaster so that the CAA will be prepared to consider it for the grant of a Permit to Fly? I bet BAE Systems will not be prepared to do so and we know that the Vulcan had to get Marshalls to take on that role otherwise it would never have flown again. How many millions has the Vulcan consumed and how many millions will NX611 require before it can be demonstrated to the CAA that it is airworthy?

Unless a money is no object sugar daddy has been found, reality suggests that this is a non-starter.

It's a far les complex aircraft than the Vulcan so won't require the same level of support. After all the CAA are happy for Sally B to have a permit.

There is no way the owners would have got to the stage of buying Merlins without checking this.

The BBMF have operated PA474 for more than 40 years without a significant incident or problem that I can recall, although I think she was re-sparred a few years ago.

Just Jane flew back from Down Under as G-ASXX in the 1960s and did a few airshows as such; also Strathallan's Lanc flew across the pond as G-BCOH in the 1970s - she was badly damaged in the hangar roof collapse at Woodford during airworthy restoration to fly in the 1980s for Charles Church. Doug Arnold also registered G-LANC for rebuild to fly, although she is now a static exhibit at Duxford. So it's not without precedent and wouldn't the earlier operations confer some sort of Grandfather rights on the type?

Provided the Pantons can tick the CAA's engineering boxes and are happy to finance it, then why not?

JEM60, that was it! Speculation was probably on Flypast site (before I even read the article).

I wonder if they got a healthy donation from Peter Jackson regarding the new Dambusters movie? He is something of a historic aviation supporter and did visit a few times, apparently.

DOP.
Highly likely that Peter Jackson is involved. I understand that he was wanting to buy Just Jane, for the filming, but the Panton's wanted to retain ownership for their obvious reasons, so I assume a deal has been struck whereby they keep the aircraft, and he finances the restoration. Speculation, but the money won't be from the Pantons. Contrary to a previous poster, this IS a very realistic restoration to fly in, my opinion, and many others.

As Treadigraph said:

Provided the Pantons can tick the CAA's engineering boxes and are happy to finance it, then why not?


Exactly what I mean. And fundamental to ticking the CAA's boxes is the provision of type design support, which BAE Systems will not do. Perhaps Marshalls will be as keen to take on design support for the Lancaster as they were for the Vulcan.

Whilst not wanting to wish my life away, I will be most interested to see what 2012 brings.

Mandator. Who is providing type support for Sally B or all the civillian registered Spitfires & Hurricanes? Oh & don't forget there is already the precedent of a civillian registered Lancaster flying in Canada.

The Pantons were reported as doing a feasability study a couple of years ago. My betting is that the CAA have already given tentative support.

As I understand it the level of type design support varies depending on the complexities of the design in question. From CAP 632:
And from CAP 733:
Although 'continued involvement' is mentioned, the level of support is dependent on the category, and the Lanc will be an 'intermediate' design while the Vulcan is a 'complex' type.

Oh dear, I do seem to have upset the apple cart!

Well, only time will tell if it as straightforward as everyone thinks to get Just Jane into the air within two years. You know my views concerning the issues affecting the CAA and certification.

Interestingly, I live close to EK and by 2012 I will have retired. The instant I hear JJ in the circuit I will scoot over there and be the first to personally congratulate Fred and Harold on achieving their dream.

Good on them, I wish them all the very best of luck in getting Just Jane into the air where she belongs and hope they will enjoy the terrific support that the Sally B and Vulcan do.

I wish them well also. Don't forget this aircraft sat in the open at Blackpool Airport from 26/6/1970 to Aug 1973 with very little care, suffering the effects of sea air and its corrosive effects. I do hope the wing spars are ok ?

The BoB one was re-sparred a few years ago with one(s) from a Shackleplane, perhaps there's a few others lying around in a spares box?:ok:

If and when JJ is flying again wouldn't it be wonderful to get the Canadian one over for a bit. Just imagine a three Lanc flypast!

This is the official statement issued by the Pantons:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/ima...n/post_old.gif 19th February 2010, 15:09
Official Statement from The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre-

It is fair to say that we have been considering making moves to fly Avro Lancaster NX611 for some years now; in fact it has been the ultimate ambition of Fred and Harold to complete their fabulous contribution to aviation history and the memory of Bomber Command.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire Fred has confirmed what, I am sure, many people have been thinking for many years.
It has been our ultimate ambition to be able to restore NX611 to an airworthy condition but also keep her accessible for the general public to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere created by a Lancaster. For us to keep NX611 as a credible 'peoples memorial' to Bomber Command available to many people, no matter their background or financial situation (After all those that flew with Bomber Command came from every imaginable background) we must strike a healthy balance between keeping her in a good condition but also allowing the public to experience her.
As stated by Fred the end goal would be to be able to see NX611 take to the skies once more, but it will by no means be a short road to that end.
We are currently building up a large stores and parts stock ready for the possible 'push' for airworthiness.
The moves we are making- sourcing 4 airworthy engines, acquiring parts from all over the world, undertaking feasibility studies, sourcing AP's and the relevant paperwork - are all working towards enabling us to 'push the button' and let the Lanc feel air under her wheels once more.
There is no funding or involvement from Peter Jackson or the Dambusters film.
As with everything that has been done at the Centre and with the Lancaster the project will be self funded- but if anyone would like to feel that they have helped with keeping NX611 operational you are welcome to make donations.
If we get to the stage that NX611 is airworthy it will undoubtedly be called upon to perform in the air show circuit. There is also great interest and support from BBMF and RAF and I am sure that we will work closely together if NX611 ever goes skyward.

Airworthiness is the ambition and we have now confirmed that, but unfortunately there is much 'ground' work to be done before we make that jump. No move will be made until we are happy that we have built up enough parts and solved all the logistic issues.

Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated. Rest assured that we have the aircrafts best interests first and foremost in our minds. We have not striven for many years to sacrifice our achievements in one fail swoop. NX611 will always remain as a living memorial to Bomber Command; that is the most important duty we perform.

Andrew Panton
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre



LET'S HOPE THIS WILL SERVE TO SQUASH SOME OF THE RUMOURS .

'Dick'

Maybe if all the people that say it would be great to see JJ fly again went to the Lincs Aviation web site and either made a donation or took out a membership it could help their cause. I did just that even though I live in Perth Western Australia - you are never too far away to help.

Taxi to Air?
 

Having been inside a stationary Jane, I wonder if they will offer flights in her?