BBMF Lanc Engine Fire
We've seen a lot of information here about the damage to the engine bearers and wing repairs etc, but any news on what actually caused the fire in the first place?
I can certainly commend the crew for getting her back on the ground in double quick time, and know just how heart stopping such an occurrence can be. Two Shackletons were lost due to engine fires which didn't go out immediately - both due to the engine mounting burning through and the engine falling off or wing failing. The scuttlebut was that it would take about 90 secs for the magnesium alloy mainspars to burn through in the event of a major engine fire, and I assume that Thumper's mainspar is the same. I was lucky - one engine fire that went out with the extinguisher and two false indications (but only realised once on the ground).
My thoughts also go to the groundcrew, who have looked after this (and the other BBMF) aircraft so well, when they saw the damage, and realised the task ahead of them.
I can certainly commend the crew for getting her back on the ground in double quick time, and know just how heart stopping such an occurrence can be. Two Shackletons were lost due to engine fires which didn't go out immediately - both due to the engine mounting burning through and the engine falling off or wing failing. The scuttlebut was that it would take about 90 secs for the magnesium alloy mainspars to burn through in the event of a major engine fire, and I assume that Thumper's mainspar is the same. I was lucky - one engine fire that went out with the extinguisher and two false indications (but only realised once on the ground).
My thoughts also go to the groundcrew, who have looked after this (and the other BBMF) aircraft so well, when they saw the damage, and realised the task ahead of them.
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I was lucky - one engine fire that went out with the extinguisher and two
false indications (but only realised once on the ground).
false indications (but only realised once on the ground).
I had a similar experience as ground crew on a 37 Sqn. Mk2 returning to K´sar from Majunga in 1966. The fire was extinguished successfully but the damage caused prevented the prop from being feathered. We eventually landed safely at Embakasi, Nairobi.
My grateful thanks to the captain, Flt. Lt. Nick Nicholls and his crew for that.
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FFS ground it forever.
Yep ground the beast forever. If you want to see one flying watch a video. Sorry but yet again another vintage plane ride ends in disaster (or near disaster). When will the authorities grow balls, say no, dig in and stop this nonsense?
Lancaster's were and are dangerous death traps, built solely for war, in a time of war.
In a time long ago.
Please cease flying and put it in a museum-nothing lasts forever, especially luck.
Lancaster's were and are dangerous death traps, built solely for war, in a time of war.
In a time long ago.
Please cease flying and put it in a museum-nothing lasts forever, especially luck.
HS It's not going to be much of an airborne memorial if it's in a museum now is it? Once FAA and now Daily Mail? Lancasters are not dangerous deathtraps and I would happily fly in one again.
PA.474 has an enviable safety record.
Please fix her up and get her flying again soon.
PA.474 has an enviable safety record.
Please fix her up and get her flying again soon.
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We've seen a lot of information here about the damage to the engine bearers and wing repairs etc, but any news on what actually caused the fire in the first place?
I can certainly commend the crew for getting her back on the ground in double quick time, and know just how heart stopping such an occurrence can be. Two Shackletons were lost due to engine fires which didn't go out immediately - both due to the engine mounting burning through and the engine falling off or wing failing. The scuttlebut was that it would take about 90 secs for the magnesium alloy mainspars to burn through in the event of a major engine fire, and I assume that Thumper's mainspar is the same.
I can certainly commend the crew for getting her back on the ground in double quick time, and know just how heart stopping such an occurrence can be. Two Shackletons were lost due to engine fires which didn't go out immediately - both due to the engine mounting burning through and the engine falling off or wing failing. The scuttlebut was that it would take about 90 secs for the magnesium alloy mainspars to burn through in the event of a major engine fire, and I assume that Thumper's mainspar is the same.
We're anxiously waiting for the results of what caused the fire as with the similarities between our aircraft and BBMF's we don't want to fall victim to a fire that could be avoided.
Please cease flying and put it in a museum-nothing lasts forever, especially luck. - HS
Oh dear, HS....you'll upset our friends in light blue with comments like that.
There's probably a greater likelihood of you, with your jaundiced views on so many aspects of Service life, ending up in the FAA Museum before PA474 ends up in the RAF Museum!
Jack
PS Just to cheer you up, I do agree with you about luck
Oh dear, HS....you'll upset our friends in light blue with comments like that.
There's probably a greater likelihood of you, with your jaundiced views on so many aspects of Service life, ending up in the FAA Museum before PA474 ends up in the RAF Museum!Jack
PS Just to cheer you up, I do agree with you about luck
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Regarding Lancaster Main Spars, I attach an extract from AP 2062B, Vol 1, Sect 7, Ch 2:
I'm now curious about when the almost identical Lincoln spars were changed to Mag Alloy ones in Shackletons.
I'm now curious about when the almost identical Lincoln spars were changed to Mag Alloy ones in Shackletons.
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just had an unbelivable reply from the RIAT orginzers about the Lancs attendence this year.
Either they work miracles or are unable to pick up a phone to check. alot of ppl dont follow these pages etc
Thank you for your email.
As we have not had official confirmation that the Lancaster will not be in attendance at the Air Tattoo it will remain on our attendance list.
Kind Regards
Sarah Turner
Marketing Executive
ROYAL AIR FORCE Charitable Trust Enterprises
Home of the Royal International Air Tattoo
www.airtattoo.com
As we have not had official confirmation that the Lancaster will not be in attendance at the Air Tattoo it will remain on our attendance list.
Kind Regards
Sarah Turner
Marketing Executive
ROYAL AIR FORCE Charitable Trust Enterprises
Home of the Royal International Air Tattoo
www.airtattoo.com
In fairness to the organisers you wouldn't want them to guess whether or not participants are going to attend. it's up to BBMF to say if they're not going to be there.
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CM,
I agree. If the BBMF haven't formally cancelled their slot, then they are still on the ORBAT. Surely the onus is on the BBMF to declare early and avoid disappointment?
I agree. If the BBMF haven't formally cancelled their slot, then they are still on the ORBAT. Surely the onus is on the BBMF to declare early and avoid disappointment?
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Well yes it's up to BBMF to point out to those organising doo's if they can attend or not.
However one can hear the sound of umbrellas going up in anticipation of a no show...
However one can hear the sound of umbrellas going up in anticipation of a no show...
Late June 2015 press release:
Lancaster bomber
Warrant Officer Kevin Ball, from the BBMF, said: "The problems for us are really in the support structure - a lot of the cowlings were damaged - so it's getting those repaired."
He said: "It's not so much the engine itself - it's the surrounding structure, electrical looms and so on."
Last year, the only other flying Lancaster, which is based in Canada, visited the UK. It also suffered technical problems and had to be loaned a spare engine by the BBMF.
This engine will now be fitted to the Lancaster once other parts have been replaced. WO Ball added: "We are looking to possibly air test during the last week of August, first week of September. "If it all comes together maybe we will see her flying before the end of the season."
Warrant Officer Kevin Ball, from the BBMF, said: "The problems for us are really in the support structure - a lot of the cowlings were damaged - so it's getting those repaired."
He said: "It's not so much the engine itself - it's the surrounding structure, electrical looms and so on."
Last year, the only other flying Lancaster, which is based in Canada, visited the UK. It also suffered technical problems and had to be loaned a spare engine by the BBMF.
This engine will now be fitted to the Lancaster once other parts have been replaced. WO Ball added: "We are looking to possibly air test during the last week of August, first week of September. "If it all comes together maybe we will see her flying before the end of the season."
In the recent 'Memorial Flight' magazine Kevin Ball expresses relief that the fire occurred over Lincolnshire and not the previous weekend over the North Sea....
mmitch.
mmitch.
Lancaster Airworthiness
Hangarshuffle
Lancaster's were and are dangerous death traps, built solely for war, ....
Surely all military aircraft are built for war?
Lancaster's were and are dangerous death traps, built solely for war, ....
Surely all military aircraft are built for war?
According to research done during the war, although Halifax losses were greater than the Lancaster, per sorties flown for a given period. The Lancaster had a greater tendency to break up in mid air than the better built Halifax. In 68% of cases of Lancasters being shot down, there were no survivors! Survival rates for the Halifax were 29.4% and only 10.9% for the Lancaster. This was also attributed to the Lancaster being a more confined aircraft and having somewhat smaller escape hatches.