WIX Archives

Re: Lancaster recovery....... See what u can do?

Posted by Steve Young on Fri Oct 12, 2001 08:55:30 AM

In reply top Re: Lancaster recovery....... See what u can do? posted by MM on Fri Oct 12, 2001 05:57:23 AM

Personally, I think R5868 would probably have survived regardless of where she was displayed.

While the attitude towards preservation was extremely negative in the 20 or so years immediately following the war, by the late 1960's there were three Lancasters on prominent public display in the UK; PA474, R5868 and NX611, albeit some in better condition than others.

While the RAF were selecting R5868 for the RAFM, and sanctioning PA474's future flying career, NX611 was languishing at Squires Gate in a rapidly deteriorating condition. Yet when she was put up for auction, there were quite a few interested parties, including her current owners the Panton brothers, whose subsequent restoration of NX611 to taxiing condition is nothing short of miraculous.

The purchaser at the time (the name escapes me) loaned NX611 to Scampton to act as the gate guardian in place of R5868, and apparently she was lovingly cared for and preserved as well as she possibly could have been without being under cover. This has undoubtedly helped save the aircraft, and allowed Fred and Harold Panton to present her as she is today.

The point of my posting is that while the RAF / MOD were slow to realise the importance of preserving these aircraft, a few dedicated individuals - service and civilian - were not. We owe the existence of many current airframes to the far-sightedness of a different, and very unsung, "Few".

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