The recent Bournemouth Air Festival was due for a visit from the last two remaining airworthy Avro Lancaster bombers in the world, but because of an engine problem on the Canada-based aircraft the display was cancelled. Disappointing at the time, but the Lancaster's successor - the Avro Vulcan - more than made up for it with an extra showing - and I resigned myself not to being able to see these two aircraft fly together.
Until Friday morning of last week, that is, when it was announced on my local BBC online news page that the two Lancasters were arriving that morning at my local airport, and would remain there until Sunday. A real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I packed my longest lens and got on my bike. They were using the airport as a base for the weekend appearances, so I would get at least three opportunities to get some photographs.
Although shooting such large aircraft is relatively easy the weekend was not without its problems, and both aircraft were delayed from leaving on the Saturday afternoon by over four hours because of another engine problem with the Canadian plane, albeit a different one than the one that caused it to be grounded two weeks earlier. As a result I stood at the end of the runway for over eight hours, patiently waiting for their eventual departure. The things we go through to get a shot, eh?
All in all it was a great experience to see such old aircraft still flying together, and something unlikely to ever be repeated, despite the mechanical issues that both had, but the sound of four Rolls Royce Merlin engines roaring low, and directly over your head, is quite unforgettable.
Photos taken on 12th, 13th and 14th September.
Top: Thumper III - the UK-based City of Lincoln Lancaster
Second and third: The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Vera taxing off of the runway
Bottom: Thumper III - airborne, with Vera rotating in the distance, departing for the last time.
300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14E converter. Tripod
© 2014
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