This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-19752059
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lancaster Bomber Disney Dambusters tribute unveiled | Lancaster Bomber Disney Dambusters tribute unveiled |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A Lancaster Bomber based at a Lincolnshire RAF base has been repainted with a Disney logo in tribute to the Dambusters squadron. | A Lancaster Bomber based at a Lincolnshire RAF base has been repainted with a Disney logo in tribute to the Dambusters squadron. |
| The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight plane's new identity is that of an aircraft sent as a replacement after the famous raids. | The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight plane's new identity is that of an aircraft sent as a replacement after the famous raids. |
| Thumper from the 1942 film Bambi has been painted on the plane's nose. | Thumper from the 1942 film Bambi has been painted on the plane's nose. |
| Lincolnshire was previously home to 617 Squadron, who targeted dams surrounding Ruhr Valley in 1943. | Lincolnshire was previously home to 617 Squadron, who targeted dams surrounding Ruhr Valley in 1943. |
| The aircraft, used for public displays around the country, will now be known as Lancaster B1 DV385, Thumper Mk III. | The aircraft, used for public displays around the country, will now be known as Lancaster B1 DV385, Thumper Mk III. |
| The original Thumper Mk III carried the logo of the animated rabbit. The plane was scrapped at the end of World War II. | |
| Many Lancaster Bombers during the war featured scenes from popular culture as nose art, including pin-ups and cartoon characters. | |
| Veterans from 617 squadron gathered at an aircraft hanger at RAF Coningsby to see the repainted plane's unveiling. | Veterans from 617 squadron gathered at an aircraft hanger at RAF Coningsby to see the repainted plane's unveiling. |
| John Bell, a bomb aimer in the original Thumper Mk III, said: "It is an honour to be here with the team and so many old and new friends. | John Bell, a bomb aimer in the original Thumper Mk III, said: "It is an honour to be here with the team and so many old and new friends. |
| "This aircraft depicts the one I flew 27 of my 29 operational flights on. | "This aircraft depicts the one I flew 27 of my 29 operational flights on. |
| "Fortunately we were never hit, we lived a charmed life in that respect". | "Fortunately we were never hit, we lived a charmed life in that respect". |
| The aircraft was repainted in preparation for the 70th anniversary of the dam raids in 2013. | The aircraft was repainted in preparation for the 70th anniversary of the dam raids in 2013. |