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Historic Lancasters tandem flight due in Lincolnshire Historic Lancasters' tandem flight takes place in Lincolnshire
(about 4 hours later)
A delayed first flight by the last two airworthy Lancaster bombers is due to take place later. Two World War Two Lancasters have flown together for the first time in 50 years.
One has flown from Canada to join the aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Lincolnshire. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's aircraft has been joined by the only other airworthy example, which has crossed the Atlantic to Lincolnshire.
A flypast over Lincoln on Friday was cancelled due to bad weather. The pair was due to pass over Lincoln cathedral last Friday but the flight was postponed due to bad weather.
After a day of maintenance checks, the Lancasters are expected to begin practice flights on Wednesday afternoon at RAF Coningsby. A series of practice flights near RAF Coningsby will now be performed ahead of a month of events across the UK.
Gp Capt Johnny Stringer, station commander, said he had "everything crossed" that both planes would fly later. Following a day of maintenance checks after its 3,700 miles journey, the Canadian Lancaster, known as Vera, took off alone on Tuesday evening.
But he said the best place to witness the duo was at one of the 60 air shows, rather than in Lincolnshire where road restrictions have been put in place. Once this was completed successfully, clearance was given for both to fly together.
"Vera [the Canadian Lancaster] went flying for her first couple of sorties out of Coningsby on Tuesday... it was just one of those glorious Lincolnshire evenings, it looked absolutely stunning," he said.
The Lancaster bomberThe Lancaster bomber
He added: "We are doing a short work up to get permission to display both of the Lancasters. Large crowds gathered outside the airbase for the double take off, which took place just after 13:00 BST.
"We will be doing a couple of sorties with some pilot changes to practice the routine." The first aircraft to take off was one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfires, it was then joined first by the British Lancaster, and finally Vera.
The station commander admitted it was disappointing not to have the flypast on Friday but said it was still an emotional day with more than 80 Bomber Command veterans at the base. In anticipation of large numbers of onlookers, a number of roads were closed in the area.
Yvonne Masters, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, said there would be plenty of chances to see the machines in the air. However, Yvonne Masters, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, said there would be plenty of chances to see the machines in the air.
"Really the advice is to have a look on our website, there is a full schedule there with the 60 flypasts that we are doing together for people to see."Really the advice is to have a look on our website, there is a full schedule there with the 60 flypasts that we are doing together for people to see.
"And if people are a bit smart and have a look at those you will be able to work out when we are taking off as two ships together anyway.""And if people are a bit smart and have a look at those you will be able to work out when we are taking off as two ships together anyway."
The first public display is due to be at Eastbourne International Air Show on Thursday. The first public display is scheduled to be at Eastbourne International Air Show on Thursday.