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-28756779
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Historic Lancasters' tandem flight takes place in Lincolnshire | Historic Lancasters' tandem flight takes place in Lincolnshire |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two World War Two Lancasters have flown together for the first time in 50 years. | Two World War Two Lancasters have flown together for the first time in 50 years. |
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's aircraft was joined by the only other airworthy example, which had crossed the Atlantic to Lincolnshire. | |
The pair was due to pass over Lincoln cathedral last Friday but the flight was postponed due to bad weather. | The pair was due to pass over Lincoln cathedral last Friday but the flight was postponed due to bad weather. |
A series of practice flights near RAF Coningsby will now be performed ahead of a month of events across the UK. | A series of practice flights near RAF Coningsby will now be performed ahead of a month of events across the UK. |
Following a day of maintenance checks after its 3,700-mile journey, the Canadian Lancaster, known as Vera, took off alone on Tuesday evening. | Following a day of maintenance checks after its 3,700-mile journey, the Canadian Lancaster, known as Vera, took off alone on Tuesday evening. |
Once this flight was completed successfully, clearance was given for both to fly together. | |
The Lancaster bomber | The Lancaster bomber |
Large crowds gathered outside the airbase for the double take-off, which took place just after 13:00 BST. | Large crowds gathered outside the airbase for the double take-off, which took place just after 13:00 BST. |
The first aircraft to take to the skies was one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfires, it was then joined first by the British Lancaster, and finally Vera. | |
They were in the air for just under an hour but will fly a number of further training sessions. | They were in the air for just under an hour but will fly a number of further training sessions. |
Stuart Reid, former Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot and aviation historian, said: "This will take some getting used to for the pilots. These are big, heavy aircraft and flying together is hard work. | Stuart Reid, former Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot and aviation historian, said: "This will take some getting used to for the pilots. These are big, heavy aircraft and flying together is hard work. |
"The first Lancaster will have a relatively straightforward job but the one behind will have to keep in line, watch the other, handle the buffeting from the slipstream. | "The first Lancaster will have a relatively straightforward job but the one behind will have to keep in line, watch the other, handle the buffeting from the slipstream. |
"Hats off to them, especially in this wind." | "Hats off to them, especially in this wind." |
Stan Instone, who was a Lancaster flight engineer in 419 Squadron, was among the crowd. | |
"The hairs on the back of my neck have stood up - that's what the sound of those Lancasters does to me. | |
"I wouldn't have believed it was possible. There has been talk about getting them together for years and now, it has come true," he said. | |
The first public display is scheduled to be at Eastbourne International Air Show on Thursday. | The first public display is scheduled to be at Eastbourne International Air Show on Thursday. |