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| Lancasters make public debut at Eastbourne air show | Lancasters make public debut at Eastbourne air show |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Two World War Two Lancaster bombers have flown on the south coast for their first public display as a pair. | |
| The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's aircraft was joined by a Canadian plane, named Vera, which is the only other airworthy example still flying. | |
| Their flight at Eastbourne Airbourne was the first of more than 60 events and flypasts in a month-long series of appearances across the UK. | |
| The air show is taking place two weeks after fire engulfed Eastbourne pier. | The air show is taking place two weeks after fire engulfed Eastbourne pier. |
| Only a metal skeleton remains of the amusement arcade on the pier, which is closed. | |
| But a section of promenade under the structure has been reopened in time for the four-day air show, which ends on Sunday and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors. | But a section of promenade under the structure has been reopened in time for the four-day air show, which ends on Sunday and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors. |
| "It's a fantastic opportunity to show everybody that Eastbourne is a can-do town," said councillor Carolyn Heaps. | "It's a fantastic opportunity to show everybody that Eastbourne is a can-do town," said councillor Carolyn Heaps. |
| "We've had a bit of a disaster with our pier only a couple of weeks ago but we have come through that. It's business as usual. Our town is buzzing." | "We've had a bit of a disaster with our pier only a couple of weeks ago but we have come through that. It's business as usual. Our town is buzzing." |
| The Lancaster bomber is best known for its part in attacking German dams in 1943, later portrayed in The Dam Busters film. | The Lancaster bomber is best known for its part in attacking German dams in 1943, later portrayed in The Dam Busters film. |
| The two aircraft, which have been reunited as a salute to veterans of Bomber Command, first flew together from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Wednesday. | The two aircraft, which have been reunited as a salute to veterans of Bomber Command, first flew together from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Wednesday. |
| Airbourne commentator George Bacon said the meeting of the two aircraft was "huge". | Airbourne commentator George Bacon said the meeting of the two aircraft was "huge". |
| "I can't underscore enough how important an event it is, most notably for the veterans who are still alive," he said. | "I can't underscore enough how important an event it is, most notably for the veterans who are still alive," he said. |
| Former flight engineer and bomb aimer Jack Watson, 90, flew 77 missions in the aircraft during World War Two. | |
| "It's a sound you never, every forget and you can still smell the inside of one when it goes," he said. | |
| Eight of the pier's concessions have been given market stalls at the show in an effort to help get the businesses back on their feet. | Eight of the pier's concessions have been given market stalls at the show in an effort to help get the businesses back on their feet. |
| Residents and businesses in the town have given more than £4,500 to Eastbourne Pier Benevolent Fund, which is being used to help people suffering hardship caused by the blaze. | Residents and businesses in the town have given more than £4,500 to Eastbourne Pier Benevolent Fund, which is being used to help people suffering hardship caused by the blaze. |