Lancaster fly-past marks Dambuster anniversary
Mr Uhdd, has been plane spotting today, so for the aviation buffs amongst you (that’s you flighty) some images; I’ve got to dash out in a moment and I won’t be back on line for a wee while, so if you are not familiar with the historical importance of the ‘Lancaster Bombers’ you had best read this, here’s an excerpt from the Independent Newspaper.
A Lancaster bomber swooped over a Peak District reservoir today to mark the 65th anniversary of the Dambusters raid.
The historic Lancaster – similar to the one used by the RAF’s 617 Squadron to successfully bomb two German dams in 1943 – flew three times along the Derwent valley as the centrepiece of a thrilling flypast.
The Derwent dam was used by the Dambusters to train ahead of their mission to destroy three dams in Germany’s Ruhr valley.
Today Squadron Leader Les Munro, the last surviving pilot from the mission codenamed Operation Chastise, was one of the guests of honour attending the service.
Also taking part in the fly-past were a Spitfire, a Hurricane, two Tornado fighters from the present 617 Squadron, and a Dakota transport plane (there is Lancaster, bottom right in this shot)
I must away, my carriage awaits.
These are some really neat photos! Oh to soar above the land! And to be able to capture some shots of bombers and fighters!
That’s me indeed, especially with wonderful aircraft like these old-timers!
Terrific photos!
I’ve just finished reading Bomber Boys which is a superb account of the men who flew Lancasters, and other bombers, during WW2 http://www.lep.co.uk/bookreviews/Bomber-Boys-Fighting-Back-194045.3894571.jp
Great photos! I especially like the first one.
(Flighty my husband is reading that book at the moment.)
) Fantastic pictures!
Hello Uphilldowndale, Flighty mentioned your entry to me as we are frequent visitors to Derwentside. My boys go fishing there and me and my old people like to picnic there. I did see something on the news but your entry has held my attention.
A wonderful read.
The Battle of Britain Flight regularly flies over the Gadget household. These are great photos. BTW we are coming up to the Lakes the week after next; I’ll be in touch!
617 are from my old man’s last posting at the airbase up this way and I had the privilege to sit in one of their bombers (not fighters!) at Lossie when the skip gave me a tour when the old man passed away after 40 ears RAF service.
Ok he didn’t have that many lugs – I meant 40 YEARS!
ps get that meme done!
Wonderful photos.
Give us a chance Noddy!! we’ve been in the Lake District this weekend; Joe’s school had an activity weekend in Brrowdale, Mr Uhdd had a fell race and Tom’s school had a choir event in the South Lakes. I played out with the camera.
Now we are back to the mountain of chores that is Sunday evening.
I am in awe of the flying skills that can sycncronise the Lancaster and the two Tornado’s flight in formation over Derwent Dam, then I think of the precision involved the original mission, and what little navigational aids the crews had compared to now.
Flighty, my first boss, was a joiner on Lancasters, seems odd to think of a saw and a couple of planks of wood being used in aviation construction.
I’ll post some more tomorrow,
Not much timber used nowadays except in some homebuilt light aircraft!
I thought that you’d like this http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK—Air/Avro-683-Lancaster/1356178/L/