.......following on from the East Kirkby event on 2nd September I have been following Veras progress as work continued on her engine replacement. Yesterday morining the engine fired up ok and it was posted on the Canadian website that she would have a test flight then return to RAF Conningsby. I live less than three-quarters of an hour from the base and so took a chance on seeing her fly in, at which point I had no idea if the test flight was successful or not. To be honest I was inspired by a tour I took of East Kirkby airfield the previous day aboard an old Queen Mary trailer, the guide told us that he was more moved at seeing two lancasters on the ground taxiing out than he was seeing them in the air. I suddenly realised that perhaps this was a good opportunity to see Vera on the ground................so I took a chance.
Believe it or not, sometimes fate plays a hand........on arriving there were a number of cars already parked up outside the hanger. I spoked to a couple who informed me that she was on her way, and showed me on their tracking device that she was over Woodhall Spa as we spoke. So literally 5 minutes after parking up she was in sight, doing a circuit as she came into land. Once on the ground she parked within feet of where I had parked. The Canadian crew and all on board got a well deserved round of applause from all there, the relief apparant on their faces. A massive effort put in by everyone to get things back on schedule. The crew came over to the crowd which was great to see, as did the pilot.............all were a credit to their nation. I even managed to get an autograph from the pilot himself, for which I was very grateful.
If you drive into Conningsby you cannot help but be taken back by the reception that the whole village has put up.......Canadian flags and bunting adorn many of the houses and its evident that the efforts put in are much appreciated. In fact I believe that the Canadians themselves are still taken aback by the ammount of support and welcome they have received..........I for one am truely grateful and feel a certain privelage at being able to see this.
Here are some photos taken at Conningsby, showing Vera arriving and on the ground. Also a resident Hurricane and Spitfire of the BBMF and last but by no means least 'Thumper' the BBMF Lanc, parked up inside the hanger, no doubt enjoying a well deserved rest, she too has encountered problems which have been sorted, but perhaps not widely known. These are old aircraft after all and need constant maintenance to keep them flying. The guys on the ground you are not forgotton.
I couldnt leave Conningsby without taking (a rather distant picture) of the Tallboy and Grandslam bombs, good to see these have some form of shelter now, they used to be open to the elements. One thing I did learn during the talk at East Kirkby, was that the Tallboy bombs were more expensive to produce at the time than the Lancaster bomber, the Grand Slam even more so.......one reason not to drop them unless the target could be seen - the rule was, if you cant see the target, bring it home!!
again hope you like the pictures, a selection of what I took
regards Kev
