I live on the South Coast and hear Merlin engines regularly. It is a very distinctive sound. A few years ago I heard a particularly unusual sound, like a bunch of spitfires. I rushed into the garden just in time to see two Lancasters together. It made my day.

@maxomii2519

2 жыл бұрын

That's an amazingly rare thing to see since there are only two still in flying condition, I'm really very jealous

@normagraham149

2 жыл бұрын

In 2016, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Lancaster flew to England to do some flights with the BBMF. There’s a wonderful documentary about it called “Reunion of Giants”.

@AndrewLohmannKent

2 жыл бұрын

The beat of the engines not exactly running at the same speed. I recall them as a boy in the 1960s when they flew them on special days or took them out for a fly around. I could be wrong though on what the aircraft was?

@royw-g3120

2 жыл бұрын

Dad was a youngster in 1940. When I asked him what the best sound in the world is he said the Spitfire squadron turning up from RAF Hornchurch to intercept a bombing raid. Teacher and pupils would run out of class to watch history in live action.

@TheKazzerscout

2 жыл бұрын

One flew over my house so low once it felt like you could touch it. Absolutely incredible. Benefits of living under the path planes take for air shows.

You Brits produced masterful aviation pieces during that awful war: the Spitfire, the Mosquito, and this brilliantly-designed Merlin’d beauty. To fly the missions must have taken a heck of a lot of valor-55,573 lost! Cheers to you from the States! 💛🙏🏼

@TheSycotik

2 жыл бұрын

The Mighty Eighth lost 26 000 dead. Lost of civilian lives, too many.

@ericpeters9476

2 жыл бұрын

Of the 55,573, more than 10K were Canadian. To put this in US perspective it would be 100K of the men in service or proportional to the UK losses.

@tomnwoo

2 жыл бұрын

Beautifully written

@anthonyeaton5153

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you the USA and the 8th Airforce. Gallantry in action. From a Brit.

@anthonyeaton5153

2 жыл бұрын

@@ericpeters9476 don’t know what you mean.

My Father had an uncle who was a rear gunner in a Lancaster. He was from a wealthy family, and would drive his little MG from London up to Ardrossan to visit occasionally. He'd take my Father for drives in his little sports car, which impressed him greatly. He was one of the many, many young men who never came home. No body to bury. No ashes to mourn. Just a box with the contents of his foot locker on the day he died.

@christopherkennedy1807

2 жыл бұрын

My uncle was killed on his first mission in a Lancaster

@idleonlooker1078

2 жыл бұрын

May both these young crewmen rest in peace, and never be forgotten!! Respect. 👍

@hankhicks1108

2 жыл бұрын

And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined And though you died back in 1943 To that faithful heart you're forever nineteen Or are you just a stranger without even a name Forever enshrined behind some old glass pane In an old photograph torn, tattered, and stained And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame

@brianpeters7847

2 жыл бұрын

@@christopherkennedy1807 Sad

@brianpeters7847

2 жыл бұрын

@@hankhicks1108 Sad

I think the bravery and sacrifice of the bomber crews doesn't get the gratitude they deserve.

@timinthesun

2 жыл бұрын

Where I am from, it does.

@kevinhughes720

2 жыл бұрын

What about the Christian women and children they murdered?

@stickiedmin6508

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinhughes720 "Murdered?" That's a little disingenuous, don't you think?

@ozzieparky

2 жыл бұрын

I think murdered is a bit strong. That would suggest specific intention to kill those people which I'm not sure was the case. I think it is fair to recognise that there were a lot of civilian casualties due to the allied bombing campaign which is never a good thing however that doesn't diminish the bravery that those boys showed going up night after night. The other thing to remember is that for a long time, Bomber Command was the only allied outfit that was able to take the war to the Germans on their own turf which was so important in diverting resources away from front line combat and potentially lowering the morale of the German people which up until then, would presumably have been pretty good, as the German military had stamped all over Europe.

@dukecraig2402

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinhughes720 It was to stop the Nazi's who were the real murderers, 6.5 million Jew's alone, the amount of civilians Bomber Command killed pales in comparison to the number that the Germans outright murdered simply in the name of hate and trying to take over the world. Or are you suggesting that Bomber Command should have dropped leaflets nightly that said "Please oh pretty please stop invading other countries and rounding up people and putting them in death camp's, please." Was that what they should have done Buttercup?

I’m a former USAF pilot, and always held the WW2 bomber crews in awe for sheer bravery under fire. We couldn’t have asked for a better ally. Salutes to the RAF and the Lancaster! 🇬🇧🇺🇸

@shingerz

2 жыл бұрын

Hear hear well said

@tvdinner325

2 жыл бұрын

"Visitor Engagement Coordinator"? So you're a tour guide? I remember when we had "Bin-men", until they became "Recycle and waste management technicians". I weep for the future. Great video.

@jjhry177

2 жыл бұрын

dont forget your yankee ancestors did the same bud b17s and b25s so neither could we ask for a better ally pal best to u and yours

@gibson617ajg

2 жыл бұрын

Just out of interest, what did you fly? Did you get sent to Britain?

@richardpluim4426

2 жыл бұрын

My aunt Irene told me, her and her sister would watch the the planes do battle from their backyard. She said one day they saw two Hawker Hurricanes shoot down a Bf109. My Uncle Chuck was Canadian bomber crew and on his day off, he met Irene at a train station. He talked his way into her heart. The rest is history. God rest them both.

I weep for the lives lost. All volunteers and some of the finest young men of their generation. May we never forget their sacrifice.

@Bruce-1956

Ай бұрын

#wewillrememberthem

My uncle was a Lancaster pilot and I recently came across a book written by another pilot called William Dives in the same squadron. There is a piece at the end of the book where after flying 36 sorties over Germany he went on R&R and the day after he arrived at his lodgings he had his 21st birthday! The Lanc had only a single pilot, getting a plane full of bombs and high octane fuel off the ground, getting it to Germany dodging fighters and flak, finding the target and getting back alive 36 times before he was 21 yeas old is a very sobering achievement and hard to imagine being achieved today. As a country we were very lucky to have the skills to build Lancaster's and the people to fly them.

@paulcook7986

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing.

@garylove5475

2 жыл бұрын

My uncle was a mid upper gunner lastly with 97 Sq flying 77 missions, surviving WW2 and suffering guilt for the rest of his life mainly for the unnecessary Dresden carpet bombing but also surviving when so many of his chums having lost their lives. I arranged via the Collingwood RAF museum to go over their lanc . My, what an emotional moment for him and also me . I have read so much about the bravery on both Luftwaffe and RAF sides but to see first hand the environment these guys operated at every OP, freezing, hostile and uncertain just reduced me to tears.

@spaceman081447

2 жыл бұрын

@John Wales RE: "The Lanc had only a single pilot, getting a plane full of bombs and high octane fuel off the ground, getting it to Germany dodging fighters and flak, finding the target, and getting back alive 36 times before he was 21 years old is a very sobering achievement and hard to imagine being achieved today." That's why they're called The Greatest Generation.

@philnztaylor

Жыл бұрын

Amazing. I am truly in awe of the bravery of the young men like your uncle. So selfless. Thank you.

@realMaverickBuckley

Жыл бұрын

Awe inspiring. Can you imagine todays kids doing that?

My headmaster in the early 1970's had been a Lanc skipper at the age of 22. It beggars belief that men so young were doing these astonishong things and how indescribably sad to have lost so many. On a lighter note, he made many a maths lesson fascinating by incorporating his flying experiences into the lessons. It takes something special to keep a room full of restless, unruly 14-year old boys enthralled and totally absorbed.

@idleonlooker1078

2 жыл бұрын

You must have some truly amazing memories of those classes!! 👍

@hughmungus1767

2 жыл бұрын

It's truly difficult to imagine today's 18-22 year olds risking their lives the way the WW II generation did, knowing that many would not survive.

@petersmith7126

2 жыл бұрын

When you look at the ages of those who died in WW2, on the sea, ground and in the air the ages would and do bring a tear to your eye.... 26-28 years of age was considered old and especially in the RAF

@rokuthedog

2 жыл бұрын

​@@petersmith7126 Like Eminem said Im 28 they gonna take you before they take me

@GrrMeister

2 жыл бұрын

*Pity your English Master did not pick up on **_astonishong_** correction **_Astonishing_** 3/10 in GCE in early 1970's*

My respect and admiration to those brave 55,573 young men who gave their lives for our freedom. You will not be forgotten.

My Fathers brother, my Uncle, was a Navigator in a Lancaster during the war. Unfortunately, like many more brave young men, he didn't survive the war, they were shot down over Holland on their way back home. All on board perished and, although I never met my Uncle John, I will never forget the sacrifice all these men gave for their country.

@FernandoHernandez-wj4jp

2 жыл бұрын

Not only your country. All Europe should be thankful of his sacrifice and the bravery of his comrades that fought for the freedom. Greetings from Spain.

@liamcorcoran8575

Жыл бұрын

I had a great grandfather named jack( sometimes went by John) who served as a navigator on a Lancaster. He got shot down but managed to bail. He was one of the lucky ones.

My Uncle Jack was a Bomb Aimer on one of these beauties, he and his crew died on their 20th mission on the 25th of November 1943 over Holland, my uncle was 26 years old. The planes no# was ED809. GOD BLESS THEM ALL WHO SERVED AND DIED!

Never complain about growing old.

@StevenKeery

2 жыл бұрын

I know, I think my rivets are suffering stress too.

@andyrbush

2 жыл бұрын

Lucky some of us at least got to enjoy our youth and grow old, we should not complain.

@hughmungus1767

2 жыл бұрын

A few years ago at the chiropractor's office, an elderly gentleman sat down very slowly and painfully near me. He saw me watching him and said "Don't ever get old!". I smiled sadly and said "I'm not sure I like the alternative...."

@Paul_Wright

2 жыл бұрын

Never complain about growing old and free

@jjayyoung7335

2 жыл бұрын

You have a great point

What a beauty! One could not have had a finer ally! Michael Weeks, San Antonio Texas. May God bless our fine friends in the UK!

@rhurbstafalcon4807

2 жыл бұрын

much kudos and respect for such fine sentiments mate....respect...

@jackmunday7602

2 жыл бұрын

55 573 of the RAF'S finest killed during during the war. And to think it wasn't until 2012 that they finally got a memorial dedicated to to their sacrifice. Criminal absolutely Criminal.

@dwaynehicks6838

2 жыл бұрын

🇬🇧🇺🇲

@cycleSCUBA

2 жыл бұрын

Kind sentiments. Mention must be made of our United States allies B17 crews who matched our boys' bravery, determination and true heroics during WWII. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

@jackmunday7602

2 жыл бұрын

@@cycleSCUBA I couldn't agree more. Those lads had it rough as he'll over Germany. I used to chat with this old chap called Dennis at sainsbury's where I worked. He was just a young boy during the war. And he and his friends used to watch the Fortress's and Liberator's taking off in the morning before school. After school they would cycle to the airfields and watch the bombers come home. Many would come back riddled with bullet holes, wings shoot up, tails and vertical stabilisers shoot off, engines on fire. But for Dennis and his friends it was all good fun. One day Dennis was watching the ground crew hosing out the inside of a B-17. He asked a passing M.P what they were doing. The M.P explained that the top turret gunner, took a direct hit from a thirty millimetre cannon shell, which blew him to pieces. The largest peice they could find of him was his left foot. The rest of him was smeared all over aeroplane. Dennis said he never went back to that airfield. And I fully understand why. They were such brave, brave boys. And many of them were no older than 18. When I was 18 I was chasing girls at college and going out getting hammered with friends. These lads were fighting for their lives at 30 000 feet in -60°C temperatures. Words cannot express the respect, gratitude or admiration I have for them. 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 🇫🇷 🇿🇦 🇮🇳 🇵🇱 🇳🇴 🇳🇱

Best bomber in the European Theater, bar none! Bigger bombload than all others, rugged, long-legged, crewed by some of the best -- and bravest -- flyers in the world. What more could you ask for? Okay, the B-29, but the B-29 was a specialist beast designed for the reaches of the Pacific and that came into production later in the war. Cheers and a salute from a U.S. Navy retired vet (living in Oregon, USA)!

@Coltnz1

2 жыл бұрын

@@wilburfinnigan2142 From Wiki - The first prototype made its maiden flight from Boeing Field, Seattle on 21 September 1942.

@dukecraig2402

2 жыл бұрын

Watch a video on the channel Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles called "B17 vs the Lancaster, the truth!". You're really going to be surprised to find out that the Lancaster didn't have a higher bomb capacity than the B17, and it also didn't have a copilot to assist or take over if the pilot was killed or wounded, didn't have as many defensive guns as the B17 and it's things like that which are why it had a much higher loss rate than the B17, and wasn't nearly as accurate as the B17. Yea one of them was "hands down" better than the other, and it's not the one you think.

@crinolynneendymion8755

2 жыл бұрын

@@dukecraig2402 The Mosquito could carry what B17 could for goodness sake. What's your point?. The B17 could carry the load but wouldn't be able to reach it's target and would have to through out all those redundant guns. Guns that had to be augmented by specialist long range fighters. Humbug!

@anthonywilson4873

2 жыл бұрын

@@dukecraig2402Lets compare Apples with Apples and Pears with Pears. The Typical Bomb load on a B17 to Berlin. 6000lbs. Lancaster 14,000Lbs. With regards to losses, the RAF started bombing In 1939 with twin engined outdated slow bombers. The US started bombing in Europe in 1942 with the heavily armed B17.. The RAF. without escort fighters with the range to fly to Berlin or other German targets was eventually forced to bomb at night which was terribly inaccurate until, electronic aids came along and the pathfinders who marked and remarked the target then they could bomb at night through cloud also airborne radar on Mosquito Night Fighters although later on in the war with Germany losing so many of its fighters and crew daylight bombing was also resumed. US mainly bombed during daylight from high altitude. Early on the Eighth Airforce took huge losses at one point stopping long range missions for a while, the escort fighters with long range fuel tanks saved the day, especially after they adopted and modified for long range the American Built Mustang originally built by North American Aviation for the RAF. The Rolls Royce designed Merlin had replaced the Allison engine and transformed the aircraft at fighting altitudes and Packard was building Merlins under licence. Fighters could now fly all the way to Berlin and back and bomber losses fell and German fighter pilots losses went up. The most weight Lancaster’s carried was one bomb of 22.000lbs. The Grand Slam. This was spin stabilised and went supersonic when dropped. Lancaster carrying Grand Slams where modified as where the B17 flying short missions carrying 8000lbs with 6000lbs in bomb bay and the rest in bomb racks under wings. One of my favourite modified aircraft is the Catalina ( The Black Cats), originally a patrol plane was modified to carry bombs and torpedos by the US engineers out in the Pacific. They attacked at night Japanese shipping with very good successes.

@wanderschlosser1857

2 жыл бұрын

Well, seems like He-177 was at least on par or exceeding with the Lanc regarding speed, bomb load and range. Of course there were far less 177 built and the Lanc was certainly more reliable.

Unbelievable engineering and balls to even fly in this thing

Excellent presentation.As a WW2 aviation buff, the Lancaster and Spitfire are my favorite RAF warbirds. Cheers from the USA!

My father piloted KB882, a Mark X Canadian built Lancaster. It is now being restored at the RCAF Museum in Trenton. It also was used for reconnaissance and monitored the Russian naval traffic to Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis. It also participated in the 1000 bomber raids near the end of the war.

@annemarieandrews3522

2 жыл бұрын

Canadian women built those airplanes, the women were called the "bomb girls" one of which was my mom.

@davidforsythe3037

2 жыл бұрын

My thanks to your father, and all of our Canadian heroes. I’m very glad that his plane is being restored. We owe so much to these great Men.

@gomezadams9900

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Gordon, Is it the same one which was taken from Windsor which I just commented on?

@johnarnold908

2 жыл бұрын

Restored in Trenton..Hamilton has one ...

@petersmith7126

2 жыл бұрын

Can never restore to many Lancaster's but it would be lovely to see a Haifax restored and even the likes of the Stirling, Wellington and Hampden to pay tribute to all our bomber boys

We owe a lot to these men.

@idleonlooker1078

2 жыл бұрын

IMHO we owe everything to them, and moreover to those who never came back.

Grand video. My grandfather was a bomb aimer/nose gunner in Lancasters of the Pathfinder Force of 405 Squadron, and he loved these planes. He was fond of quoting one of his war history books by saying of the Lancasters: "She had no bad habits."

My partner and I had the pleasure of meeting Graham today on our visit to Duxford, what a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, polite, professional and all round lovely chap, we had a satisfying discussion about the different varients of spitfires, what ones were in the hanger with us and their history, with an added bonus of a chat about our ducatis, he really made our day so special. We are so greatful to him. I hope you read this Graham. Many thanks and we will see you again soon. I was the lass with the MK18 Spitfire tattoo on my back😉❤️

@ryanbridgeman64

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, Graham has read this. He says thanks so much and hope to see you soon ☺️

@rubytwoshoes1032

2 жыл бұрын

@@ryanbridgeman64 thanks Ryan for letting us know, that's so lovely of you 😊❤️

My Grandmothers brother was a tailgunner on one of those flights with the '8th intelligence man', they still haven't declassified what exactly they were upto when they went down. We do however know that the Germans gave them a full military burial, as well as the Soviets being nice enough to allow the graves to moved into West German territory before the iron curtain fell. We should all remember to be grateful for what we have now and for those that gave everything so that we may have it.

@well-blazeredman6187

2 жыл бұрын

101 Squadron?

Brilliant video thank you for sharing. I used to visit Duxford several times a year with my friend Kevin Boyes until he was taken from us with cancer at a very young age. I have not been since as I would find it upsetting. We both loved the Lanc and he has one carved on his headstone. A lovely man who is sorely missed. RIP Kevin.

@leglessinoz

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe you should still go. Given you both enjoyed so much I'm sure he would've wanted you to keep going. Remember the good times.

These men going out night after night, while friends died all around, were supremely brave, whatever you think about what they were doing. Heroic

My late father was a flight engineer on a Lancaster during the war. He would never talk to us about his war time experiences. I was a little girl when I watched the final flight at Scampton as they were all flying out. I asked my mother where were they going and as I listened to that amazing sound of the flight, she told me they were going to be scrapped. I didn’t understand at the time. Only that I was very sad I wouldn’t see them flying like that ever again 😢 Joan

@madmanmechanic8847

Жыл бұрын

Wow how sad . Its like the Mossies after the war they sat around left to rot and the wood rotted on them and they were scrapped . Makes me very sad all the scraping that went on and now these planes are so rare

My uncle was a Flight Lieutenant on Lancaster’s. Sadly lost over France. All brave souls.

My uncle Captain D E Hudson was a Lancaster bomber pilot with the RCAF. We still have his log book from his missions over Europe.

Wow my dad served in the royal new Zealand navy in the south Pacific, he never spoke of the horrors, many thousands were lost ,thankyou for this most enjoyable history lesson. beautifully presented with compassionate respect.

My uncle was Chester Bruce Gowrie (RCAF), he was the Wireless Operator flying with Pilot Officer Rice on the Dams Raid. Lancaster DV398 "Z" flying the northern route flew a little too low, hit the water and lost the bomb, turned and limped back home to Scampton. Bruce was born in Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. He survived up until Dec 20, 1943. The raid on an armaments factory in Liege was his last. He was buried with the rest of the crew in Gosselies, Belgium. One part that get's over looked. It wasn't just the night fighters, it was returning home to Scampton and later Coningsby, and in Bruce's case surviving three crash landings. Bruce's two brothers, one was headquartered in London, The other served in Italy. Their sister was a WAAF. Volunteers, like all the Canadians who served with the RAF.

She has a savage beauty. A bloody pulveriser of a plane (to borrow from an earlier quote). Forever grateful to all those who flew , maintained and built the Lancaster. Fly free all you boys who didn't make it back home.

My late father trained to be a wireless/airgunner in Canada under the Empire Air Training scheme as did many colonials then flew inWellingtons and Lancasters. His crew was multinational and survived the war. A fellow Aussie wrote a book about rear gunners called “They hosed them out” referring to the removing of the remains of a rear gunner who died saving the rest of his crew. Imagine their bravery .

I flew in PA474 when stationed at RAF Coningsby. An unforgettable experience and a memory I will cherish. Bomber command and the men that flew often dont get the recognition they deserve.

They flew a Lancaster, with a Spitifre and a hurricane alongside as escort, over Chatham Naval Dockyard in Kent UK, one year in the 90's to commemorate the end of the War, and they flew right over my house and i got to hear 6 merlin engines roar at close quarters. It's a sound(and sight) i have never forgotten.

A friend of my late uncle was a Lancaster bomber pilot and the stories he would tell over dinner in Lyme Regis were amazing. I’m going back some 40 years now but the stories are still in my memories. His home made beer was ruthless though!!

My grandfather on my mother's side flew on Lancs. He flew 66 missions, as a navigator to start, and as the bomb-aimer toward the end. He was the Pathfinder-Force Master Bomber, when he was shot down on his 26th birthday in 1944, over Normandy, supporting breakout operations. That was 8 Sept 44. He and the pilot were awarded their second DFC's for that, presented by the King at Buckingham Palace after the war.

@Spudtron98

2 жыл бұрын

66 runs? Surviving just one thirty mission tour was hard enough, let alone just over _two_ of them.

@CA999

2 жыл бұрын

I had a relative who was in the pathfinders too. We still have his campaign map of Germany with little yellow arrows pointing to mission objectives like cities. Each arrow has a number on top for the number of missions. He was a Lancaster pilot and never flew a plane ever again after the war. He became an accountant after the war. He apparently saw a Lancaster on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra later in life and cried to himself his son told me.

@peterwood2246

2 жыл бұрын

Respect brave men 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@sugarnads

2 жыл бұрын

❤️🇭🇲 Hero. Glad he survived the war.

@ozzieparky

2 жыл бұрын

At 26, I guess he'd have been one of the oldest...Crazy to think what those boys went through

Brilliant talk from Graham who is a fountain of knowledge at IWM Duxford. We should never forget the bravery of those who flew in them.

Bomber command and the men who flew and died in service demand our upmost respect and gratitude. It is shameful that it took so long for their sacrifice to be recognised. War is abhorrent but they were victims too.

@robertburwood7299

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely right

I worked with a guy in the 80’s who had been a Lanc tail gunner. he had just come back from a holiday in Germany, they asked him if he had been there before. Yes, he replied, but only from 20,000 feet.

@shaundouglas2057

2 жыл бұрын

A friend of mine had a similar story of an airline pilot flying into Berlin in the 1950's. The German air traffic controller asked him have you ever flown to Berlin before he was about to land. He responded yes in 1942 and it was dark. There was some seconds of silence before air traffic control responded back.

We have one of these beauties stationed In a Hamilton museum . IT Flys over the Niagara Falls area ( Ontario Canda ) on a regular basis . What a treat to see !

Immense respect for the soldiers who fly these mighty bombers. Thank you dudes, thank you.

@garfieldsmith332

2 жыл бұрын

@William Mulvaney Try a Fairy Swordfish sometime.

I took at tour of that Lancaster at Duxford a few years ago and talked to Graham one on one for quite some time. His knowledge is unsurpassed and he was very personable. It was a honor to be able to do that, and something I will remember for as long as I live.

Ah, the sound of one Rolls Royce Merlin engine at cruising speed sends shivers down my spine. And this plane has four!?!

@Kevin-mx1vi

2 жыл бұрын

I was blessed to hear EIGHT Merlins in 2014 when the Canadian Lancaster was visiting the UK and both it and the BBMF Lancaster flew within half a mile of my house. They flew west to east along the line of the Calder Valley where I live, then turned west south west roughly over junction 24 of the M62, and headed off toward the Derbyshire dams where The Dam Busters practiced for their legendary raid, so I could see and hear them for quite some time. That sight and sound is something I'll treasure forever.

@larryjenkinson4789

2 жыл бұрын

@@wilburfinnigan2142 the British Lancaster has Packard built Merlins too.

@koitorob

2 жыл бұрын

@@larryjenkinson4789 I think you'll find the American and Canadian built Lancs had those

@tonyhonour665

2 жыл бұрын

We saw them at Little Gransden and Duxford during that tour. An incredible sight unlikely to be repeated in my lifetime, the restoration of Just Jane not withstanding.

I had a personal tour with Graham today on the lancaster at duxford and his knowledge of the aircraft and especially the dambuster raids was amazing. I finished the tour feeling overwhelemed by the sacrifices made by our young men for us all. Thank you graham 🙏

I remember aged 7 seeing a squadron of Lancs flying just over my head and landing just over the road on the threshold at Waddington. Absolutely Awesome

I am lucky enough to be able to see one of the last flying lancasters out in the sky! Every Sunday out on Lake Ontario we see it overhead while we are sailing! Absolutely beautiful plane! And you can always hear it coming!

@doradodude140

2 жыл бұрын

NICE

@OntarioPrepper

Жыл бұрын

I live in Niagara Falls Ontario and That planes name is Vera , Registration # VRA

@JohnRoss1

Жыл бұрын

We saw the Lancaster flying at the Brantford (Ontario) airshow in 2019. They've flown it to the UK too. I saw it last year at the air museum at Hamilton airport, imagine the upkeep on those machines to keep them flyable. Lots of pans under the planes at the museum to catch the oil drips 😂

@crazycatlady68

Жыл бұрын

Me too!! Burlington here by the lake

It was successful due to the bravery of its crews .

Very good video, really well presented by Graham, his knowledge and passion really shines through, very professional. Thankyou IWM Duxford and to Graham for showing us the collection in such in depth detail. As a wheelchair user it is fantastic that you provide these videos, keep up the fantastic work.

My old man was Irish and went to England to volunteer in 43, ended up in the RCAF. Completed a full tour in Lancasters and a bit extra as rear gunner and on a couple of occasions as mid upper gunner. I have his log book, many interesting entries, 1. Shot-up by FW - crashed on landing. 2 Flew 300 miles on 1 engine, 3. All guns frozen., etc. He did tell me about the corkscrew manoeuvre. He also mentioned the very heavy drinking and bar fights when off duty. Dirty Dicks in London apparently was popular with air crew., they signed their names on the wall and ceilings. Extraordinary men and women of their time.

Thanks to our local air museum, have had the pleasure of seeing their operation Landcaster on many occasions. Flying over the city, have walked around it in the holding area, Watched it start up and taxi out to the runway, as well as return from a flight and power down. It is an amazing machine and I am always awed by it.

I had a relative who was in the pathfinders too. We still have his campaign map of Germany with little yellow arrows pointing to mission objectives like cities. Each arrow has a number on top for the number of missions. He was a Lancaster pilot and never flew a plane ever again after the war. He became an accountant after the war. He apparently saw a Lancaster on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra later in life and cried to himself his son told me.

@isabelrobinson5986

2 жыл бұрын

G for George. My dad was a tail gunner on a Lancaster. G for George wasn't his plane - his was lost with all crew on the second mission after he received an honourable discharge because of ill health (mental). About 20 years ago I went into the museum and there on the floor, detached, was the little glass box tail gunners sat in. So small and cramped. I startled my teenage daughter by bursting into tears.

@clarencewatson8366

Жыл бұрын

G For George.

RIP grandad. Arthur George Dorey flight navigator.

Great tour the same guy gave us a personal tour of the Lanc about six years ago,my dad was a rear gunner in one, we will always remember that and also very grateful of the time he spent with us. Roger and Carole

Many years ago I lived in Southport and during an aircraft display heard a tremendous thundering sound and overhead flew a Lancaster plus a Spitfire and also a Mosquito. Seven Merlins, what a fantastic sight and an even more fantastic sound that vibrated the filling in my teeth.

I've just found this. Graham is a total genius. I hope he's getting a pay rise soon, he is an extremely knowledgeable man, incredibly approachable and helpful to a tee. As I said elsewhere, Graham took my tour on the Lancaster last year and he made it a very molemorable occasion. Hope to be back at IWM again and cross paths with him.

My favorite WWII bomber, #2 was the B24. Both are beautiful aircraft IMO. Made models of both and hung them from the ceiling over my bed when I was a kid

Our former neighbour was. Lancaster pilot. He was in his 90's. He did at least two tours of duty and never had a scratch but I dare say he had more than a few close calls. He was always reluctant to talk about his service but he did say that he got shipped out to Arizona as a trainer. At a neighbours house, where the conversation was about a visit to Dresden and how lovely it's restoration was, after a dry sherry or two Jim said,"sorry, I did that". Lovely chap.

You are so right. The greatest WW2 bomber. The bravery of RAF Bomber Command was and is awe inspiring.

@Poliss95

3 жыл бұрын

How about the Mosquito and the B-29?

@johnnycab8986

2 жыл бұрын

Lanc was probably the least effective four engine bomber in mass production in the entire war.

@larrybrown1824

2 жыл бұрын

@@Poliss95 The B-29 was a technical wonder, but failed at it's primary mission: high altitude bombing. The air currents over Japan were just too unpredictable. Also, many, many aircrew were killed by the B-29 because the engines liked to fail on take off. The Mosquito is a wonderful plane, but when you factor in bomb load it just doesn't compare. I'm one of them there 'Mericans and even I have to give the nod to the Lancaster!

@simongleaden2864

2 жыл бұрын

The best British heavy bomber anyway.

@lancsladgaming7146

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnnycab8986 totally incorrect comment. Well done.

I had the pleasure of exploring the inside of a Lancaster Bomber, that was on static display at Squires Gate Airport, Blackpool, Lancashire, during the early 1970's. It was an experience, I'll never forget.

@larryjenkinson4789

2 жыл бұрын

I went there in the early 70's too. My dad was a former Lancaster rear gunner.

The best Designers, Aircraft, Engines, Crews etc. The Lancaster was even prepared and tested in preparation for a third Atomic Bomb drop on Japan. Roy Chadwick went on to design yet another world beater - the Vulcan.

@keithammleter3824

2 жыл бұрын

: Yes, I've heard that story, but.... And just where were the RAF going to get that extra bomb from?

@raymondwelsh6028

2 жыл бұрын

@@keithammleter3824 There was no 3rd bomb but was a contingency in case the B29 was a failure. The B17 wasn’t even considered because of its inadequate bomb load. The mission was either considered being flown from China or Iwo Jima.🇦🇺

@MrT67

2 жыл бұрын

@@keithammleter3824 The reason the Lanc was considered was that the B29 was still in development and having a few issues. Obviously, they sorted those issues

@peterpan1435

2 жыл бұрын

@@keithammleter3824 See the video The Black Lancasters.

@palemale2501

2 жыл бұрын

The US high commend were insistent that the B29 was made ready in time to avoid using the Lanc, but they still had to use the Lanc bomb release system for both bombings.

Wow, thank you very much for this video, I still get emotional every time I see a Lancaster, my Great Grandfather was a rear gunner in one, flew all over Europe and even served in North Africa, fortunately he survived to tell me his stories of the war and lived to his late 80's bless him..

The men in Bomber Command were very brave! We lost some of our best!

@iriscollins7583

2 жыл бұрын

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Consider the difference in population.

@sbd1102

2 жыл бұрын

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Alright, it's not a competition!

@MELLYBOY58

2 жыл бұрын

Breaks my heart to see what theyve been replaced with ✌✌🇬🇧🇬🇧

@shanghaiberti4142

2 жыл бұрын

They were not men most were just boys, 19 yrs old doing mission after mission. And not even old enough too vote.... Brave is not the word

@spaSSkloppe

2 жыл бұрын

Childmurder are human trash.

Why was the Lanc so successful - simple, 4 Merlins !

@thegreatdominion949

2 жыл бұрын

That didn't exactly make the Halifax successful, at least not as successful as it was with 4 Bristol Hercules engines.

@mspicer3262

2 жыл бұрын

I love seeing the flying Lanc out at Hamilton ON, just hearing those Merlins roar makes the hair stand up on my arms...

@dalestephan6777

2 жыл бұрын

Good range, merlins, and more bomb load than a b17.. 🙂

@simongleaden2864

2 жыл бұрын

Well trained crews had a lot to do with the Lancaster's success.

@jeffpollard7304

2 жыл бұрын

@@wilburfinnigan2142 With all the crap going on in 1939, ‘40, ‘41, ‘42*, ‘43, ‘44, ‘45, the Brits. we’re pushed to even bring into the country ‘bananas’. They were very grateful for vital a/c parts(where ever they could find them). Luck would have it the ‘yanks’ finally joined in (note the asterisk). I think most viewers of this post, are tired of your negative comments!

As a boy, I had the privilege of having a conversation with a man who was a tail gunner in a Lancaster. He told me that the most frustrating thing was firing his .303s at a Messerschmitt 109, and seeing the rounds bounce off the armoured glass of the cockpit.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Duxford when I holidayed in the UK in 2015! Stayed in the John Barleycorn Inn

Excellent. Thank You. My father flew in B-17s out of England & was always a bit jealous of the Lancaster. He told me, "Their old ladies are tougher than me & you put together". Thanks again

My uncle Bill Winchester was a pilot on Lancs during the war. He flew three tours in a mixed squadron .A tour was thirty missions so ninety missions in all before transferring to fighters and continuing the war against the Germans.

@michaelharman9421

2 жыл бұрын

He survived the war and went home to New Zealand when it was won

@MrT67

2 жыл бұрын

For some reason, that name and the context rings a bell. What part of NZ was he from?

@michaelharman9421

2 жыл бұрын

Christchurch

@michaelharman9421

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrT67 Chritchurch

@MrT67

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelharman9421 Thought so I'm from Christchurch. Pretty sure that I've heard my father refer to him on more than one occasion. My dad was too young for the war, but had a couple of uncle's serve. One in North Africa and one in the RAF flying hurricanes and P47's.

My late dad was a Lancaster pilot, I have his logbook. He always claimed that the war times were the best day of his life, something I've never understood. I can't imagine what it would have taken to climb into a Lancaster night after night knowing your chances of surviving were not great. I guess it would have been a horrible end. Our surname being Boome, he acquired the nickname Boomerang- because he always came back.

@agps4418

Жыл бұрын

Well sir, i'd say your father probably had his own 'definition' of war.

Unbelievable presentation by Graham, my friend, should be on TV. His knowledge on the subject manner is second to none, his respect for it is unlike anything I have ever seen, he has enthusiasm for the subject manner, tempered with that all important respect. Another awesome video.

I'm in Toronto and see VERA in our skies regularly. I always stop and watch and enjoy her clean lines and melodious merlin roar.

I built a model of a Lancaster when I was young. I always felt it was almost a fighter, so elegant and it just looked good!

@idleonlooker1078

2 жыл бұрын

To me, the Lancaster looks in flight as if it wants to stay in its element, riding the currents easily, and never wanting to land. 👍

@kitemanmusic

2 жыл бұрын

And sounded even better! Four Merlins!

@leglessinoz

2 жыл бұрын

I have a nice big 1:48 scale model of it to build sometime. I can't decide whether to do a regular camo version or the dambuster version.

I toured a Lancaster Bomber (maybe this one) at the annual Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in 1968. The factory that made & probably refurbished this plane was located in Malton, Ontario about 15 miles away. As noted the Lancaster was typical of The Anglo-Canadian built WW2 planes and didn't have armor plating while all of the American made planes did. These planes had to be as fast as possible and as light as possible. Armor was a frill.

@shaundouglas2057

2 жыл бұрын

Would this also be the reason why the Lancaster doesn't seem to have a ball gunner on its under side or any waist gunners or the majority of them didn't unlike the B17 and b24?

Seriously brave men in bomber command 🙌

Thanks, the only UK Lancaster stil flying comes over Morecambe bay occasionally,a magnificent sight, and to hear 4 Merlins full throttle is never forgotten. RIP all those brave young lads, I cannot imagine the horrors of being on board with all the Flak.

My heart and thoughts go to all the air men how fought during the second world war thanks God bless you all

@alexspareonetoo8755

2 жыл бұрын

No thoughts for their victims!

@crunchytheclown9694

2 жыл бұрын

@@alexspareonetoo8755 perhaps after

@kderules

2 жыл бұрын

And the slaughtered.

@crickcrot

2 жыл бұрын

@@alexspareonetoo8755 the victims who’s nation bombed almost every nation in Europe,

@alexspareonetoo8755

2 жыл бұрын

@@crickcrot I dont say they didnt have to do it. Albert Speer said it seriously affected German war fighting ability. But I merely mean we should not be proud of what had to be done, however justified and we should hear what it was like on the ground.

9:40 for people interested in the Dambusters story, Nant-y-gro dam was a small dam blown up as part of the testing. Its remains are accessible by foot from the Elan Valley tourist centre near Rhayader in Wales. The dam was built to supply the construction "village". When I visited it was unfortunately hard to see. Hopefully by now they've made it more visitor friendly.

@jaymorgan7728

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Sounds interesting.

I had the great opportunity to have a tour with this guy in Duxford museum in February last year (before the COVID outbreak). Have to say he kept my attention, with great engagement to keep you interested in the story he was telling. Just some pounds more then the average ticket, but very much worth my time.

Great communication, tight script, well presented. Good job.

My great grandfather piloted one of these in the war. He was part of the Dresden raids apparently. He rarely spoke about the war, according to my dad.

Today there are only two Lancasters still flying. One is here in Canada at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. The other in the UK. My uncle was a bomber pilot, flying a Lancaster.

@ianmangham4570

Жыл бұрын

Seen a spitfire in the air the other day at Holymoorside Chesterfield Derbyshire

@ANDREWLEONARDSMITH

10 ай бұрын

Another Lancaster is being restored to flying condition in the UK at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage centre so there will soon be 3 Lancasters flying.

My former boss was Johnny Rumgay who was lead bomb-aimer in 617 Sqn on the 5 and 10 ton raids. It was only at his funeral I learned that he has been awarded the DFC, with a handwritten note in the meal box from HM the King.

That sound ….that wing span. Always fascinated when I walk under her bomb bay. (One in Ottawa 🇨🇦)

I've actually seen a Lancaster fly. There are only two operational Lancasters left in the world, and one of them is in Hamilton, just across lake Ontario from my hometown of Toronto. Every once in a while when I'm downtown at a baseball game I'll see the Lancaster flying, and its always an incredible sight. This was one hell of a plane.

My father flew Lancasters he did training with the Dambusters to learn low level flying his job with his air crew was to drop supplies

@lancsladgaming7146

2 жыл бұрын

Shut up wilbur with your spam. The americans built the engine, the british designed it. The americans didnt even modify it. Strange that you dont even mention that the mustang was a poor fighter till the british designed merlin was put in it.....

@PappyGunn

2 жыл бұрын

@@lancsladgaming7146 The Mustangs the British ordered and flew was a poor fighter before the Americans put a Merlin in it....

A beautiful piece of machinery.

Great museum, great show. Graham is such a great presenter. Gets the exact right tone between details on the machines but also the bravery of the men. Excellent!

Great video, this Canadian loves to hear about the Canadian connections!

Great job. These Lancaster stories really give me the chills, imagining the dark, noise, boredom and sheer terror. I was lucky enough to be onboard the one in Lincoln as it taxied - stays with you.

@susangamble6038

2 жыл бұрын

We're going on 'Just Jane' - the privately owned Lancaster you had a taxy run in - next month. We've seen her multiple times. She's at East Kirkby, Lincs. There is another Lancaster at Coningsby, in Lincs. Part of the BBMF (the memorial flight which also includes Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Dakota amongst others). She is the one of two flying Lancasters in the World (the other one being the Canadian Heritage Lancaster, Vera). My favourite aircraft. I utterly adore the Lancaster. Over 7,000 built and only a handful surviving and two airborne.

@buonafortuna8928

2 жыл бұрын

@@susangamble6038 That's the one. Its some experience.

@susangamble6038

2 жыл бұрын

@@buonafortuna8928 can't wait. It was a retirement present in December 19 from my consultants and colleagues at the NHS. Been postponed twice! But it's now next month so... After that we're hoping to get to Coningsby to see 'Leader', the BBMF Lancaster (once she's home from Duxford, where she has been undergoing some maintenance on her tail fin). Haven't seen her for 2 years! :)

Spent a lot of my youth in West Germany (BAOR) and we used to go see the Möhne Dam for a day out. You could see where it had been repaired. Roll on another 20 or so years and I was stationed just down the road from Scampton. You just can't escape history.

@roadie3124

2 жыл бұрын

There was a BAOR sailing club on the Möhne See in the 1960s. We used to look at the patch in the dam and wonder if it was going to fail.

My uncle was a rear gunner , and survived the war . Albeit with a peg leg . Lived to a good old age.

Excellent documentary, thank you Those pilots and crews truly were heroes, it’s good their bravery isn’t forgotten

@gionncaomhinmorpheagh4791

2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree! But look how long it took the Brits to build a memorial to those incredibly brave men. MsG

This was fascinating and in parts terrifying (Imagine being that rear gunner!), but also really informative. Well done to all involved in producing this!

@chrisg2739

2 жыл бұрын

My grandfather was a tail gunner on a B17. I can only imagine how scary it must have been.

The sound of the Merlin engine. Nothing else is like it. I love that sound till the day I die. Nothing before or since has ever given so much inspiration.

Superior presentation with the cold hard reality of the task this aircraft and their crews endured. What caught my attention was this Lanc's squadron registration, 'NA'. My father was a tail gunner on this RCAF 428 'Ghost Squadron' stationed at Middleton Saint George. His principal aircraft was a Halifax , NA'J' . The squadron was transitioning to the Lancaster after his first tour. Yup, he did two tours. Our Canadian Aviation Museum in Ottawa also has a Lancaster from 428.

A very well-made, informative and respectful video. Well done to all concerned.

My fathering-law was a navigator on the Lancaster. I still have his flight logs.

Avro Lancaster, the most beautiful and efficient bomber Word War II.

Every man was a volunteer .Balls of steel.

Either way.. I wouldnt want to be stuck in one! Bless those bomber boys!

Many years ago (1978-79) I worked with a gentleman, Alan Strong, who had assembled Lancasters in the 1940s. I think he was building them at the Metropolitan Vickers factory at Trafford Park in Manchester. I seem to recall him saying that his small group of workers were turning out one per week or something like that, but I could be wrong there. I mention his name because these dedicated people working hard in the background were also heros in their own way and should not be forgotten. BTW, Alan was not a relative of mine.

@koitorob

2 жыл бұрын

My great aunt was a riveter on Lancs. She turned 100 about five weeks ago

Have been to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre on their taxiing days. The sound of four Merlins is something to behold. The bavery of the crews should never be forgotten. I have a tail wheel off one, like everything on a Lancaster it's big.

"Dark, deafening, desperately cold and deadly" would have been nicely alliterative ;) Very good video thank you!