Saturday 16 March saw a repeat of the popular Special Access Photography Event at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. Despite the appalling weather conditions, the event was well attended by around 100 photographers looking to obtain clear shots of Avro Lancaster NX611 Just Jane, along with all those angles and close-ups that just are not possible to see during a normal taxying day.
Adding to the nature of the event was a large contingent of living history re-enactors, from groups such as MECo, Summer of ’44, B’5 Bomber Boys and An Airfield Somewhere. The professionalism and dedication shown by these ladies and gentlemen despite the extremely cold wind and heavy rain blowing across the airfield was appreciated by all present. Towards the end of the day the weather did improve; well it stopped raining at least! One little detail that may have been missed was the hanging of a replica 250lb bomb in the bomb bay. This is the first time since the Lancaster’s ferry flight from Australia in 1965 that anything has been hung there (during the ferry flight a 400 gallon fuel tank was installed in the bay). Future Lancaster taxying at East Kirkby will feature mounted 250lb bombs and a 4000lb ‘Cookie’ in the bomb bay, certainly a unique feature on any currently serviceable Lancaster!