Bennett & The Pathfinders
KEEPING A LANCASTER FLYING
Lancasters and Mosquitoes were the main PFF aircraft. The picture below, though not specifically of a PFF Lancaster, gives some idea of the personnel needed to keep these magnificent aircraft operational.
Lancasters and Mosquitoes were the main PFF aircraft. The picture below, though not specifically of a PFF Lancaster, gives some idea of the personnel needed to keep these magnificent aircraft operational.
David Layne discovered this gem, and wrote to me in April 2008:
You asked some time ago for a picture relating to the personnel required for keeping a Lancaster in the air. I knew somewhere that I had seen one and could visualize it perfectly. About three weeks ago I found the picture for sale on e-bay at a ridiculous price. The seller stated that the picture came from the estate of a person associated with the Daily Herald.
Yesterday when searching for a Churchill/ Lancaster picture I opened one of my Lancaster books that I have not looked at for years and there it was again, just as I remembered it. That book is "Lancaster-The Story Of A Famous Bomber" by Bruce Robertson, published by Harleyford in 1965.
I hope this clears that up. I don't know who to tell you to give credit to for the photograph, to me that is such a gray area.
Thanks as always, David.
You asked some time ago for a picture relating to the personnel required for keeping a Lancaster in the air. I knew somewhere that I had seen one and could visualize it perfectly. About three weeks ago I found the picture for sale on e-bay at a ridiculous price. The seller stated that the picture came from the estate of a person associated with the Daily Herald.
Yesterday when searching for a Churchill/ Lancaster picture I opened one of my Lancaster books that I have not looked at for years and there it was again, just as I remembered it. That book is "Lancaster-The Story Of A Famous Bomber" by Bruce Robertson, published by Harleyford in 1965.
I hope this clears that up. I don't know who to tell you to give credit to for the photograph, to me that is such a gray area.
Thanks as always, David.
Top left: Petrol bowser and crew
Top Right: Mobile workshop and crew
Second row down:
Corporal mechanic, four aircraftsmen (mechanics), engineer officer, fitter (armourer), three armourers, radio mechanic, two instrument repairers, three bomb handlers, fitter
Top Right: Mobile workshop and crew
Second row down:
Corporal mechanic, four aircraftsmen (mechanics), engineer officer, fitter (armourer), three armourers, radio mechanic, two instrument repairers, three bomb handlers, fitter
Third row from bottom: Bomb train with W.A.A.F. driver and bombing-up crew
Second row from bottom: Flight maintenance crew, from left as follows:
N.C.O. fitter, mechanic, N.C.O. fitter, five mechanics, electrical mechanic, instrument repairer, two radio mechanics
Bottom row, from left: Flying control officer, W.A.A.F. parachute packer, meteorological officer
And then the aircrew:
pilot, navigator, air bomber, flight engineer, wireless operator/air gunner, two air gunners
Second row from bottom: Flight maintenance crew, from left as follows:
N.C.O. fitter, mechanic, N.C.O. fitter, five mechanics, electrical mechanic, instrument repairer, two radio mechanics
Bottom row, from left: Flying control officer, W.A.A.F. parachute packer, meteorological officer
And then the aircrew:
pilot, navigator, air bomber, flight engineer, wireless operator/air gunner, two air gunners