At least for me, this is the single most awe-inspiring exhibit (amongst many) at the RAF Museum. The venerable R5868 flew 137 combat missions making her the most successful extant Lancaster.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypast at the Leuchars Airshow comprising Lancaster PA474, Spitfire MK356 and Hurricane PZ865.

Timeless! The BoBMF Lancaster was a fitting tribute to 'The Few' at RIAT 2010 on the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. We owe them so much.

From a total of over 7,300 Lancasters produced during WWII only 35 completed more than 100 combat missions. The highest number (140) was achieved by ED888, yet she was tragically not selected for preservation and scrapped during Jan. 1947. The venerable R5868 flew 137 combat missions making her the most successful Lancaster still extant.

The famous 'G for George' joined 460 Squadron RAF at Breighton in October 1942. 'Retired' in April 1944 after 89 operations, the Squadron's oldest surviving aircraft. Flown to Australia in Oct-Nov 1944 for a publicity tour and then to join the AWM collection. Allocated RAAF serial A66-2. Installed in the AWM in 1955, but removed for restoration 1999-2003.

PA474 is seen at the airfield where many Lancasters were built, Woodford, Cheshire. It was always one of the first aircraft to arrive for the annual airshow and in those days there were still a few people working in the factory who had been involved in their construction who were pleased to give advice on problems. The livery has changed over the years and the mid upper turret was missing at that time. One was located at a Woodford Airshow as a result of a joking request during the display !

About to depart RIAT 2012

Whilst renovation work was being carried out on the Imperial War Museum in London sopme exhibits were moved to Duxford for storage, this being one of them.

The prototype Avro Lancaster made its maiden flight from Ringway on 9 January 1941. To mark that important event and also the airports 50th anniversary on 25 June 1988, the BBMF Lancaster revisited the type's birthplace that day.

Developed from the twin-engined Avro Manchester and first flown in 1941, the Lancaster heavy bomber could weigh in at over 30 tonnes. 7,377 Lancasters were built, equipping no less than 56 Bomber Command squadrons by 1945.