Avro Lancaster PA474 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Avro Lancaster PA474 |
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| Type | Avro Lancaster |
| Serial | PA474 |
| Owners and operators | Royal Air Force |
| In service | 1945-present |
| Status | Airworthy |
| Preserved at | Based at RAF Coningsby |
Avro Lancaster PA474 is a famous four-engined bomber from the Second World War. It is flown by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This special aircraft helps us remember all the brave people who served in Bomber Command during the war. PA474 is very unique because it is one of only two Lancasters in the world that can still fly! The other one is in Canada.
Contents
The Story of PA474
Built for Action
PA474 was built in 1945 by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. It was made at their factory near Chester. This plane was meant to join a British air force called "Tiger Force." This force was going to bomb targets in the Far East. But the war with Japan ended before PA474 was needed. So, the aircraft was put into storage.
New Jobs for the Lancaster
After the war, PA474 had a few different jobs. Its gun turrets were removed. It then became a photographic reconnaissance plane. This means it took pictures from the sky. It flew with 82 Squadron in East and South Africa.
Later, PA474 was loaned to a company called Flight Refuelling Limited. They wanted to use it as a pilotless drone. But they ended up using a different plane instead. PA474 then went to the College of Aeronautics in Cranfield. Here, it was used for special tests. They tested new wing designs by attaching them vertically above the plane's back.
Movie Star and Restoration
In 1964, PA474 was taken over by the Air Historical Branch. They thought about putting it in a new RAF Museum. During this time, the aircraft appeared in two movies! These were Operation Crossbow and The Guns of Navarone.
PA474 was stored in different places. Then, in 1965, 44 Squadron asked for it. The Lancaster moved to RAF Waddington. Here, it was restored to its wartime look. This included putting its front and rear gun turrets back on.
Flying High Again
In 1973, PA474 joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. In 1975, a mid-upper gun turret was found in Argentina. This turret was then fitted onto PA474. In the winter of 1995, the Lancaster got a new main spar. This part helps the wings stay strong. It was replaced to help the plane fly safely for many more years.
On May 7, 2015, the aircraft had a small fire in one of its engines. Luckily, it landed safely at RAF Coningsby. It flew again on October 12, 2015. This was after a lot of work to fix the damage. It was later announced that with good care, PA474 should be able to fly until 2065!
Special companies like the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) help keep PA474 in great shape. They do big maintenance jobs. For example, in 2021, PA474 spent 10 months with them for an overhaul.
See also
- List of surviving Avro Lancasters
Images for kids
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PA474 flying with a Hawker Hurricane
