Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre facts for kids
Lancaster NX611 in front of the museum's buildings (2007)
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| Established | 1988 |
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| Location | East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, England |
| Type | Military aviation museum |
| Visitors | 40,000 per year |
The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is an exciting aviation museum located in East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, England. It first opened its doors to the public in 1988. Two brothers, Fred and Harold Panton, who were farmers from Lincolnshire, created the museum. They wanted it to be a special memorial to their older brother, Christopher Whitton Panton. Christopher was a brave airman who sadly died during a mission in the Second World War.
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History of the Museum
Christopher Panton was a Flight Engineer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. On the night of March 30-31, 1944, he was flying in a Handley Page Halifax bomber. They were part of a huge attack on the German city of Nuremberg. This mission became known as "Black Friday" because so many planes were lost. Out of 782 bombers, 108 British aircraft were shot down. Many aircrew were killed or captured. Christopher's plane was one of those lost. It caught fire and exploded after being attacked by an enemy night fighter.
In the early 1970s, Christopher's younger brothers, Fred and Harold, were successful poultry farmers. They wanted to buy a Second World War aircraft to honor their brother. They found an Avro Lancaster bomber, NX611, which was being used as a display plane at RAF Scampton. They bought it, but it had to stay at Scampton until 1983.
In 1981, the brothers bought part of an old Royal Air Force airfield called RAF East Kirkby. This was going to be the new home for their Lancaster. The plane was finally moved there in 1987 and has been there ever since. The Lancaster is still the main attraction, but the museum has added many other amazing exhibits and aircraft over the years.
The airfield itself was built in 1943. It was a base for bomber planes during the war. Two RAF squadrons, No. 57 Squadron RAF and No. 630 Squadron RAF, used it from 1943 until the war ended. After the war, the United States Air Force used it for air rescue for four years. Military use stopped in 1958, and the airfield was sold in 1964. Today, much of the runway is still there and is used by local farmers.
In 2008, the museum opened a small airfield that allows planes to land with special permission. The Prime Meridian, an imaginary line that divides the Earth, passes right through the museum site. Its exact spot is marked by a special monument. There is also a monument honoring the airmen from 57 and 630 Squadron who died during the war.
Lancaster NX611 (Just Jane)
The most famous plane at the museum is the Avro Lancaster Mk VII, NX611. It is lovingly known as Just Jane. This name comes from a popular cartoon character from the Second World War.
Just Jane was built in April 1945. It was meant to fly missions against Japan as part of a group called the RAF's Tiger Force. However, the war ended before it could see any action. For several years, it was stored away. Then, it was one of 54 Lancasters sold to the French government. It was used by the French Naval Aviation for looking over the sea and for air-sea rescue missions. They even removed its top gun turret and added radar and equipment to carry a special Airborne lifeboat.
The French forces used Just Jane over the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans. Later, it was moved to the Pacific. In 1964, the French gave the plane to a group called the Historical Aircraft Preservation Society. They flew it back to the United Kingdom and used it for several years. But the society couldn't afford to keep it flying, so it was put up for auction in 1972. The Panton brothers tried to buy it then, but they didn't succeed. Instead, it became a display plane at RAF Scampton. The Pantons were later able to buy it, but it had to stay at Scampton until 1983. It actually stayed there until 1987.
In 1987, NX611 was finally brought to East Kirkby. It was given the name Just Jane, and a big project to restore it began in 1992. Its powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engines were brought back to working order. Today, Just Jane does regular taxi runs, where it moves along the runway. These runs help raise money to keep the plane in good condition and continue its restoration. In 2011, Just Jane was even featured in an episode of the TV show Doctor Who called The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe.
The museum is working hard to get Just Jane flying again. This is a big project that takes a lot of time and money. As of the end of 2021, the aircraft is still being restored.
Other Amazing Aircraft
The museum also has other interesting aircraft parts and planes:
- The cockpit of an English Electric Canberra WH957.
- The wreckage of a Supermarine Spitfire Vb BL655. This plane crashed in July 1943, and its Canadian pilot, Flying Officer Norman Alexander Watt, sadly died.
- Two aircraft are currently being restored to be displayed: a Percival Proctor and a Handley Page Hampden.
- A De Havilland Mosquito HJ711 that can move on the ground (taxi).
- An airworthy Dakota RFH4H7 called "Drag Em Oot".
Other Cool Exhibits
The centre has a collection of twelve ground vehicles from the Second World War era that were used by the RAF. They also have a practice Upkeep bomb (bouncing bomb), which is filled with concrete.
You can also see a working 60 cm German anti-aircraft searchlight with its generator. This was used to spot enemy planes at night.
See also
- List of aerospace museums
