Preliminaries
Page 6
History
PA474 is one of only two Lancasters remaining in airworthy condition
out of the 7377 that were built. She was built in Chester in mid-1945 and
was earmarked for the ‘Tiger Force’ in the Far East. However, the war
with Japan ended before she could take part in any hostilities. She was
therefore assigned to Photographic Reconnaissance duties with No 82
Squadron in the Far East and South Africa. While operating with No 82
Squadron, PA 474 had her turrets removed.
On return to the UK PA474 was loaned to Flight Refuelling at Tarrant
Rushton to be used as a pilotless drone. However, before the conversion
started, the Air Ministry decided to use a Lincoln instead and PA474 was
transferred to the Royal College of Aeronautics where she was used for
trials on the Handley Page Laminar Flow wing.
In 1964 she was adopted by the Air Historical Branch (AHB) for future
display in the proposed RAF Museum at Hendon and was flown to
Wroughton where she was painted in a camouflage paint scheme. During
this period PA474 also took part in 2 films, ‘Operation Crossbow’ and
the ‘Guns of Navarone’. Later in 1964 she was moved to RAF Henlow
in preparation for display at the RAF Museum.
The first unit to be equipped with Lancasters was No 44 Squadron and in
1965 the Commanding Officer of this unit sought permission from the AHB
for PA474 to be transferred to the care of the Squadron. An inspection
found the aircraft was structurally sound and permission was granted for
PA474 to make a single flight from Henlow to Waddington.
At Waddington a restoration programme on PA474 began, that would take
several years to complete. By 1966 work was progressing well and both
the front and rear turrets were in place. Permission to fly PA474 regularly
was granted in 1967. The aircraft eventually joined the Battle of Britain
Memorial Flight in November 1973. A mid-upper turret was discovered
in Argentina and fitted in 1975. During 1995/6 PA474 received a brand
new main spar, extending her life for the foreseeable future.
After major servicing in 2006/7, PA474 wears the markings of EE139, the
‘Phantom of the Ruhr’, a ton-up Lancaster that flew her first 30 ops with
No 100 Squadron and then 91 ops with No 550 Squadron. She sports
the letters HW-R of ‘The Ton’ on her port side and BQ-B of 550 on her
starboard, effectively commemorating the crews of both Squadrons.
UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT - NOT FOR USE IN FLIGHT OR TO BE PRINTED
UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT - NOT FOR USE IN FLIGHT OR TO BE PRINTED
