Thank you to everyone who took part in the Lancaster Challenge. It was a hugely successful event and we are delighted that so many of you took part. The Challenge is now closed, but if you have any questions relating to medals or t-shirts please email info@nice-work.org.uk or if you would like to ask anything else please email lancasterchallenge@rafmuseum.org.uk.

 

The Legacy of the Lancaster

Join Maggie Appleton, CEO of the RAF Museum, and an exciting panel of guests for an emotional discussion on the Legacy of the Avro Lancaster. We will be joined by RAF Museum historian Dr Harry Raffal, John Nichol bestselling author and RAF Veteran, Flight Lieutenant Seb Davey from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and Andrew Panton, from the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.  

This year marks 80 years since the Avro Lancaster took its first flight. There are thousands of people across the country taking part in our Lancaster Challenge to mark this significant anniversary and celebrate the stories of the crews and the significant aircraft they flew. As part of our mission to bring RAF stories to life we have curated this very special talk. 

More about our speakers and host:

Maggie Appleton is the RAF Museum’s CEO with a very special connection to Lancaster aircraft.

Dr Harry Raffal the Historian at the Royal Air Force Museum with responsibility for furthering the historiography of the RAF. Harry’s research includes air power history, military culture, armed forces recruitment and digital history. Harry has published on the online development of the MoD and Armed Forces and his book, Air Power and the Evacuation of Dunkirk, will be out this summer.

Flight Lieutenant Seb Davey is a Display Captain and Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) on the Lancaster and Dakota for the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby. In his front-line role, Seb is a QFI on the Airbus A400M with XXIV Sqn at RAF Brize Norton. Seb has served 22 years in the Royal Air Force to date and flew C-130J Hercules aircraft previously.

John Nichol is a former RAF Tornado Navigator, Gulf War veteran and Sunday Times bestselling author. His recent book Lancaster: Forging of a Very British Legend is out now and highly recommended.

Andrew Panton heads up the team, at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, who is responsible for restoring Lancaster VII NX611 to airworthy condition. They are currently in year 3 of a 10 year project. Read more information about this amazing project and how you can support it.

An interview with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

On the 7 May 2020, the RAF Museum partnered with Royal Air Force Coningsby and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) to share 360 cockpit images on our Facebook page, of both the RAF Museum Lancaster R5868 and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster PA474.

Although the basic cockpit layout is the same, the BBMF example now features a dual control layout and revised instrumentation. This exclusive look inside the cockpits allowed our social media followers to compare the subtle differences between both aircraft, and the chance to ask BBMF Bomber Leader, Flt Lt Neil Farrell questions.

Click here to download and read the full article

 

RAF Stories 

If you have your own story to share about Lancaster's, Bomber Crew or the RAF, then please head to the RAF Stories site to learn how you can add your story. 

How to add your story

Stories about the Lancaster