Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) has announced that it will take its Avro Lancaster aloft for a commemorative tour to mark 75th anniversary of the Dambusters raid and the 100th anniversary of the RAF.
The event, currently scheduled for May 16, will reportedly see Lancaster PA474 fly over the Dambusters’ original base at RAF Scampton before proceeding down the Derwent Valley to the Rolls Royce Factory at Derby and finally Eyebrook Reservoir. The aircraft will reportedly perform two passes of the valley over the Derwent Dam starting at 12:05pm.
Known as “Operation Chastise,” the Dambusters raid saw 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron attack a number of German dams, resulting in severe flooding that destroyed or damaged power stations, factories and mines. The dams of the Derwent Valley and Eyebrook Reservoir were among the practice sites used in preparation for the raid.
The routes that will be used to witness the flight are expected to be congested and information has been released here and here to aid those wishing to attend.
(via BBMF Photo: Mark Harkin via Wikimedia Commons)
