Tag: Dambusters

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Upcoming Book Details 617 Squadron’s Tragic Raid

In their upcoming book The Lost Dambuster Lancaster: The Story of 617 Squadron’s Attack on Hitler’s V2 Rocket Site authors Trevor Kerry and Gaëtan Sagot tell the story of 617 Squadron’s 1944 Tallboy raid on the V2 site at Wizernes and the tragic loss of Lancaster DV403.

On 24 June 1944, eighteen aircraft from 617 Squadron took off to attack the V2 rocket site at Wizernes, now known as La Coupole. During the raid, Lancaster DV403 was hit by flak, killing several crew members and forcing the others to bail out as the damaged plane crashed in nearby fields. Amid the wreckage, Resistance member André Schamp courageously aided a wounded airman and searched for survivors.

The story of DV403 has been recently honoured in France on the 80th anniversary, with an exhibition, lectures and a wayside interpretation board compiled by the authors, who have encouraged strong involvement of crewmen’s families in the evolving narrative. This is the story of their fate that night, as well as of 617 Squadron’s attack on the V2 site as a whole.

The 248 page title is currently available for pre-order with an expected release date of January 10.

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Wingnut Wings Shares First Model/Sprue Images For Upcoming 1/32 Lancaster Kit

Wingnut Wings has released the first model / sprue images for their upcoming 1/32 Avro Lancaster kit.

Two kits will reportedly be available, including a B.Mk.I/III and a B.Mk.III “Dambusters.” The B.Mk.I/III (32043) will feature a highly detailed RR Merlin XX (for B.Mk.1) or Packard V-1650-1 Merlin 28 (for B.Mk.III), optional early and late tailwheels, unweighted or weighted (with full bomb load) main wheels, H2s radar, 500lb (UK and USA), 1000lb, 4000lb “Cookie” and SBC bombs, FN.20 or FN.120 rear turret with optional cut away perspex, early and late bomb aimer’s blisters and windows and early DH.5/40 (needle) and late A5/138 (paddle) type propellers and spinners. Optional dummy engine blocks will also be included so you don’t need to assemble complete engines to build the model. Continue reading Wingnut Wings Shares First Model/Sprue Images For Upcoming 1/32 Lancaster Kit

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Wingnut Wings Announces Development of 1/32 Avro Lancaster Model Kit

At the Tokyo Hobby Show, New Zealand model developer Wingnut Wings announced the development of a new Avro Lancaster model kit in 1/32 scale.

The upcoming kit (32044) will reportedly represent a B.Mk.III “Dambusters” machine and will mark the company’s first foray into WW2 aircraft kits. From the look of the images above, the model will include a great deal of detail, including the “bouncing bomb” used for the raid, which 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 Wingnut Wings Lancaster is currently slated for release sometime in late 2019.

(Wingnut Wings via AeroScale and Scalemates)

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Fundraising Campaign Launched to Recover Remains of Last Dambusters Lancaster

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to recover the remains of Avro Lancaster NF920 “Easy Elsie” from the site where it crash landed during WW2.

The aircraft came to rest in a swamp near Projus, Sweden on October 29, 1944 after being struck by anti-aircraft fire while attempting to bomb the battleship Tirpitz as part of “Operation Obviate.” The crew escaped without serious injury and the machine’s remains were abandoned, remaining at the site until the present day.

The aircraft is said to be the last remaining example of the type from the famous Dambusters 617 Squadron, and the wreck is in jeopardy after being “ravaged by war, time, vandals and souvenir hunters.” Continue reading Fundraising Campaign Launched to Recover Remains of Last Dambusters Lancaster

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BBMF Announces Lancaster Tour to Commemorate Dambusters Anniversary

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)