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Legendary Aircraft

In early May of 2013 my son Ross and I headed south for a few days in Bomber County, Lincolnshire staying at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. During WW2 this was the Officers Mess for 617 Sqn RAF and the hotel still oozes atmosphere and nostalgia, the RAF Ensign flies above the building. We visited Robin Hood Airport, formerly RAF Finningley near Doncaster for a tour of Avro Vulcan XH558. Then we went to RAF Coningsby for a tour of the RAF's Memorial Flight hangar. On the second day we went to nearby East Kirkby, a former Wartime RAF airfield and now the home of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and its resident Avro Lancaster NX611 where I was to have a taxy ride for my 50th birthday.
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  • The main entrance to the Petwood Hotel.

    The main entrance to the Petwood Hotel.

  • The Petwood Hotel.

    The Petwood Hotel.

  • The Petwood Hotel.

    The Petwood Hotel.

  • The Petwood Hotel.

    The Petwood Hotel.

  • The Petwood Hotel.

    The Petwood Hotel.

  • The memorial to the aircrew of 617 Sqn who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operations in WW2.

    The memorial to the aircrew of 617 Sqn who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operations in WW2.

  • The 617 Sqn Memorial.

    The 617 Sqn Memorial.

  • The Squadron's WW2 Battle Honours.

    The Squadron's WW2 Battle Honours.

  • Their names shall liveth for evermore. Lest We Forget.

    Their names shall liveth for evermore. Lest We Forget.

  • Their names shall liveth for evermore. Lest We Forget.

    Their names shall liveth for evermore. Lest We Forget.

  • The Memorial is located by the crossroads in the town of Woodhall Spa.

    The Memorial is located by the crossroads in the town of Woodhall Spa.

  • Avro Vulcan XH558 in its hangar at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, formerly RAF Finningley. This airframe was based here for a period during its RAF service. Vulcan XH558 first flew in 1960, and was one of the few examples converted for a maritime reconnaissance role in 1973, and then again as an air-to-air refuelling tanker in 1982. After withdrawal in 1984 it continued with the RAF's Vulcan Display Flight, performing until 1992.

    Avro Vulcan XH558 in its hangar at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, formerly RAF Finningley. This airframe was based here for a period during its RAF service. Vulcan XH558 first flew in 1960, and was one of the few examples converted for a maritime reconnaissance role in 1973, and then again as an air-to-air refuelling tanker in 1982. After withdrawal in 1984 it continued with the RAF's Vulcan Display Flight, performing until 1992.

  • Looking up into the cockpit, no access was allowed.

    Looking up into the cockpit, no access was allowed.

  • The port side leading edge, note the angles.

    The port side leading edge, note the angles.

  • The former bomb aimers position is taken by a teddy bear!

    The former bomb aimers position is taken by a teddy bear!

  • Looking back towards the front undercarriage.

    Looking back towards the front undercarriage.

  • The aircraft was named "The Spirit of Great Britain" in 2010.

    The aircraft was named "The Spirit of Great Britain" in 2010.

  • The starboard side intakes for the two Rolls Royce Olympus 202 jet engines.

    The starboard side intakes for the two Rolls Royce Olympus 202 jet engines.

  • Looking up into the front undercarriage bay.

    Looking up into the front undercarriage bay.

  • The front undercarriage bay.

    The front undercarriage bay.

  • The bomb bay with the names of people who have donated towards various fundraising initiatives.

    The bomb bay with the names of people who have donated towards various fundraising initiatives.

  • Part of the bomb bay.

    Part of the bomb bay.

  • Some of the names carried on the bomb bay doors. Look for the name Ross Hathaway.

    Some of the names carried on the bomb bay doors. Look for the name Ross Hathaway.

  • A closer view of my son Ross' name.

    A closer view of my son Ross' name.

  • Ross points to his name.

    Ross points to his name.

  • Another view of the bomb bay. During the period this airframe flew as a tanker, the bay carried a fuel tank.

    Another view of the bomb bay. During the period this airframe flew as a tanker, the bay carried a fuel tank.

  • The port side main undercarriage, note how small the wheels actually are.

    The port side main undercarriage, note how small the wheels actually are.

  • The port side main undercarriage.

    The port side main undercarriage.

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