Lancaster servicing.

[jamesg23]

I heard today that the next servicing on the lancaster would be a major service. My question is where would this be done and how long would it take? Would it be possible to do it over the winter period?

[Vulcanone]

The last I heard was they are flying it to Duxford after the 2015 season ends and doing it there.

Not sure if that's still the plan

Tim S

[jamesg23]

The last I heard was they are flying it to Duxford after the 2015 season ends and doing it there.

Not sure if that's still the plan

Tim S

Thanks for info. Do you have an idea of time frame for a major?

[Vulcanone]

I think the RAF serviced it over the winter of 1994/95 adding a new wings spar from memory in the process. so I would guess September - April maybe??

Tim S

[Agent K]

I think the RAF serviced it over the winter of 1994/95 adding a new wings spar from memory in the process. so I would guess September - April maybe??

Tim S

Wasn't this done by Atlantic Airways/Air Atlantique in the Hangars at Coventry if memory serves me correctly?

[Richard B]

Pretty sure a major was done at Coventry about 4 years ago.

[Andy_99]

Or was it the paint job was last done in Coventry ?

[Sparts99]

From memory the wing spar replacement was the first time a Lanc had had a main spar replaced, it was a modified Shackleton one, I think they did it at Coningsby but I could be wrong. I doubt they'll be going as deep as that at the next service.

[Bushpilot]

Lincs Lanc Association were selling bits of the spar - there's a piece sitting on my shelf

[Stug]

From memory the wing spar replacement was the first time a Lanc had had a main spar replaced, it was a modified Shackleton one, I think they did it at Coningsby but I could be wrong. I doubt they'll be going as deep as that at the next service.

The spar and major overhaul was done by Air Atlantique, Coventry winter 2006.

[Vulcanone]

Thanks Stug,

That was possibly the tailplane spars from memory, but I can say that my late former colleague at The Key Publishing archive Robert Rudhall wrote an article on the re-spar work the RAF did in the years I mention earlier.

I have the article somewhere, in amongst many piles of aircraft reference....


Tim S

[RJ51]

About 20 years ago the main spar of PA474 was replaced by BAe / BAE Systems at there Chaderton facility north of Manchester. The work since has been painting and various levels of overhaul and smaller replacement work. Another new main spar is not required for an aircraft that does so few hours / sorties.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

I think the RAF serviced it over the winter of 1994/95 adding a new wings spar from memory in the process. so I would guess September - April maybe??

Tim S

To consolidate and tidy up dates:

1995/96 - major at St Athan but wing re-spar done at Chadderton (since bulldozed...)
2006/07 - major at Air Atlantique.

Next wing re-spar due in about 20 years time (unless aircraft reverts to wartime role...).