Those of you who are avid flight simmers will be
more than aware of the name JustFlight. They have been providing add-on software
for the MSFS/CFS range of products for a number of years now. In more recent times
they can be credited with titles such as Mustang vs Fw190 and Vietnam Air War. Their
latest release "The Dambusters" depicts the 617 Squadron of RAF's Bomber Command
who found fame with its daring raids carried out during WWII, notably the
raid on the German dams. With the software having just hit the shelves,
and along with a previous publication featuring the Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight, JustFlight invited various members of both real world aviation and
flight simulation to a gathering right in the heart of what was Bomber Command
during the war, and still home to various RAF squadrons today.
The event was spread over the evening 3rd
September and most of the day on the 4th Sept. The JustFlight crew could
not have picked a more suitable venue to hold this event. When 617
Squadron was formed in the Spring of 1943, it was necessary to find suitable
accommodation for the officers. The Petwood hotel was requisitioned by the RAF
to serve this purpose. After converting back to the hotel business after the
war, it was also where we were hosted for the evening. Walking through the various
hallways, the walls are covered in pictures and paintings showing the various
exploits carried out by 617. The evening began with a reception in the
"Dambusters" bar. JustFlight had equipped the bar with a a TV and
video demonstrating the features of the Dambusters software.
The bar is an amazing place, and if you ever get the chance to pay a visit it's well worth it. It oozes history and is decorated with
pictures, documents and many artefacts from the squadron. If the walls could
talk, the bar would have a captive audience riveted to their seats listening to
the incredible stories of past events. Coming from various backgrounds in the
world aviation, it was easy to get into conversation. Subjects of conversation
varied; those in the world of real aviation wanting to know more about flight
simulation and vice-versa. After the evening meal and speeches, it was back to
the bar. The Dambusters movie was playing in the corner of the room which added
to the atmosphere. As the evening progressed into the early hours of the
morning, probably against better judgement, we found ourselves (well, those of
us still left) taking to the controls of the computer and demonstrating our
skills with the Lancaster under the watchful eye of Alex (Lead programmer) and
Paul (BBMF navigator on the Lancaster). Mention must be made about one of the
guests at this point. Mr Bob Knights. Bob was a Squadron Leader
during the war, and flew with 617 Squadron. Although not actually flying on the
dams raid, he flew on many of the subsequent raids including the Tirpitz. It
was a real pleasure to be in his company for the evening, and those who had the
chance to talk to him, were mesmerized with his war time accounts.
After the normal morning routine, it was off to RAF Coningsby
to be hosted by the BBMF and pilots from 617 as it is today. On arrival at the
airbase, we were met and escorted by Sqn Ldr Brian Clarke (who kept
a beady eye on us for the whole day) through to a briefing room. Due to being an RAF
establishment, it was necessary to be briefed on various do's and dont's and
what we could and couldn't do. As we departed the briefing, we moved outside.
The Lancaster was almost immediately in front of us along with one of the BBMF's
Spitfires just getting ready for flight. Our first port of call was to be shown
around a GR3 Tornado belonging to 617 Squadron. Many of us who have a passion
for aviation are very familiar with the likes of the Tornado, but to actually
get right up close to it and have someone at hand to answer questions is very
much a privilege. After a tour of the outside, the cockpit area was explained to
us.
AJ-J Tornado GR3 of 617 Sqn Lossimouth depicting their famous "Dambusters" motif
Making our way over to the grassed area, the
Tornado that we had just toured was brought to life and began its taxi to the
runway. After taking off and and completing its circuit, it made a low
level, wings swept high speed pass right over our heads. Pulling to an
almost vertical attitude it spiralled into the sky on its way back to RAF
Lossiemouth in Scotland. A big thanks to the Tornado crew who gave us their time
to show us around their remarkable aircraft.
The next part of the tour was for me the highlight of the whole day. We were put in the hands of Flt Lt Andy Sell who proceeded to show us out to the Lancaster bomber which was sitting very
proud in the midday sunlight. Climbing into the aircraft through the rear
entrance hatch, we were soon huddled up with Andy explaining various parts and
functions. The rear gunners turret points menacingly out of the back of the
Lancaster. Just looking at the turret, you could truly appreciate the
solitude experienced by the gunners in what has to be the most exploitable area
of the whole aircraft.
Lancaster bomber "City of Lincoln"
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The Lancaster is very deceiving in its
appearance. From the outside it looks extremely big, whereas on moving around
the inside, it is very small indeed. Having to clamber over various
bulkheads and such-like made for some interesting manoeuvres! Imagine what is
was like for the crews flying this aircraft during the war? Moving into the
cockpit area, it was a little more spacious than expected. It is surprising how
very few dials and gauges are on the aircraft's panel. to the lower right of the
cockpit is the access area to the Nose Gunner and the Bomb aimer. After exiting
the interior of the Lancaster, we moved underneath to gazed up into the very
large bomb bay. This particular Lancaster has a conventional bomb bay. Two big
opening doors and racks running the length of the bay to accommodate the various
bomb loads. There were other variants of the Lancaster which were slightly
different in design with regards to the bomb bay. Notably the Dambusters
model to hold the very distinctive mine. The other two modifications were for
the 12,000llb "Tallboy" and the 22,000llb "Grand slam".
The tour around the Lancaster was amazing. I have always been fascinated by the Lancaster, and have
read about many of its exploits during World War II. Now having been inside and
seen first hand what it was like was a dream come true. It makes you
appreciate so much more what the bomber crews had to face night after night
whilst going out on raids over hostile territory.
A short break was taken for lunch. There was
plenty of activity in the air to keep us all occupied, including two US F-15
Eagles passing overhead. Our next stop was into the hanger to view the Chipmunk,
Hurricanes and Spitfires owned by the BBMF. We had the pleasure of Sqn Ldr
Clive Rowley to guide us around the hanger. The two chipmunks owned by the BBMF
are the only two left flying with the RAF today. As explained to us, it's
an ideal trainer to allow the pilots to become accustomed with the tail dragging
characteristics which are found on the Hurricane and Spitfire.
The BBMF currently have two Hurricanes, both which are airworthy. Very much the unsung hero of the
Battle of Britain, it may not look as elegant as the Spitfire, but it certainly
proved its worth. The two variants owned by the BBMF date back to the
later stages of WWII. LF363, a MkIIc Hurricane has quite a history behind her.
Flying for the first time back in 1944, it served with various squadrons before
the end of hostilities. After the war it was used in various movies including
"Reach for the Sky" the story of Douglas Bader who lost both his legs before the
war, and went on to become quite a prolific fighter pilot before becoming a
prisoner of war at the infamous "Colditz Castle" During one particular
flight it developed serious engine trouble. Smoke pouring from all 12 of its
exhausts, its engine finally quit and the pilot attempted to land. The aircraft
was almost completely wrecked, but after almost a complete rebuild it was back in the
skies seven years later. Its current paint scheme is that of No 56 (F) Squadron.
Its emblem is a very appropriate "Phoenix rising from the Ashes". The second
Hurricane is again a Mk IIc, and was the very last of 14,533 to come off the
production line.
The proud Spitfires of the BBMF
There are in total six Spitfires in the BBMF
hanger, five of which belong to BBMF, and a 2 seater which is privately owned.
Of the five Spitfires owned, one of them is the oldest flying Spitfire in the
world. Having seen active service during the Battle of Britain, you can
still see the repairs made after being hit by enemy gun fire. Each of the
Spitfires has history in its own right, but to continue would fill about another
two pages!
Our final event for the day was a tour around the
Air to Air variant of the Tornado. Under the watchful eye of Sqn Ldr Paul
Wilkins we were shown up close what the F3 Tornado is all about. I actually
got to sit in the "driving seat" of this Tornado. Although quite cramped, it is
comfortable... for about five minutes!!
Well folks, I can honestly say, that has to be
one of the best days I have experienced in the field of Aviation. The people who
I met, the hospitality shown both by the JustFlight crew, the two pilots from
617 Squadron and the members of the BBMF was second to none. For someone who has
a passion for aviation and a love for the old WWII aircraft, the event was a
dream come true. Since I started writing this report, I have had an email from
one of the navigators who flies on the Lancaster. I am sure you wont mind Paul,
but I thought a few of your words really summed up the dedication you guys put
in to hosting a visit like ours. "Showing people around is never a chore when people are genuinely interested and
knowledgeable about their subject. It was my pleasure."
Final thanks must go to Mungo and
his JustFlight motley crew. It was a once in a lifetime event, and I am
extremely grateful to have been invited to attend.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
