Lancaster PA474 arrived with the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) at Duxford on 31st October. BBMF technicians then carried out engine ground runs and inhibited the engines, after which the aircraft was defueled and the oil and coolant tanks and radiators drained. The Lancaster was then weighed before ARCo began the aircraft’s extensive Major maintenance programme.
One of the first tasks was to remove all three of the gun turrets for checks of any corrosion affecting the turret rings or other hidden areas. No issues were found.
Right: All three of the gun turrets are now out of the aircraft (Photos: BBMF)
All four Merlin engines and their associated radiators and oil coolers have now been removed. One of the engines will be fitted to BBMF’s Hurricane PZ865 which requires an engine change, whilst a recently overhauled engine is to be provided for the Lancaster by Retro Track and Air.
The Lancaster was initially positioned in the ARCo hangar with its tail towards the back of the hangar, so that a crane could gain access to remove the engines at the front. With the engines now out, the Lancaster will be repositioned nose first into the hangar, the position it will be for the next 12 months or so. The rudders, fins and tail planes will be removed along with the tail wheel leg, and the fuselage jacked in preparation for splitting the fuselage at the transport joint behind the mid-upper turret.
In preparation for splitting the fuselage to facilitate replacing the elevator and rudder control tubes, the rear fuselage wiring and piping has been disconnected, and the rear floor has been removed. Trestles and trestle frames to support the removed rear fuselage are being borrowed from the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby. Meanwhile, the replacement elevator and rudder control tubes have been received back from anodising, ready to fit.
Many of the Lancaster’s access panels have now been removed, cleaned and inspected to assess whether any repairs are required.
