The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is a family run museum and was set up in 1989. It is now widely seen as a living memorial to the 55,573 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives during WW2. It holds two of the rarest aircraft, an Avro Lancaster Bomber MKVII and DH Mosquito NFII, in its collection along with many wartime vehicles including a Ford WOT1 Crew Bus, the only one of its kind in existence.
The owners feel that Bomber Command has never been given the recognition that it deserves and they see it as their job to educate both old and young as to the acts of heroism and dedication shown by Bomber Command throughout the Second World War.
The average age of air crew, each man a volunteer, was 22 and not even 1 in 4 completed their first tour of 30 operations, most definitely a debt that we cannot repay but also a debt that should not be forgotten.
The Heritage Centre is based on the old wartime airfield of RAF East Kirkby and retains the original 1940's Control Tower and the Hangar is built on the original wartime hangar base. The Museum is built up entirely around RAF Bomber Command and is expanding every year. It is their common ambition to fully rebuild it to a complete original wartime airfield preserving the memory of Bomber Command for many years to come.
We were not quite sure of what we would see on this visit, but as it was not a huge distance from Kirton, (at East Kirkby) we decided to pay a visit. Although we went on a casual visit, we were very fortunate to arrive on a day when the Lancaster was being brought out for some taxi runs down the grass runway, while paying people enjoyed a ride and are able to explore the whole aircraft internally.
Avro Lancaster Bomber MKVII being moved from the hanger
Getting ready!
Engines all started (the noise!) and moving down the grass
Making its way back to the spectator area
A couple of images of identification. It really was worth seeing so close and to hear of their aims and achievments so far.
From their website I have copied their aims for the restoration:
Restoring Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane' to airworthy condition
The future for NX611
The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is currently working through a programme of restoration with Avro Lancaster NX611 with the aim of taking her to an airworthy condition.
It has been our ultimate ambition to be able to restore NX611 to an airworthy condition but also keep her accessible for the general public to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere created by a Lancaster. For us to keep NX611 as a credible 'peoples memorial' to Bomber Command available to many people, no matter their background or financial situation (After all those that flew with Bomber Command came from every imaginable background) we must strike a healthy balance between keeping her in a good condition but also allowing the public to experience her.
The aircraft is being worked through part by part on a long term restoration project with progress being made throughout the years while NX611 continues to taxy from March to November. The whole project is estimated to cost £4million all of which is being raised through museum admission fees, donations and Lancaster taxy rides.
Throughout the restoration process we will continue to taxy NX611 for demonstration and public taxy rides, even once NX611 is restored to an airworthy condition it would continue to be available to the public for taxy rides and internal tours, we are aiming to keep it as accessible as it currently is.
Overall, a great day out and well worth the visit.
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