11 May 2009

BBMF Lancaster saved by the Luftwaffe!

The Luftwaffe has come to the aid of the BBMF Lancaster 'Phantom of the Rhur' during a recent flypast in Holland. After completing its flypast to commemorate food drops towards end of WWII, PA474 landed at Amsterdam's Schiphol, Airport and developed a serious problem in one of it's Merlins.

The engine became unservicable and due to RAF commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq there were no transports available to fly a spare engine out, the Flight considered sending their Dakota out to Holland, but after a plea for help the Luftwaffe sent a Transall cargo plane to Conningsby to collect the engine and ferry it to the Netherlands.

Squadron Leader Al Pinner, CO of the Memorial Flight, said: “The irony did strike home but it was a wonderful symbol of co-operation.”