Beautiful photos of the Lancaster.
There is a fine example of one of these on display at MOTAT (the Museum of Technology and Transportation) in Auckland. I understand it is intact and still airworthy but has not been flown for quite some time (corrections, please anyone?)
You actually have to walk up to one of these to realize their scale: they are MASSIVE. If I didn't know any better, I'd wonder if it be possible that such a contraption could dare to fly!
The other thing that is striking is the lack of technology as we would understand it: this is a very lo-tech machine, stripped of nearly every unnecessary weight and convenience -- all the better to hold bombs aloft!
And the craftsmanship: these are beautifully built, by hand. Each rivet lovingly put in place and formed. This is a machine made of metal, not plastic.
(Those were my thoughts when seeing one up-close for the first time, last week)
I marvel at and salute the courage of the pilots and crew of the R*AF who had the balls to strap one of these things onto their backs and fly them into Harm's Way!
*DieHard*
DieHard!! Man it is so good to see you!!