Lancaster’s anniversary flight halted by weather

Conditions too dangerous for iconic Second World War bomber but it’s not too windy for a Typhoon

A planned Lancaster Bomber flight yesterday to mark the Dam Busters’ 75th anniversary was cancelled due to windy conditions.

The flyover was instead conducted by a 29 Squadron Typhoon aircraft after weather conditions, particularly the wind, were considered too dangerous for the BBMF Lancaster, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight statement said.

The Lancaster was scheduled to fly over RAF Scampton – the original home of the Dam Busters squadron – as well as the Derwent Dam in Derbyshire’s Peak District, the Rolls-royce factory in Derby and Eyebrook Reservoir in Leicestershire.

Thousands of spectators were expected to visit the dam to watch the flypast despite the Lancaster no longer taking to the skies.

The event marked 75 years since the Dam Busters raid during the Second World War – which was formally known as Operation Chastise.

A statement from the Battle of Britain Memorial said: “Knowing many people had made plans to travel to watch the planned Lancaster flight to mark the 75th anniversary of 617 Squadron’s raid on German dams, when it was confirmed that the wind conditions were well beyond the limits the Lancaster is placed under, the Royal Air Force has arranged for a 29 Sqn Typhoon from RAF Coningsby to fly as much of the route as is possible.

“We are so sorry to disappoint those who wished to see our Lancaster fly as once those original 617 Sqn aircraft did but hope you will enjoy the might and speed of world class, multi-role Typhoon.

“The BBMF Lancaster is one of only two airworthy in the world. In order to preserve her in airworthy condition so that she can continue to commemorate those who gave so much for this country there are strict limitations on the weather conditions she is allowed to fly in.”

Meanwhile, the name of the Dam Busters dog will not be altered when a restored version of the 1955 film is screened in cinemas across the country today to mark the 75th anniversary of the mission it was based on, it has been confirmed. The movie features a black Labrador called N ***** who was the mascot for RAF 617 squadron.

Director Michael Anderson’s war film will play unedited in 400 cinemas today – including DCA in Dundee.

A statement from Studiocanal, the distributor of the film, said: “While we acknowledge some of the language used in The Dam Busters reflects historical attitudes which audiences may find offensive, for reasons of historical accuracy we have opted to present the film as it was originally screened.”

As part of the screening, TV historian Dan Snow will explore the history of the Royal Air Force’s 1943 attack on the Mohne, Eder, and Sorpe dams in Nazi Germany using Barnes Wallis’ bouncing bomb.

Snow will be joined by relatives of both the film’s crew and the original 617 Squadron who carried out the raids for a live event broadcast via satellite from the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The last-surviving British member of 617 Squadron, George “Johnny” Johnson shared his delight ahead of the film’s return to the big screen and the wider commemorations planed for the anniversary of the raids.

Johnson said: “I think it’s wonderful. I shall be most grateful for the opportunity to watch it but also to take part in this tremendous presentation to start with. That raid is stuck in my mind and it is as livid today as it was 75 years ago.”

When asked how accurately the film depicted the actual events, Johnson praised the performance of actor Michael Redgrave as the bouncing bomb creator Barnes Wallis.

Johnson said: “I was pleased to see there wasn’t too much of this ‘hailfellow-well-met’ sort of attitude. It was well portrayed. I think Michael Redgrave as Barnes Wallis was a wonderful representation of a wonderful man.”

Johnson also shared his memories of Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who led 617 Squadron through Operation Chastise.

Johnson said: “His true leadership was in the attack situation. He made the first attack on the Mohne dam. Not only was he dropping his bomb, he was assessing its defence.

“As he called each aircraft in, he flew alongside them.”

PA. Dam Busters survivor George ‘Johnny’ Johnson and a Lancaster bomber at RAF Coningsby.

Picture: PA. Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his crew board their Lancaster for the famous 1943 mission that has passed into aviation folklore.