16 FLYPAST January 2018
briefi ngs
NEWS THE LATEST IN AVIATION HERITAGE
Avro Lancaster B.VII NX611 Just
Jane made its fi nal public taxi
run of 2017 on September 28.
The bomber, which is gradually
being returned to airworthiness,is to undergo further restoration
over the winter months at its base,
East Kirkby’s Lincolnshire Aviation
Heritage Centre.
The focus will initially be on thetail fi n and rudders, and inboard
engines , followed by inspection of
the undercarriage support beams
and starboard wing trailing edge.
All engines are to be serviced, withone unit (No.2) being removed
and replaced. A hydraulic tank
connection ‘weep’ will be repaired,
along with several other secondary
tasks. http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk‘Just Jane’ winter servicing begins
‘Just Jane’ during a night photography
shoot at East Kirkby on September 28.
JAMIE EWANNeptune Aviation staged a public event
at Missoula, Montana on September 30
to mark the retirement of its fl eet of
Lockheed P-2 Neptune water-bombers.
As these were the last of the type tosee operational service, the Missoula
event also celebrated the Neptune’s
impressive 70-year career. Initially the
US Navy’s principal maritime patrol
aircraft during the early years of the Cold
War, they have served as tankers and
water-bombers for the last 48 years.
Six of Neptune’s seven airworthy P-2swere gathered at Missoula. N96278 fl ew
twice to perform water drops in front
of the crowd followed by several fast
and low fl ypasts. Four of the aircraft
(N96278, N9855F, N410NA and N1386C)
later departed in rapid succession. They
returned for the last-ever fl ypast by a
quartet of P-2s, followed by a series of
spirited individual passes.
Five of the fl eet are being offered to
museums and two will be retained by
the company for airshow appearances.
N1386C will continue to give water-
bombing demonstrations while N410NA
is to be restored to its earlier US Navy
confi guration and operated as a warbird.
http://www.neptuneaviation.com KEITH GASKELLMontana event marks Neptune retirement
Neptune N96278 ‘05’ performs a water-
bombing demonstration at Missoula.
KEITH GASKELLA new underground station was opened in
Santiago, Chile, on November 2, featuring
restored Cessna T-37 J-396 suspended from
the ceiling. Cerrillos Station has the Cessna
as the focal point of an aviation-themed
display. The jet is backed by a mural named
El Sueño de Volar (The Dream of Flying)
painted by José Yutronic. ÁLVARO ROMEROCampaign group Panshanger Community Aerodrome (PCA) has raised £10,000 to support its
bid to save Panshanger airfi eld near Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The aerodrome was
used by training units during World War Two, and became a popular fl ying club in peacetime.
It closed in September 2014, following the expiry of a lease, with the site earmarked for
development. Since then campaigners have been attempting to reinstate the airfi eld.
Launching Project Phoenix in September, PCA has now reached the fi rst crowdfunding
milestone. Its initial aim is to showcase the strong support for the historic aerodrome from
local and aviation communities. http://www.project-phoenix.org.uk