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Post by John Parry on Jan 11, 2006 4:57:11 GMT -5
Well - we know what this one is!!! My Dad is currently staying with my sister in Ontario, Canada. Turns out that my nephew's boss is the Flight Engineer on the Andrew Mynarski VC Memorial Lancaster - the other Lanc capable of flight apart from The Battle of Britain Flight one. When he heard that Dad did his National Service in the RAF, he got the red carpet treatment.    Taken with my sister's digital, so maybe it shouldn't be in this gallery. Sorry, but this is where it belongs! Regards - John |
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Post by Randy on Jan 11, 2006 7:11:48 GMT -5
I think so too.
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Post by kamera on Jan 11, 2006 7:29:19 GMT -5
John,
And dad looks like he is thoroughly enjoying himself!! Thanks for sharing!
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Jan 11, 2006 9:17:16 GMT -5
John,
The cockpit shot with the instrument panels brings back memories. I used to ground run the engines of Lancs after we'd worked on them when I was with 48 Maintenence Unit. I was an engine fitter in the RAF, what trade was your Dad?
Peter
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Post by herron on Jan 11, 2006 10:33:33 GMT -5
John: That actually brought a tear to my eye. What a neat thing to do for your Dad! Thanks for letting us in on it!  |
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Post by vintageslrs on Jan 11, 2006 10:43:55 GMT -5
John
Very nice!!
things like that money can't buy and nothing can make ya feel better!!!
Good job....John ;D
Bob
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Post by John Parry on Jan 11, 2006 18:00:08 GMT -5
Thanks everyone,
Yes, the Lancs have a special meaning to us, especially in my part of the country. You're right Ron (Kal) - my little sister sent quite a few pics of the occasion, and Dad has a huge grin on each one. Ron Herron and Bob - Yes!
Peter,
Dad was taken on by a company called Baxendales in Manchester just before the war started. He was an apprentice cabinet-maker, but it never worked out - the Baxendale factory was flattened during the blitz. I suppose he must have been around 14 or 15 - the normal school leaving age at the time.
Dad joined the RAF as soon as he was old enough - and was trained in RAF Signals. He was lucky enough to miss the hostilities, but was rapidly versed in the war's outcome - he was posted to Singapore and then Germany.
He had a few moments that weren't too tedious though... The RAF set up a signal station on top of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank building in Singapore. So did the Royal Navy - and theirs was manned by WRENS. I followed in his footsteps (I mean the signalling side) - I went to sea as a Merchant Navy Radio Officer.
Regards - John
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Jan 11, 2006 20:07:02 GMT -5
Great shots John. Nice to see your dad relive his past. Lancasters are beautiful old planes and I've seen this example personally. A fellow that has a store down the street is even selling one of a few remaining bullet proof (?) cockpit windows from a Hawker Hurricane tonight I believe on that auction site. Amazing to say but a local here stumbled on a cache of them in an old shed as they were made directly behind my house during the war.
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