Lancaster KB882 pictures from preview event

[Thomas_Mac]

Lancaster KB882 which some may know as the Edmundston Lancaster was on display along the Trans Canada Highway in News Brunswick until 2017 when it was decided it needed a new indoor home and restoration. It joined the National Air Force Museum of Canada collection in Trenton and has been under restoration since. While the museum is currently out of room for the Lancaster it has taken up home in nearby Picton in Hangar 1 at a time capsule wartime airfield now known as Base 31. They had a preview event for the Lancaster this weekend before opening a more dedicated space next year and will display the Lancaster until 2029 when they anticipate having room at the main museum (hopefully next to their Halifax??). After checking out the Trenton Airshow on Sunday I went over to Picton to check on the Lancaster and get some pictures.

I know there was some discussion if this Lancaster should be restored to her WWII configuration since she flew some combat missions but I think the decision to kept her post-war appearance intact was the right move, a very impressive effort all the better by seeing her in a genuine hangar of the era. Happy Canada Day!

[mazdaP5]

Lancaster KB882 which some may know as the Edmundston Lancaster was on display along the Trans Canada Highway in News Brunswick until 2017 when it was decided it needed a new indoor home and restoration. It joined the National Air Force Museum of Canada collection in Trenton and has been under restoration since. While the museum is currently out of room for the Lancaster it has taken up home in nearby Picton in Hangar 1 at a time capsule wartime airfield now known as Base 31. They had a preview event for the Lancaster this weekend before opening a more dedicated space next year and will display the Lancaster until 2029 when they anticipate having room at the main museum (hopefully next to their Halifax??). After checking out the Trenton Airshow on Sunday I went over to Picton to check on the Lancaster and get some pictures.

I know there was some discussion if this Lancaster should be restored to her WWII configuration since she flew some combat missions but I think the decision to kept her post-war appearance intact was the right move, a very impressive effort all the better by seeing her in a genuine hangar of the era. Happy Canada Day!

[Archer]

She looks very good! Any idea why they have three props feathered? Was there a particular purpose or story attached to that or was it just the lack of a prop tool?

[DH82EH]

Thanks for the pictures Thomas.
I last saw her in New Brunswick. She was looking pretty weathered.
They seem to have done a decent job.
Interesting observation about the feathered props.

[bdk]

Any idea why they have three props feathered? Was there a particular purpose or story attached to that or was it just the lack of a prop tool?

Can't see the photos, but Hamilton Standard Hydromatic props use an electric feather pump to hydraulically feather the props using oil from the engine oil tank. Just push a button!

[Thomas_Mac]

Are the photos not showing up for some of you guys? They are hosted on imgur.
Wonder if this works when linked form Discord

[JohnB]

Nice looking aircraft.
I'm a fan of the postwar RCAF NMF/White/Lightning bolt scheme. Looks good on anything.

Odd wording on the signage.
A bit...um...different.
Must have been written for fans of Thomas the Tank Engine.

[DH82EH]

Any idea why they have three props feathered? Was there a particular purpose or story attached to that or was it just the lack of a prop tool?

Can't see the photos, but Hamilton Standard Hydromatic props use an electric feather pump to hydraulically feather the props using oil from the engine oil tank. Just push a button!

This aircraft spent half a century outdoors.
I seriously doubt those systems would still be operative, that is, if their parts haven't already been cannibalized to return another aircraft to service or add to her spares pool.
Being a static refurbishment the systems wouldn't be serviced with oil.

[k5083]

It looks great. Love the paint scheme. It would have been a shame to reverse all the mods turning it from a bomber to the ASW role, a key part of RCAF history. And the different look will really pop next to the Halifax which is already in bomber colors, and help differentiate the aircraft for visitors who have trouble telling one from the other.

August

[Archer]

I wouldn't trust the original system to get those props back to their normal pitch range. It may be related to the fact (if my memory isn't telling me porkies) that props are sometimes assembled with the blades set to their feathering position, using the pitch change mechanism in the dome to get them into flight pitch range. You may not always be able to do it that way with a restoration. Perhaps not all the prop domes are in top shape? Or it may be as simple as they ran out of time before this event.

I can see all the photos in the first post, not the one in your later post. The photos in your first post are pretty large though, imgur does not appear to resize them at all. Most photos run off my screen with about 70% of the width visible at one time, the last one needs about 2.5 screen widths. This is on a relatively new MacBook.

[kalamazookid]

Nice looking Lanc! Thanks for the photos!

[quemerford]

She looks lovely, and I'm so glad that the ASR configuration has been retained. There used to be such a push for everything to be restored in WW2 schemes/variants that other periods of aviation history became neglected: I remember the huffing and puffing when the RAF Museum restored its Tempest in target tug colours, despite the scheme being totally appropriate for that airframe.

As Milton so very aptly put it, "They also serve who only stand and wait": people worked and sometimes died flying these aircraft long after WW2 had ended: it is to be applauded that their service is commemorated in this way.

More of the same please!

[bdk]

Are the photos not showing up for some of you guys? They are hosted on imgur.
Wonder if this works when linked form Discord

My work computer has a robust firewall so that may be why I can't see the the images. Maybe after I get laid off at the end of the month and start using my new laptop that problem will be solved.