The restoration of Avro Lancaster B.VII NX611 Just Jane is approaching another major structural milestone at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby, England. In his latest report, covering progress through September, restoration manager Andrew Panton outlined plans to replace the aircraft’s rear-mid fuselage with the restored section from Lancaster NX664 during the coming winter.
The change will allow work to advance on NX611’s original structure while the aircraft continues its staged restoration toward airworthy condition. Installation of the replacement section is planned for November or December, following completion of its internal and external paintwork. As reported in Vintage Aviation News’ previous restoration update, NX664’s rear-mid fuselage has been undergoing extensive repairs in preparation for the exchange. Once removed, NX611’s own section will enter the restoration jig for its airworthy rebuild.
Team members Dave and Jodie have now finished their structural work on NX664’s section. Its new floor has been manufactured and riveted into place, apart from one area that must remain unsecured until the assembly is joined to NX611’s rear fuselage and centre section. Painting is expected to take place in late October or early November, preparing the assembly for installation. Work has also progressed on NX611’s rear fuselage. Norm and Terry have been fitting the rear turret wind deflector, which directs airflow around the turret aperture. The component reduces drag and helps prevent airflow from entering the rear of the turret and interfering with its rotation in flight.
Norm has also manufactured the rear fuselage floor. Further work will include fitting ammunition tracks and boosters, although some of the required components are currently installed in the rear fuselage of Lancaster KB976. These will become available when that section is removed and returned to the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum. At the opposite end of Just Jane, Chris has substantially completed work on the nose structure, with the stringers remaining. Producing replacements will require new tooling for the team’s rolling machine. A small lathe awaiting collection from the Midlands will be used to manufacture the rollers needed to form the stringers.
Attention is now shifting toward the wings, with Dave, Jodie and Chris beginning work on the port trailing-edge ribs. Completing these components will prepare the team for the return of the wing spars from machining. Alongside the workshop activity, September brought the conclusion of an important search for scarce original components. The restoration team made its third and final visit to Gatwick Aviation Museum to inspect its parts trailers for Lancaster material. According to Panton, the project has cost more than £10,000 but has secured spares that are no longer manufactured and would be expensive to reproduce. The discoveries will support both the restoration and the aircraft’s future operation. A fuller account of the recovered components will follow once they have been processed into the Centre’s stores.
Funding remains central to maintaining that progress. Panton said the busy summer season and initiatives such as June’s Avro Summer event have helped support efforts to finance another year of restoration. The Centre’s GoFundMe Wings Campaign had raised more than £104,600 toward its £500,000 target at the time of the September report. Contributions have already helped pay for the new spar booms, a major element of the wing rebuild. Supporters donating £50 or more can receive a special Wings Fund badge. With NX664’s rear-mid fuselage structurally complete and wing components moving through preparation, the coming winter promises a significant new phase in the effort to return Just Jane to flight. For more information about the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, visit www.lincsaviation.co.uk.
