As most of our readers will know, Avro Lancaster B.VII NX611 Just Jane is under restoration to airworthy condition with the Lincoln Aviation Heritage Center at former RAF East Kirkby in Lincolnshire, England. The group has made magnificent progress, even during the pandemic, and we thought that our readers might like to see a recent (edited) restoration update, reproduced here with permission.
The restoration team at the Lincoln Aviation Heritage Center has had an extremely busy two months, as they entered the peak season for the Centre and the operation of NX611 and HJ711. Despite the Centre’s busy operational side, significant progress has been made on the restoration efforts.
Ade and Andy have been focused on restoring NX611’s nose turret. To move forward, they needed to locate airworthy rotating rings—a task easier said than done. Fortunately, the team had purchased a spare FN5 nose turret from Canada last year and had been awaiting its delivery. Upon arrival, Ade and Andy’s first task was to disassemble the turret and assess the condition of its rotating rings. The rings were in good condition and were promptly swapped with those from NX611’s nose turret. While the spare turret was disassembled, the team also cleaned and repainted it, preparing it for a swap deal in exchange for more Lancaster parts. Ade and Andy also replaced the Perspex in the spare turret’s cupola for cosmetic improvement.
With the new rotating rings ready, they were treated and painted in preparation for assembly with NX611’s nose turret. Thanks to the team’s earlier restoration work on other turret components, the reassembly process moved quickly. Currently, NX611’s nose turret is about halfway through reassembly, and the cupola is boxed up, and ready to be sent off for new airworthy glazing.
Meanwhile, Dave and Norm have been making excellent progress on the rear fuselage of NX611. The team has been riveting stringers, cleats, and formers to complete the skeletal fuselage structure in preparation for the fitting of the skins. Phil has also finished the structure for the rear crew door. Thousands of rivets have already been installed, with tens of thousands more to come once the skins are ready. The biggest challenge at the moment is sourcing 18-foot-long aluminum sheets, as the top skins of the fuselage run its entire length.
Chris has been diligently working on NX611’s nose, producing complex formers and frames. Unlike the rear fuselage, the frames in the nose are more intricate, curving in two directions with returns at multiple angles due to the compound curves that give the Lancaster its distinctive nose shape. Dave has been mentoring Chris in using the shrinker-stretcher and the art of producing formers, and while there’s still a long way to go, Chris is making solid progress.
Jacob, Keith, and John have made impressive strides with NX611’s port wing now that it’s placed in the jig. The team is currently stripping the wing’s skins and removing the stringers in preparation for the next stage of the jig, which will support the front spar while the wing ribs are removed. Despite the monotonous task of drilling out countless rivets, the team has kept up a steady pace. As the skins were removed, it became clear that the wing had undergone significant rework in the past, likely during a major servicing with the French. The team is now preparing for a detailed inspection of the stringers once they’ve been fully stripped.
The team has successfully stripped the port wing of its skins and stringers up to the leading edge. They are now awaiting the next part of the jig, which is currently in production. Steelwork has begun, and in the next update, the team expects to have the new jig sections in place and the wing ribs in the process of being removed. While significant visual progress has been made, the team will soon transition to the slower task of restoring each individual wing rib and stringer.
The Gofundme Wings Campaign has raised over £66,615 of the £500,000 goal! Thanks to everyone who has contributed, as your support has helped fund the jigs and aluminum. If you’d like to donate to the Wings Fund and receive a special Wings Fund badge, please click HERE (badges are sent for donations over £50).
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Are tours by the public allowed in ‘Just Jane’. Love to have a tour.