Where are we on the road to airworthy?
Back in 2016 we started the paint strip and inspection of Avro Lancaster NX611 in order to produce a plan to restore her to airworthy condition.
We decided on a 10 year plan to start in 2018 but having lost a year due to COVID we are now 5 years into the plan.
So how is it going?
Things are progressing well and with the introduction of our plan with the South Yorkshire Air Museum (HERE) and Les Ailes Anciennes le Bourget (HERE) we can see a very clear way forward.
Our current position is as follows-
We have the rear fuselage of KB976 fitted to NX611 to taxy with for the 2023 season, this has enabled us to fit the rear fuselage of NX611 into our jig and we are approx 30% through its restoration to airworthy condition.
The port wing from the French Lancaster NX664 will be ready to fit to NX611 in the winter of 2023 allowing NX611's wing to be fitted to the jig for restoration.
The nose from French Lancaster NX664 is receiving some new skins ready for it to be fitted to NX611 this coming winter. We will then be restoring the nose of NX611 next year.
Later this year we will also receive the mid fuselage of NX664 ready for it to be restored to taxying condition and it could be fitted to NX611 in the winter of 2023 or winter 2024 depending on how the work progresses.
2024 will see the completion of the rear fuselage of NX611, the completion of the nose of NX611 and the work progressing on the port wing of NX611.
To keep up to date with the restoration news please join the RIVET CLUB for as little at £3 per month.