Anniversary dambusters flyover

[Kyt]

Anniversary dambusters flyover - Sheffield Telegraph

ONE of the last two flying Lancaster bombers will fly over the Derwent Dam this month to mark the 65th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.
Only a few hundred people will be invited into the valley on Friday, May 16 to watch the flypast after an estimated crowd of 85,000 caused chaos on the 50th anniversary. However, the flight path of the Lancaster – followed by a Spitfire, Hurricane, World War Two Dakota and two Tornadoes from the modern 617 Squadron – also offers the chance of a viewing over the Chatsworth estate. Squadron Leader Stu Reid of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be at the controls as the veteran plane makes three passes over the dam where 617 Squadron practised their "bouncing bomb" technique before the raid in 1943.

The event, which is also part of the RAF's 90th anniversary year, has been organised by the Peak District National Park Authority and Seven-Trent Water, which owns the dam. They decided to exclude the public after talks with the police and emergency organisations.

"It's a private event by ticket only. There is space for 400 cars," said a spokeswoman for the flight.

Access to the Derwent Valley will be restricted to local dignitaries, service organisations and members of the public chosen by ballot. Ticket applications should be emailed to dambustersmemorial@peakdistrict.gov.uk

The Lancaster will take off from RAF Coningsby at 9.40am and approach the dam from the north, expected to arrive at 10.30am. After three passes it will continue down the valley over Bamford Church Tower towards Chatsworth House and then east towards Scampton.

[Kitty]

Bar stewards. No wonder they denied Vic permission. Anyway put my name into the ballot. If not successful I'll go up to Chatsworth

[Kyt]

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/di...entPK=20617861

An Raf pilot who will fly a Lancaster bomber over Derbyshire to commemorate the Dambusters mission has described the flight as "a fantastic honour".

Squadron Leader Stuart Reid will take the controls of the iconic bomber on Friday morning to mark the 65th anniversary of the dramatic raid.

The bomber, which is one of only two remaining flying Lancasters, will make four trips over the Derwent Dam, where the Dambuster pilots trained in 1943 before the famous raid on the Ruhr Valley Dams in Germany.

After the commemorative flight over the dam, the historic aircraft will swoop over the Chatsworth estate before returning to its base at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

Mr Reid, 52, an RAF pilot for 32 years, said: "I have done many fly-pasts, including the Queen Mother's funeral and the Queen's birthday.

"All of them have been real honours but this one is going to be really special.

"What the Dambusters did was unique and a British institution. To follow them and fly over the dam where they practised will be a fantastic honour for me."

The Lancaster will be joined high over Derwent Water by two Tornados, a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Dakota.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Lancaster will be manned by a crew of four - Mr Reid, co-pilot Flight Attendant Miles Davey, Flight Sergeant Tony Dale and navigator Squadron Leader Jeff Hesketh.

Mr Hesketh's role is to chart the route the plane will take.

After taking off from RAF Coningsby at 9.55am, it will head north over Nottinghamshire before entering Derbyshire north of Chesterfield.

It will arrive over the Derwent Valley at 10.27am and swoop four times over Derwent Water.

After this, the crew will take the plane south and soar over Chatsworth, at 10.58am - the best vantage point for members of the public to see the legendary aircraft.

Mr Hesketh said: "The sight and sound of the aircraft is always something special.

"We call the noise from the Rolls-Royce engines 'the music of the Merlins'. It will send a shiver down your spine.

"It's quite an emotional event and an immense honour to be on board."

Friday's fly-past at Derwent Water is open to invited guests only and limited to 400 already-allocated parking spaces.

Among them will be Les Munroe, the last remaining Dambusters pilot, who is flying from New Zealand for the event.

The RAF, which is organising the event, took advice from the police after a similar fly-past in 1993 attracted 85,000-people, causing traffic chaos.

Those wanting to see the event are urged to visit Chatsworth.

A spokesman for Chatsworth said: "There is no limit to how many people can attend and everyone should get a great view of the Lancaster wherever they are on the estate."

Derbyshire police have urged people wanting to see the Lancaster not to travel to the Upper Derwent Valley.

Chief Inspector Dick Hargreaves said: "Most of the roads are narrow and on-road parking is not possible.

"Police will have to enforce parking regulations on the A57 and surrounding roads in the interests of public safety."

[spidge]

I am sure the memory of the Dambusters will never die.

[Kyt]

BBC NEWS | UK | Dambusters remembered 65 years on

Hope Kitty gets a few shots, though it sounds like the place will be packed and finding a vantage point difficult.

[Kyt]

BBC NEWS | UK | Dambusters back in Derbyshire

[Kitty]

Kitty didn't get any shots at the Dam as at just after 8 in the morning the few available parking spaces for the public were full and the place was crawling with coppers. Ended up at Chatsworth to see the Lanc for about 40 seconds and 2 Tornadoes for about 15.

Peak park lived up to their completely incompetent best. Still a few shots from here i was stood. thank you god a for a zoom lense, a 10meg camera and a vantage point

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[Kyt]

Great shots Kitty. Pity the organisation was so bad but nice to see some pictures at least