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The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby

 

Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane starting up

Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane starting up. Photo by Ross Cannon

 

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is a family-run museum and was set up over twenty years ago by Fred and Harold Panton as a memorial to their brother Pilot Officer Christopher Panton, who along with 55,000 aircrew of RAF Bomber Command lost his life during World War II. It was opened by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC on the 8th July 1989.

The centre is sited on part of the old Royal Air Force airbase at RAF East Kirkby and is home to Avro Lancaster NX611 Just Jane. Many of the buildings and the control tower date back to the 1940s. The museum also houses a collection of vehicles and equipment and aviation artefacts. There is also a well stocked shop which sells aviation items and also next door you can visit the NAAFI, which offers a great menu of high quality hot and cold foods and various drinks.

(When you are visiting the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, why not have a taxi ride in the Lancaster or new for 2010, the Dakota)

For taxi rides and further information click the link below for their website.

 

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre official website

 

Opening times -

Mon-Sat: 9:30am – 5pm (BST)
Mon-Sat: 10am - 4pm (GMT)
Sun: Closed

Address -

East Kirkby Airfield,
East Kirkby,
Nr Spilsby,
Lincolnshire,
PE23 4DE

Telephone - 01790 763207

 

East Kirkby NAAFI and cafe
East Kirkby NAAFI and cafe
Inside the NAAFI
Inside the NAAFI
Inside the NAAFI
Inside the NAAFI
Inside the NAAFI
East Kirkby control tower

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

 

 

The Lancaster

 

Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane Rolls-Royce Merlin engines
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane nose artwork

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

 

 

The Museum

 

East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery Group reconstructed remains of Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB BL655
Bombs in the East Kirkby museum
Vintage vehicles in the East Kirkby museum
Vintage Vehicle - The Camel Type 1107 RAF 131055 in the East Kirkby museum
Vintage bus FW 2378
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
English Electric Canberra B6 WH957 cockpit
East Kirkby museum display
Farm Carts in the East Kirkby museum
Aero engine in the East Kirkby museum
Old military vehicles in the East Kirkby museum
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
Aero engine in the East Kirkby museum
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
East Kirkby museum display
Phantom, MiG and Sabre models in the East Kirkby museum

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

 

 

Inside Just Jane

 

Avro Lancaster Just Jane nose
Avro Lancaster Just Jane cockpit
Avro Lancaster Just Jane cockpit
Avro Lancaster T1154 Transmitter and R1155 Receiver
Inside Avro Lancaster Just Jane
Avro Lancaster Just Jane FN-50 mid upper turret
Inside Avro Lancaster Just Jane
Avro Lancaster Just Jane FN-20 4-gun tail turret

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

 

East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011 - Saturday 6th August 2011

 

SWIP Team Silence Twisters at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011

The day started very dull and gloomy with the odd spot of rain but conditions gradually improved throughout the afternoon and the final sequence, by the Catalina G-PBYA, was carried out in brilliant sunshine. The BBMF Lancaster disappointingly cancelled due to a lack of available aircrew while Maurice Hammond's Mustangs and the Sbach 300 were also no-shows, apparently because of double booking. The Catalina and Paddy Green's C-47A N473DC were open to the public for internal inspection during the morning but unlike the Cat, the latter did not fly in the display.

The flying programme was kick-started by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the BBMF but their performance was severely limited by the low cloud blanket. Half an hour of model aircraft performances allowed the weather to improve.

Noticeably before the Silence Twisters of the SWIP Team gave a smooth display of aerobatics looking just like a pair of miniature Spitfires, a slow dogfight then amused the record crowd with Stewart Smith in the DH2 replica G-BFVH taking on the maroon Dreidecker replica G-FOKK.

Following that Captain Neville's Flying Circus entertained everyone with an exhibition of traditional barnstorming that lasted about three quarters of an hour. The aircraft used were the oldest airworthy Tiger Moth G-ACDA, a Jackaroo G-ANZT, Emeraude G-AZGY, Chipmunk G-ALWB and another Tiger LF858. Rotorsport MT-03 G-JBRE then showed just how sprightly an Autogyro can be before the modellers brought on some radio controlled jets and a Wellington.

The enormously popular Breitling Wingwalkers put in an amazing display with their usual panache laced with glamour before Nigel Wilson in the Attitude Inc Yak-52 G-BXJB filled the sky with even more smoke. As the smoke cleared the sun came out to bless the gleaming white Catalina with sunshine for a sparkling finish to the programme.

For many however the most memorable moments of the day's activities were the roar of the mighty Merlin engines of East Kirkby's Lancaster "Just Jane" when she twice started up and taxied round the airfield.

 

Review by Colin Smedley/Oscarpix Imaging

 

Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A (28) G-PBYA/433915 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Cessna O-1E Bird Dog (305C/L-19E) G-PDOG/24550/GP at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A (28) G-PBYA/433915 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
de Havilland DH-2 (replica) G-BFVH/5964 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Piel CP301B Emeraude G-AZGY - previously F-BRAA at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Thruxton Jackaroo G-AOIR at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane engines starting up at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk 22A G-ALWB at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Fokker DR-1 Triplane (replica) G-FOKK/477/17 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth II G-ACDA at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Douglas C-47A Skytrain (DC-3) N473DC/2100882/3X-P at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011
Yakovlev Yak-52 G-BXJB at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2011

Images courtesy of Colin Smedley/Oscarpix Imaging

 

 

East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010 - Saturday 7th August 2010

 

Avro Lancaster Just Jane engine starting up with flames coming out of it at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010

As people arrived at the airfield they were treated to the site of Just Jane (the Panton family's Lancaster) parked out on its dispersal and with the weather conditions looking promising it looked as if it was going to be a good day for an air show. This is the second year the Panton family have run the air show alongside the RAF Benevolent Fund.

 

 

 

 

English Electric Lightning F6 XS932 cockpit at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Jet Provost cockpit at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Their Finest Hour - Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain car and tent at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight stall at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund tents at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Imperial War Museum flight simulator at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Military vehicles at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Hawker Hurricane P2725/TM-B replica at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Hawker Hurricane P2725/TM-B replica at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Mobile Canteen and 1940s re-enactors at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Rolls-Royce Merlin engine at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
East Kirkby control tower at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010

 

Not only were there aviation oriented items on show, there were also a large number of vintage MG sports cars as well as other Ex Military vehicles. There were also numerous other exhibits and trade stalls, a flight simulator, a replica Hawker Hurricane, a Lightning F6 and a Jet Provost cockpit. Also the shop and NAAFI were open for business.

 

Luscombe 8A Silvaire G-BRSW - previously N71822 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee B G-BXYM at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
de Havilland DH-82B Queen Bee G-BLUZ/LF858 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
The de Havilland School of Flying - de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth II G-ACDA at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Piper PA-18-95 Super Cub G-NESY - previously N124SA at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk G-ALWB at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Boeing PT-13D Kaydet N4712V/104/W at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American AT-6D Harvard III G-ELMH/42-84555/EP-H/D at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Piel CP-301B Emeraude G-AZGY (originally F-BRAA) at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Piel CP-301B Emeraude G-AZGY (originally F-BRAA) cockpit at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth II G-ACDA wooden propeller at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Piper PA-18-95 Super Cub G-NESY cockpit - previously N124SA at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Luscombe 8A Silvaire G-BRSW - Bloody Mary at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American Aviation P-51D-25-NT Mustang G-MSTG 414419 (LH-F) Janie at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American Aviation P-51D-5NA Mustang G-MRLL 44-13521 (5Q-B) Marinell at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Flightline walk at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Rob Davies sitting in P-51D Mustang Big Beautiful Doll at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Three Mustangs in flightline walk at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010

 

To the early birds the flightline was empty when they first arrived, it was not long before you heard the sound of vintage aircraft engines. One of the first arrivals was Captain Dennis Neville's Flying Circus, with a mixture mostly made up of de Havilland aircraft. The flightline soon filled up with The Swift Team, John Elliot in the Autogyro, Justin Needham in the Piper Cub, Maurice Hammond's Mustang pair, Stearman and Harvard and later in the day the Mustangs were joined by Rob Davies with his Mustang 'Big Beautiful Doll'.

 

North American Aviation F-86 Sabre model aircraft at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
MiG model aircraft at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon G-MSAL/143 and Aermacchi (SIAI Marchetti) SF.260AM G-ITAF/MM54532 - Italian Air Force at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
RV-8 team - Vans RV-8 G-RVPL/06 and G-DUDE/19 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Justin Needham in his Piper L21B Super Cub - US Army at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
CAP Aviation Cap-232 G-OGBR at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Supermarine Spitfire Mk LFIXe MK356 (UF-Q) at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc LF363 (YB-W) at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Captain Nevilles Flying Circus aerobatics at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Captain Nevilles Flying Circus limbo trick at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Captain Nevilles Flying Circus balloon bursting trick at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane engines starting up at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane taxiing around the grass strip at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane taxiing at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane taxi ride at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Twista duo - G-TWST and G-RIOT at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Taylor JT-2 Titch G-BKWD at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
John Elliot in his Rotorsport UK MT-03 Autogyro G-JBRE at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Nigel Wilson in his Yak-52 G-BXJB at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Just Jane engine starting up with flames coming out of it at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane taxiing back in at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Swift Aerobatic Display Team Glider at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Swift Aerobatic Display Team at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
Fairchild PT-19A Cornell (M-62A) N33870/02538 at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American Aviation Mustang three-ship flight at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American Aviation P-51D-A68-192 Mustang G-HAEC 472218 (WZ-I) Big Beautiful Doll at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American Aviation P-51D-5NA Mustang G-MRLL 44-13521 (5Q-B) Marinell at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010
North American Aviation P-51D-25-NT Mustang G-MSTG 414419 (LH-F) Janie at the East Kirkby RAFBF Air Show 2010

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

 

Another well organised air show by Andrew Panton and his family, with a well polished commentary by FlyPast editor Ken Ellis. Visitors to East Kirkby were treated to an almost nonstop three hour flying display. Starting the air show off were flying models of an F-86 Sabre and MiG jet aircraft. Throughout the afternoon there were displays by The Twister Duo, the Spitfire and Hurricane from The Battle of Britain Flight, Nigel Wilson in the Yak-52, John Elliot in the Autogyro, Justin Needham in the Piper Cub and the much awaited start-up and taxi run of Just Jane. To close the show the crowd were thrilled by the trio of Mustang fighters, who made several high speed flypasts and other aerobatic manoeuvres.

 

 

East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event - Wednesday 11th November 2009

 

Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane and crowd at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event

It was a poignant event on this special Armistice Day at East Kirkby Airfield. The Panton family as usual making all the visitors very welcome. With it being our first visit to East Kirkby we found the friendly family atmosphere and the welcome we received second to none. With the World War II buildings and artefacts on show at the museum it added to the sound of the four Merlin engines running up on Just Jane, who in the capable hands of Ex Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster pilot Ed Straw carried out two taxi runs during the day.

 

 

Commemorative plaque
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane pilot Ed Straw at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane engine starting up at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane bomb bay doors closing at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane and crowd at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane being towed back in at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane pilot Ed Straw at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event
Avro Lancaster Mk VII NX611 Just Jane being put back in the hangar at the East Kirkby Just Jane Armistice Event

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon