[sinbin5t]

Originally Posted by SwallownAmazon

There is a long write-up about her repaint for this seaon in the latest (delayed) edition of the magazine of Lincolnshire's Lancaster Association written by Mr C. Pope, the guy who oversaw the work. The amount of research he did to ensure the correct lettering positioning borders on the obsessive but there are many who would criticise it if it proved to be incorrect..... All power to the chap's elbow - I say.

The starboard side is painted to represent the 50 Squadron aircraft VN-T flown by F.O. Douglas Millikin, the grandfather of the current BBMF O/C Sq. Ldr. Andy Millikin. The registration number PA474 must remain the same because she is still on charge as a RAF aircraft.

The port side is painted to represent W5005 / AR-L, an aircraft of 460 Squadron RAAF and as Sinbin says, the nose-art represents the nationalities of the crew that mainly operated that aircraft.

The major servicing of PA474 was carried out at Duxford by John Romain's Aircraft Restoration Company and overran by some months, partly as a result of some of the paint being supplied to the wrong shade when applied. JR has a wonderful team of engineers working at Duxford, many of whom are actually volunteers who do it for the love of old aircraft. There is a photo in the aforesaid magazine of the 29 astounding people who worked on her at Duxford posing on the grass in front of the old girl.