One of Britain’s most famous aircraft from World War II will make another public appearance this weekend.
The Avro Lancaster PA474 was grounded for maintenance but has now been cleared for flight after extensive testing.
An RAF spokesman said the appearance was dependent on “weather and operational capability”, but the aircraft was expected to be on display at both the Blackpool Airshow and the Compton Abbas Airshow in Dorset.
The Lancaster, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, is the only aircraft in the fleet currently in service.
Fleet on the ground
The fleet was grounded in May after Sqn Ldr Mark Long died when the Spitfire he was flying crashed in a field in Lincolnshire.
The inquest into his death began in June and is scheduled to resume on November 24.
In a statement, the BBMF said its Spitfires and Hurricanes remained grounded “while the investigation into the tragic Spitfire incident continues.”
The RAF spokesman said Air Vice Marshal Mark Flewin had given the aircraft permission to take part in demonstrations.
The team will now work to confirm dates for appearances at other air shows this summer.
The Lancaster is one of only two remaining airworthy examples of this four-engine heavy bomber, which was a mainstay of the RAF during World War II.
It is the only Lancaster still in service in the UK.
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