Conversation with Jo Lancaster. Part one

Conversation with Jo Lancaster. Part one

Steve Bond explains the purpose of the interiew, that he is gathering information from personnel involved with the Wellington with a view to producing a book on the "Wimpy". Jo starts by talking about his training and Wellington flying. He starts by describing his training at EFTS and OTU and includes details of crewing up. He was posted to 40 Squadron at RAF Wyton & RAF Alconbury on Wellingtons. Jo recalls details of a memborable operation to Berlin where they were attacked by Me 110. He continues with a description of a daylight operation to Brest with fighter escort, during which hesaw Me 109 shot down and talks of squadron losses. Jo describes a long trip to Stettin and gives a detailed description of aircraft icing up on operation to Cologne, when they we also hit by anti-aircraft fire. He comments on why he enjoyed flying the Wimpy (Wellington). Jo recalls subsequent instructor tours and describes one "Bullseye" sortie with pupil crew, when he came home early due to equipment unserviceability and icing but was carpeted by chief instructor. He goes on to talk about conversion to Lancaster on the squadron and mentions an operation to La Spezia when they almost ran out of fuel. Comments on activities on completion of second tour. He recalls seeing a flight of 617 Lancaster with unusual configuration. His eventual posting was to RAF Boscombe Down for test pilot training and he provides some anecdotes of his time as a test pilot. Includes contemporary colour photograph of Jo Lancaster.

00:57:53 audio recording

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SBondS-LancasterJv10016, SBondS-LancasterJv10015