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Short Stirling
A port side view of a Stirling, MG-M' being loaded with bombs. Three more Stirlings are lined up behind.
Bombing up a Wellington
Photo 1 is a tractor with a line of bombs heading to a Wellington.
Photo 2 is a close up of the bombs being loaded into the Wellington. Two armourers are steadying the bomb and a third is winding a winch to load the bomb.
Photo 2 is a close up of the bombs being loaded into the Wellington. Two armourers are steadying the bomb and a third is winding a winch to load the bomb.
Lancaster maintenance
Three views of Lancaster under maintenance. Photo 1 has an engine trestle at the nose. In front is a tractor with a bomb trolley carrying incendiaries. Photo 2 has several engine access frames under the engines and a long stepladder at the nose. A…
Bombing up Lancaster, 1943
Photograph of two airmen fitting bomb carrier below Lancaster bomb bay. on the reverse captioned 'Loading bombs England 1943'. '132 elsders'.
John Joseph Parker's service
A handwritten note by John Joseph Parker's daughter briefly outlining his service as a Flying Officer.
Wire bomb fusing
The fusing wire attached to arming mechanism, which ensures that on release the bomb is either armed or safe. The label reads Sec 5D ref 1569', 'Wire fuzing setting, Qty', 'STI ARM 85 SAT', ' MOD 1509 OK'. On the reverse of the arming mechanism…
Lancaster with 12000 lb bomb
In the foreground a 12000 lb bomb on a trolley. An airman is visible at the left end. In the background a 617 Lancaster with a cover on the nose. Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.
Lancaster with 12000 lb bomb
In the front a 12000 lb bomb on a trolley is being positioned in front of a 617 Squadron Lancaster. Aircraft has partially open bomb bay; fuselage and starboard engines visible. An airman is standing behind the bomb centre, another is sitting on the…
Andrew Bain 'bombing up'
Andrew crouching below aircraft bomb bay loaded with small bombs. On the reverse 'Bomb up Me Oudtshoorn'.
Interview with Frank Saunston
Frank Saunston joined the ATC in 1941 and then the RAF in 1942. He worked as a transport driver at RAF Peplow and then as a forklift driver at RAF Methwold on the bomb dump. Describes his role and his duties and gives details regarding the bombs…
Interview with Eric Peel
Eric Peel worked in the Cotton Exchange in Liverpool before he volunteered for the RAF. He trained as an armourer and was initially posted to 56 Squadron at RAF Sutton Bridge where he worked on Hurricanes. He then was posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham…
Interview with Peter Morris
Peter Morris lived through the East End blitz. He joined the ATC as soon as it was established and applied to join the RAF as aircrew. He was accepted for training as a navigator. While waiting for a course he was part of a group that was sent to…
Interview with Ken Marshall
Ken Marshall, grew up in Barton on Humber and enrolled with the ATC before joining the University Air Squadron at Durham University. On one occasion he saw an aircraft on fire at RAF Elsham Wolds and although the crew was rescued it was a reminder of…
Interview with Edward George Key
Ted Key was a flight engineer. He was born to a large family in London which he remembers coming down from Norfolk to visit. His father was in the Navy as a chief petty officer and away a lot. Ted was in the air defence cadet corps before he joined…
Interview with John Hanks
John Hanks joined the RAF and served as an armourer. Describes his role and his duties. Tells of his posting at Swinderby and East Kirkby. Gives a graphic and vivid account of an aircraft crash at RAF Swinderby. Describes comradeship between ground…
Lancaster, crew and bomb
In foreground, large bomb on its trolley, standing behind seven aircrew in flying clothing, Lancaster in background.
Lancasters in the snow
Snowy landscape with five Lancasters on their dispersals, in the foreground tractor and bomb trolley with large bomb, armourers waiting to load.
Loading bombs on to Lancaster
Close up of three bomb trolleys with bombs and carriers, armourer winching up bomb, nose and centre section of Lancaster with nose art.
WO Donald Keith Fraser
Memoir describing his life and service career in the RAF. He also gives a list of 29 operations he participated in with notes on specific operations, and recounts a brief history of the Lancaster.
Interview with Frank Gerald Bassett
Frank was brought up in Woolwich. He joined the RAF at the age of 18 and became an armourer. Frank describes the difficult physical work, loading and unloading bombs. He served 617 Squadron and loaded bouncing bombs, which were different. He…
Lancaster on dispersal
Rear quarter view of Lancaster 'VN-P' parked on hard-standing with three rows of bombs in the foreground. On the reverse '50 Sqd Skellingthorpe, about D Day, Yanky [sic] 1000 lb bomb GP, English 500 ", AVC, ND991, 50 Sqd - Flt Refuelling - BDU - 22…
Lincoln at dispersal
Side view of Lincoln 'RF505'. There are access ladders and bombs awaiting loading.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Lancaster PO-Y and bombs
Three photographs, one shows a loaded bomb trolley with two ground personnel with four dispersed Lancasters in background. Second shows Lancaster PO-Y on it's dispersal, row of bombs on grass, two dispersed Lancasters in background. Third is a target…
Lancaster and bombs
Three photographs, one captioned 'Bill Maurer W.O.P.' shows him in flying kit, sitting on one of a row of bombs. The second captioned 'Y for Yoke', shows the Lancaster on its dispersal, bomb doors open, group of figures under starboard wing. Third…
Interview with Vera Willis
Vera Willis nee Tomlinson volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force because she wanted to be a driver. Her driving career in the RAF involved driving long distances as well as driving aircrew to dispersal. Some crew gave her letters for…