Avro Lancaster NX611 Flying From Lavenham 

Thank you for posting this video, I have only just come across it. I was one of the 276sqdn ATC Cadets in the Rifle Drill Team "Guard Of Honour" for NX611 when she flew in to Lavenham from Biggin Hill on that Sunday March, 1969. That was an experience forever burned into my memory, after a group of us had spent all day on the Saturday, inspecting and sweeping every inch of the main runway for her arrival. Then on the Sunday, us 6 Cadets were in front of the Tower with our Officers on top of the Tower, all patiently waiting. Heard a very vague hum getting louder in the distance, then a ROAR as this HUGE BLACK BIRD flew so LOW over the Control Tower, the slipstream blew our Flt. Lt Foster's cap off, . The next second she climbed up into smooth left hand arc, before circling round and BUZZING the runway, just like in the Steve McQueen movie, "The WarLover", before climbing back up to go round into landing pattern, then land West to East on the main runway. I can STILL hear the "clinking" and "tinkling" of her Merlins as they cooled down after taxiing, and we came to attention. I believe the pilot was a Neil Williams, and even as a 14yr old I was in sheer AWE of how he handled that so Beautiful Lancaster. He gave me, and I think all of us, memories we will take to our grave. Only negative, is that John Roast had promised us all a flight in her for our 2 days of work, which never materialised.......BUT just those memories have always been well worth all the ENDLESS hours of walking and examining every inch of that Runway Have been there a few times since, picturing that March Sunday in my mind, and last time, was sad to see most of Runway had gone. Thanks for the video, sir

FANTASTIC! Thank you Rob Leigh for saving this film and thank-you Martin Keen.

Very interesting thanks for this my favourite war film has to be 'The Dambusters' the sad thing about this film is that you can't hear the beautiful sound of those four Merlin's.

Thanks for not ruining it with music. If we can't hear the Merlins then I'd rather it be silent.

I remember seeing her at Biggin Hill, clearly brings back memories of the nose art..

I believe the house my Nan was born in was demolished to make way for the airfield at Lavenham. Nice little combo to see the Lanc and Lavenham in this film.

I understand that the filming was for a BBC feature. Unfortunately the film languishes in the BBC's vaults and isn't enjoyed by the public.

The Seafire is FR Mk.47 VP441 which is now flying in Montana with Jim Smith.

The disliker almost certainly has a screw loose. What's not to like?

The Americans were at Lavenham during the war, I used to have some storage space in the old gym and the basketball courts white lines were still clearly visible on the wood block floor.

Wonderful footage and l'm sure there must be a copy with the Panton's . I suddenly recognised Richard Todd as he was signing an autograph. Of course he played the great Guy Gibson and l guess this aircraft took part in the film . I'm glad the mk47 was saved but l don't think it's flown for some time . And the last flight nearly was the last flight ! 3 emergencies , 1 being a run away air screw ! Thanks for sharing .

This was recorded February 1970, and was actually the penultimate flight of NX611. Her final flight took place 26th June of that same year.

Thank the late Ray Wood, he captured the footage, I just made it available after being passed a VHS tape to convert to DVD.

I would like to say who the hell is the one 'disliker' maybe he is a Yank!

Wondered Why The Lady Had A Autograph Signed,,,Looked Abit Deeper,,,,"Richard Todd"👍

Can you assist in telling what date this was? After 1967 as there is a Mk1 Ford escort in one of the shots. I have been on a visit to Lavenham airfield in 2015 as the farmer who owns the site allows the local history society access on occasions. The taxi ways are still in situ as are parts of the runways where the "round down" meets the taxi way but the runways themselves are long gone. The Watch Tower (flying control) is preserved & is used as offices.

Not "may" take to the skies WILL take to the skies they will be getting the 4th airworthy engine soon and it will take about 18 months to get it flight worthy!

Fascinating, were they making a film.. or were they original crew? When was this..late '60s? Great old video all the same.

Wonderful :) Shame no sound :( Is that a Lightning next to her? What was shadowing the flight? Good luck in getting up again :)

I just added a 'Comment' on this Video footage. Rob Leigh - any reason for it to have been removed ? Would be very interested to know if I've done anything wrong or breached RU-vid rules with anything I posted.

Year ? Did I see a Rover 2000TC, so I'd say 66/8 ?

That looks like Richard Todd filmed with the dog!?

Who was the actual pilot for these last flights...?

what year is this? 1960's ?