Low-level Flying Photography
70th Anniversary of the Dambuster Raid
Ladybower Reservoir, Derwent Valley
May 16, 2013
|
The 70th anniversary commemorative flypast comprised Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) aircraft Spitfire PR.XIX (PM631) and Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474) now painted to represent 617 Squadron Lancaster DV 385 'KC-A' with nose art 'Thumper Mk.III'. These were closely followed by two Tornado GR.4s (ZA492 callsign 'Gibson 1' and ZA412 callsign 'Gibson 2') both special 70th Anniversary painted tails.
All aircraft flew from and to RAF Coningsby, the Tornado pair were temporarily relocated from their home base of RAF Lossiemouth with a spare aircraft (plain tail) for a week, a Tornado pair (inc plain tail) did practice runs on the Monday and Tuesday before.
The full fly-past;
13:00 Spitfire north to south over Derwent Dam at 200 feet and Ladybower Reservoir.
13:01 Lancaster north to south over Derwent Dam at 150 feet.
13:03 Tornado pair ('Gibson Flight') north to south over Derwent at 250 feet.
13:05 Lancaster south to north over Derwent Dam at 250 feet.
13:06 Spitfire south to north over Derwent Dam at 350 feet.
13:10 Lancaster north to south over Derwent Dam at 150 feet, heads for Chatsworth House for a flypast due at 13:20.
13:10 Spitfire north to south over Derwent Dam at 250 feet, heads for Chatsworth House for a flypast due at 13:20.
13:12 Tornado 'Gibson 1' north to south over Derwent at 250 feet.
13:12 Tornado 'Gibson 2' north to south over Derwent at 250 feet.
13:20 Tornado 'Gibson 1' north to south over Derwent at 250 feet.
13:20 Tornado 'Gibson 2' north to south over Derwent at 250 feet.
(All AGL heights are estimated). |
 |
| The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A') about to pass over the Derwent Dam at around 200 feet. |
| Left to right: BBMF Spitfire PR.XIX (PM631) made the first pass closely followed by Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A') named 'Thumper Mk.III'. |
| Left to right: The BBMF Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474) about to pass over the Derwent Dam it had its bomb doors open for the first run. |
| Left to right: The BBMF Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474) about to pass over the Derwent Dam it had its bomb doors open for the first run. |
| Panavia Tornado GR.4s (ZA492 and ZA412) of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron using using callsigns 'Gibson 1 and 2'. |
| Left to right: Tornado GR.4s (ZA492 and ZA412) of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. |
| Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A') on its return run about to pass over the dam for the second time. |
| Left to right: Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A'). |
| Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A') on its third and final run about to pass over the dam. |
Left to right: BBMF Spitfire PR.XIX (PM631) on its second pass. Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A') on its final pass.
|
| Left to right: Avro Lancaster B1 (PA474 'KC-A'). |
| Tornado GR.4 (ZA492) of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron using callsign 'Gibson 1'. |
| Left to right: Tornado GR.4 (ZA492) of 617 'Dambuster' Squadron. |
| Left to right: Tornado GR.4 (ZA412) of 617 'Dambuster' Squadron. |
| Tornado GR.4 (ZA492) of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. |
| Left to right: Tornado GR.4 (ZA492) of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. |
| Tornado GR.4 (ZA412) of 617 'Dambustesr' Squadron using callsign 'Gibson 2'. |
Left to right: Tornado GR.4 (ZA412) of 617 'Dambusters' Squadron.
|
