Seen here Wing Commander Gibson and his crew entering their Lancaster AJ-G prior to take-off for Operation Chastise (left). After collecting their flying gear from the flight offices, crews would be transported to their aircraft. Once on board, a series of pre-flight tests were undertaken and only on satisfactory completion of these would the pilot switch off the engines and await the signal to take-off. It was during the pre-flight tests that Flight Lieutenant McCarthy discovered AJ-Q had an engine problem and, therefore, had to fly to the Sorpe Dam in the reserve aircraft AJ-T. Shortly after 21:00, Gibson's wireless operator fired a red Very light, the signal for all First and Second wave Lancasters to start up and move in a predetermined order from their hard stands round the perimeter track to the end of the runway. There, on a green signal from the control caravan, the pilot would commence the run northwards over the grass with his laden aircraft. Several crew members were concerned about whether the Aldis lamps would be misaligned as their aircraft bumped along and more than one pilot maintained that he crawled through, rather than over, the perimeter hedge that night. Gibson led his three Lancasters away at 21:39 after the four Second Wave aircraft, which had already taken off singly. 

CONDITION:    PERFECT

IMAGE SIZE:   6.5" x 3" 

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