GEORGE RETURNS

Flight Journal, Apr 2004 by Hastings, Paul

Hot off the wire from the world of flight

THE AUSTRALIAN WAR Memorial's historic Avro Lancaster Mk 1 W4783, "G for George" returns as the center of the Memorial's new display, "Striking By Night."

The bomber, which flew 90 missions across Europe in 1943 and 1944 with 460 Squadron RAAF, underwent an extensive four-year restoration to correct structural problems and to return it to its original color scheme. Crack-testing was carried out on weight-bearing stress points, and a damaged undercarriage support and a crack in one of the main wing attachments were repaired.

From 1945 to 1954, it was displayed outside at RAAF Base Fairbairn in Canberra and subjected to vandalism and weather damage. Many instruments were removed and some windows were smashed. Other windows had become fragile and were replaced, and extensive, but light, corrosion was found. The port-wing leading and trailing edges were repaired, but very little metal was replaced.

A few internal fittings were replaced, but the rear turret had to be rebuilt. Parts were imported from the UK, and the irreplaceable tail-gunner's ammunition tracks (damaged in the '50s) were repaired.

The most difficult job was returning "George" to its original color scheme. Staff and volunteers spent thousands of hours sanding through the various paint layers to establish the bomber's WW II scheme.

Messages written inside by wartime crews were preserved, and the correct matte camouflage scheme replaced the previous glossy paint job.

One result of the work is that the Memorial staff was able to document the extent of the battle damage. The complete tailplane, the mainplane leading and trailing edges and the stern frame were all replaced during WW II; while on the ground, "George" was hit by a Merlin engine when a 4,000-pound "cookie" exploded on a nearby Lancaster bomber. More than 40 battle-damage repairs were uncovered.

-Paul Hastings