Aeroplane Monthly 1983-09
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A.Henshaw - First off the line
The Castle Bromwich Flight Shed and apron with 43 Spitfires, four Lancasters, an Oxford and a Boston visible. The author's flight office can be seen on the corner of building.
The author enjoys a tea break in between testing Spitfires at Castle Bromwich.
The Castle Bromwich flight test crew. From left to right, Flt Lt Jim Rosser, the author, Olaf Ulstad and Venda Jicha with Lancaster HK535 behind flanked by two Spitfires.
The first Castle Bromwich-built Lancaster during a test flight. HK535 went straight to 463 Sqn but was lost over Lille on the night of 10-11 May, 1944.
Lancaster I HK554 was built at Castle Bromwich and is seen here in 1944 at Mepal, Cambs. The 75 Sqn crew survey damage to the aircraft sustained during the previous night's raid. HK554 subsequently flew with 44 Sqn and was struck off RAF charge on March 31, 1946.
Castle Bromwich's first Lancaster, HK535, photographed shortly after it was completed.