October 12, 2015 5.34 pm This story is over 100 months old

Lancaster bomber flies again after engine fire damage

Back in the sky: Lincolnshire’s Lancaster bomber Thumper III has flown for the first time after being grounded for five months.

Lincolnshire’s Lancaster bomber Thumper III has flown for the first time after being grounded for five months due to an engine fire.

Based at RAF Coningsby, the aircraft took the skies for a test flight on Monday, October 12, for the delight of hundred of onlookers.

As previously reported, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) aircraft was forced into an emergency landing at RAF Coningsby on May 7 after a fire broke out in the engine mid flight.

The bomber was examined by engineers to determine the extent of the damage and the aircraft missed most of the 2015 display season as repair work was carried out.

The aircraft was due to fly at the Gedling Show in Nottinghamshire, the Bournemouth Air Festival and the fateful Shoreham Air Show in Sussex.

It was also unable to perform at the grand opening of the International Bomber Command Centre memorial on Canwick Hill on October 2.

Photo: Crown Copyright 2015

Photo: Crown Copyright 2015

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