Lancaster prototype maiden flight 9th January 1941

Header image: Avro Lancaster prototype BT308 on the airfield at RAF Ringway on 9th January 1941, the date of its maiden flight. (For those who like to test their aircraft recognition skills, what is the aircraft in the background? Answer at the bottom of this item.)

The first prototype Avro Lancaster, BT308, took to the air for the first time 80 years ago this month, on 9th January 1941, from RAF Ringway, Cheshire, near Manchester, flown by company test pilot Captain Harry Albert “Sam” Brown OBE.

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