Win a print of the BBMF Lancaster signed by veterans

For this month’s Club members’ ballot prize, we’re giving away a very special print of the BBMF Lancaster, signed by 12 Bomber Command aircrew veterans.

We will randomly select one Club member to win the prize.

About the prize
This print, produced by Squadron Prints in 2017, is unusual in that it shows both sides of BBMF Lancaster B1 PA474 in its current livery. Text at the bottom explains the markings on the Lancaster and this is flanked by the badges of the two wartime squadrons represented.

What makes this print extra special is that it is signed by no fewer than 12 Second World War veterans of Bomber Command, most of whom are no longer with us, making this prize completely priceless.

The signatures include, but are not limited to:

• Jan Stangryciuk Black - Lancaster rear gunner with 300 (Polish) Sqn. Jan sustained serious burns trying to rescue his pilot after a night crash-landing during training in a Wellington, resulting in six months in hospital, 10 operations for burns treatment and membership of the Guinea Pig Club. He went on to fly 18 wartime operations as a rear gunner on Lancasters. Jan was the last surviving member of the Guinea Pig Club and died aged 101 in October 2023.
   
• Reg Payne – Lancaster Wireless Operator with 50 Sqn. Reg was the wireless operator in Michael Beetham's crew during their 1943/44 tour with 50 Sqn. He completed over 30 ‘ops’, including 10 to Berlin. In February 1943, whilst on a training flight, one of his Lancaster’s engines caught fire. Reg bailed out landing near RAF East Kirkby. Sadly, two of his crew members lost their lives during the crash. After the war, Reg became a talented aviation artist, and wrote a book, ‘First Wave’, about his wartime experiences. He died in January 2022 aged 98.
   
• Norman Gregory – Lancaster bomb aimer with 101 (Special Duties) Sqn. On his fifth ‘op’ on 22nd May 1944, Norman’s Lancaster was shot down over Dortmund, Germany. He was one of only three of the crew to escape the stricken Lancaster. He spent the rest of the war as a POW and was on the infamous ‘Long March’ in early 1945. Norman died in August 2022, aged 100.
   
• Rusty Waughman – Lancaster pilot with 101 (Special Duties) Sqn. Rusty was aged 20 when he began flying on operations in November 1943. He completed over 30 missions as a Lancaster pilot with 101 Sqn, which had the highest losses of any Bomber Command unit during the Second World War. He also survived a mid-air collision with his crew unscathed. Rusty diedin December 2023, aged 100.
   
• Ken Johnson – Lancaster mid-upper gunner with 61 and 9 Sqns. Ken flew a total of 44 wartime operations in Lancasters as an air gunner. After completing 33 operations with 61 Sqn, he volunteered for a second operational tour, joining 9 Sqn at Bardney. With 9 Squadron he was involved in ‘Tallboy’ attacks against the battleship Tirpitz and the raid against Hitler’s Alpine retreat at Berchtesgaden. On 25th July 1944 his 61 Sqn Lancaster was hit by bombs dropped from another Lancaster above, over the target, during a daylight raid. His Lancaster lost about four feet off the starboard wing tip, the starboard fin and rudder was knocked off, and most distressingly so was the rear turret, carrying Ken’s friend and fellow gunner, Canadian Jack Foy, to his death. Ken passed away in January 2020, aged 95.
   
• Henry Wagner – Halifax navigator with 51 Sqn. On 18th December 1944, on his eighth ‘op’, a dawn raid on Duisburg, Henry’s Halifax was badly damaged over the target and the crew were ordered to bail out. Henry was the only survivor from the crew. He landed behind enemy lines, and after six days on the run he was captured on Christmas Eve 1944. After enduring the ‘Long March’ Henry was finally liberated, returning home on 15th May 1945. Henry died in November 2020, aged 97.
   
• Eddie Kelly – Lancaster navigator with 44 Sqn:  Eddie served in the RAF for 41 years in total. During the war he flew with 524 Squadron (Wellingtons), 86 Squadron (Liberators in the Far East) and 44 Squadron (Lancasters) and completed two full tours. He then flew Lincolns and Lancasters during the Berlin Airlift and later Canberra's (his favourite) during the Suez Crisis. Eddie is 101 in December 2024.
   

How to enter the ballot if you are not a Club member
All current members have been automatically entered into this month’s ballot. If you’re not already a member, please join the club by 31st December 2024. If your Club membership has lapsed you can renew by clicking here.

As well as being entered into this month’s prize draw, you’ll also receive a Club membership pack. Members will also receive our Club magazine, along with monthly e-newsletters with content exclusive to Club members.