The Phantom of the Ruhr

BBMF Lancaster PA474, RAF Coningsby, April 2007

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight celebrated 50 years in 2007, and underwent a complete refit to fly again in the livery of 550 Squadron Lancaster EE139 the "Phantom of the Ruhr", a ton-up Lancaster that flew her first 30 ops on No. 100 Squadron based at Waltham before completing a further 91 ops on No. 550 Squadron at North Killingholme. She sports the letters HW-R of 100 Squadron on her port side and BQ-B of 550 Squadron on her starboard, effectively commemorating the crews of both Squadrons.

Photographs

The Phantom of the Ruhr - 2007 Unveiling

(click on picture)

The Phantom of the Ruhr - 2007 Unveiling

(click on picture)

The Phantom of the Ruhr - 2007 Unveiling

(click on picture)

Video and Other Recollections

URL	Description
The Phantom of the Ruhr	Video footage of the unveiling
A day to remember	Personal impressions of the day at RAF Coningsby
BBMF Lancaster refit	BBC link for details about the refit
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight celebrates 50 years	Details about the day on this MoD site

Publications

URL	Description
	Aeroplane (July 2007 edition) This edition of Aeroplane magazine contains a six-page article on the events at RAF Coningsby. This includes a potted history of the plane as it served in both 100 Squadron and 550 Squadron, and many photographs from the day including a nice photo of four of the 550 Squadron Association members in front of The Phantom. See: http://www.aeroplanemonthly.com/ (look for back issues).
	Great British Bombers (August 2009 edition, £4.99) Magazine with three articles on the Lancaster heavy bomber. Excellent article on pg 26 which includes a detailed annotated cutaway diagram of a Mk I. The big article is on The Phantom of the Ruhr, including pictures of the unveiling in April 2007. A good picture of 550 Association members standing below the nose-cone painting. Also a picture of the J C Hutcheson crew at the time of BQ-B 100th sortie. Reference is also made to her final flight to Aschaffenburg on 21/22 Nov 1944 after which S/L Willie Caldow had her grounded due to a "twisted fuselage". Finally a third article on "tail-end charlie" the Lanc rear gunner.

URL

Description

Aeroplane (July 2007 edition)

This edition of Aeroplane magazine contains a six-page article on the events at RAF Coningsby.
This includes a potted history of the plane as it served in both 100 Squadron and 550 Squadron, and many photographs from the day including a nice photo of four of the 550 Squadron Association members in front of The Phantom.
See: http://www.aeroplanemonthly.com/ (look for back issues).

Great British Bombers (August 2009 edition, £4.99)

Magazine with three articles on the Lancaster heavy bomber.
Excellent article on pg 26 which includes a detailed annotated cutaway diagram of a Mk I.
The big article is on The Phantom of the Ruhr, including pictures of the unveiling in April 2007. A good picture of 550 Association members standing below the nose-cone painting. Also a picture of the J C Hutcheson crew at the time of BQ-B 100th sortie. Reference is also made to her final flight to Aschaffenburg on 21/22 Nov 1944 after which S/L Willie Caldow had her grounded due to a "twisted fuselage".
Finally a third article on "tail-end charlie" the Lanc rear gunner.