Dambusters Lancasters practising is a photograph by Gary Eason which was uploaded on September 3rd, 2013.
Dambusters Lancasters practising
The RAF's 617 Squadron rehearsed for Operation Chastise, the attack on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, by practising on three reservoirs in England in... more
by Gary Eason
Title
Dambusters Lancasters practising
Artist
Gary Eason
Medium
Photograph - Digital Picture
Description
The RAF's 617 Squadron rehearsed for Operation Chastise, the attack on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, by practising on three reservoirs in England in particular: the Derwent, the Eyebrook, and this one - then newly built, Abberton Reservoir in Essex, referred to in the squadron's records as "Colchester Lake". Improbably, given the landscape, it was the substitute for the target at the Eder. The specially adapted Type 464 (Provisioning) Lancaster bombers were flown at just 60ft above the water - purely by eye until spotlights were devised, converging at the correct height.
Uploaded
September 3rd, 2013
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Comments (7)
Gary Eason
If you wish to know more, you can read an entry about the spotlights used by 617 Squadron in my blog: http://www.aerialcombat.co.uk/2013/02/seeing-the-lights.html
Dave Luebbert
What a beautiful panoramic regarding the historic planes and missions! The 1950's film about it is one of my favorites, and the spotlights it used were a great part of the story of many people and their ingenuity.
Marvin Spates
Wow very nicely done!!! vf
Gary Eason replied:
Thanks Marvin: it is a scene that is little known about and even more rarely portrayed.
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