Press Release - The Lost Dambuster Lancaster

On Saturday 16th May 2026, Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby will host the launch of a new book “ The Lost Dambuster Lancaster”, describing the last flight of Lancaster DV403 as it departed nearby RAF Woodhall Spa to attack the V2 site at Wizernes, Northern France.

After years of painstaking research, Professor Trevor Kerry and French author Gaëtan Sagot have joined forces to produce this riveting account of the fate of this famous bomber and its crew and the aftermath story of the heroism of the French Resistance, treating the injured and subsequently burying the dead crew members.

On 24th June 1944, eighteen aircraft of the famous 617 Sqn Dambuster Sqn took off on this epic raid to destroy the V2 site employing the new Tallboy deep-penetration bomb designed by Barnes Wallis.

The launch will take place at 12.30 on Saturday 16th.

Professor Kerry, and eight surviving family members, will be in attendance at the launch to sign copies and give a short talk on the book, as well as answering questions from the press and media. Copies will be available from the Heritage Centre’s bookshop.

The event is being promoted by Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL).

There will be an opportunity to view memorabilia relating to 617 Squadron and the DV403 crew kindly brought by relatives of the crewmen and by local aviation enthusiasts. There will also be a rare opportunity to see the logbook of one crew member: F/O Bill King, DFC, Flight Engineer.

Contact details - Professor Kerry tk.consultancy@ntlworld.com - Dave Harrigan dave.harrigan@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, PE23 4DE tel: 01790 763207

Soldiers From The Sky project website

This project was funded by the UK National Lottery Heritage Fund and managed by South Kesteven District Council

The aim of the project is to shine a light on the history and activities of the Airborne Forces of the United Kingdom, United States and Poland, who were based in and flew from South Kesteven during World War II.

Information boards have been installed at key locations, commemorative events organized, cycle and driving routes mapped, heritage roadshows organized and public talks delivered.

This website is a major part of the project and is intended to provide extensive information to a worldwide audience, and to help provide an enduring legacy for the project.

Website link - Soldiers from the sky

Can you help the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre?

The Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre has just received a replica Lancaster cockpit donated by the family of Léon Ellison, who spent years building it, but who sadly passed away in 2024.

The BBC carried a news article about it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g4k540e5yo.

The Metheringham team needs to fit a clear door to restrict access to the simulator, but which allows visitors to see into it. Ideally, the door should be made of acrylic sheet or something similar.

The size of the acrylic sheet needed is approximately 160cm x 80cm; it needs to be a ‘D’ shape with a flat bottom (see photo). It will probably need to be 6mm-10mm thick to prevent cracking, and it will need to be hinged and have a latch to secure it in the closed position. The team can have the sheet cut to size locally if needed.

If anyone can help the team with materials or ideas, please contact Ian Brett at pandibrett@gmail.com.

Very many thanks in advance for any help!