Access to aviation history
01 May 2008
RAF Coningsby is the home of the UK's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of historic World War Two combat aircraft, including the sole surviving airworthy Avro Lancaster four-engined, heavy bomber in Europe. Working closely with Coningsby engineers and The Defence Logistics Organisation at RAF Wyton, Planet Platforms provided an Alutec staging solution designed specifically with this aircraft's special needs in mind. Two identical modular units were supplied, each with five separate sections (2 stairs, front staging and 2 infills), to allow different configurations. When assembled each unit is 3.373 m (11 ft) high, 4.3 m (16 ft) wide and 3.2 m (10.5 ft).
In the main configuration, the modular Alutec platforms are shaped to dock around the contours of the four 1,460 bhp Rolls Royce Merlin engines and the three-blade propellers, around which most of the maintenance and inspection work is carried out. The platforms can also be separated and reconfigured, providing the Lancaster's 25-strong ground crew with safe access to every area of the aircraft that cannot be reached from ground level.
The plane is affectionately known as Mickey the Moocher and is one of only two airworthy Lancasters in the world. It operates alongside a Dakota transport, two Hurricane fighters, two Chipmonk trainers and five Spitfires to make up the BBMF.