Gallery 5

This page show various photographs of 97 Squadron aircraft.

(Above) A rare photograph of a 97 Squadron Whitley bomber probably taken at Abingdon in 1939.

(Below) Lancaster EE176 N-Nuts at Bourn in 1943. Squadron Leader Sauvage is in discussion with his crew to the right.

(Below) EE176 once again, this time being "bombed up" (loaded with its bombs) on dispersal at Bourn in 1943. If you look carefully, to the left of the photo you can see a bicycle propped up against the 4000lb "cookie" bomb. Bicycles were the most practical and popular method of transport for personnel at the large sprawling airfields

(Below) The nose of Pilot Officer Doug Jones' Lancaster, known affectionately as "The Muchty Queen"

(Below) Another picture of a Lancaster being "bombed up" at Bourn whilst waiting at its dispersal point. This photo illustrates how many ground crew were involved in getting a bomber ready for its next operation.

Milan Daylight raid, October 1942

97 Squadron Lancasters over the Bay of Biscay, October 1942

The above two rare Lancaster photos were snapped by Ron Irons from his aircraft.

The bottom picture shows 97 Squadron aircraft en route to bomb a factory at Le Creseot in France.

Avro Lancaster R5548 OF - A "Q-Queenie"

(Above) Lancaster Q-Queenie in full flight. This Lancaster bore the signature of HM Queen Elizabeth in a card on the nose section, hence the aircraft being known as Q-Queenie despite bearing the callsign A-Alpha.

(Above) This copy of a fine painting was provided by David Layne who commissioned artist Terry Shelbourne of Grantham to paint JA708P for his father (Wally Layne DFC) in 1976.

(Below) is a photo of the Lancaster that Sgt Sibbald flew in (note the two port engines are feathered). The Lancaster is PB410 OF-J.

Squadron Leader Canever's Lancaster

(Above) This fine painting depicts the 97 Squadron Lancaster flown by Squadron Leader Dickie Canever DFC & Bar, who served with the Squadron for the final year of the Second World War. It is signed (see bottom left) by Canever and was sent to us by the artist Robert Bearman, who kindly gave permission for it to be displayed on this site. Sadly, Squadron Leader Canever passed away in March 2007.

Operation Red Lion II, 28th April - 8th June 1948

(Above) One of the six 97 Squadron Avro Lincolns that took part in Operation Red Lion II. This is Lincoln A-Able at Negombo Airfield on 4th May.

(Below) 97 Squadron's Lincolns being refuelled at Tengah in Singapore, where they were based between 7th May and 4th June.

(Above) A cockpit view of 97 Squadron Lincolns flying in formation above the cloud over Singapore on 14th May 1948.

(Below) Three 97 Squadron Lincolns on a formation flying exercise near Hemswell in 1948

Operation Eastwind, Egypt - 11th November to 20th December 1948

(Above) 97 Squadron Lincolns at Khartoum Airfield.

(Below) Some of the Squadron's aircrew sunbathing outside Hut 38

97 Squadron Avro Lincoln, Shallufa, Christmas 1949

(Above) This is a photo of a 97 Squadron Avro Lincoln aircraft on the runway at Shallufa in Egypt during Operation Sunray in 1949.