30-05-2025
Iconic Lancaster bomber returns to Hawarden Airport
To mark its 80th anniversary, the aircraft conducted a number of flypasts over the Broughton site on Friday evening, alongside the equally iconic BBMF Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters.
An aerial photo of the Lancaster with the Beluga XL (Image: Airbus) It then landed at the airfield for a warm welcome home from Airbus employees, government officials and community leaders and not least, an Airbus BelugaXL.
(Image: Newsquest) This particular Lancaster, PA474, was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing Wellington and Lancaster bombers.
During this period, the site's legacy of aerospace manufacturing excellence was written by a workforce of Broughton community members ready to meet the challenge of the day; more than half of them were women joining the workforce for the first time.
Decades later, the site continues to set the standard for world-class manufacturing, building wings for the Airbus A320, A330 and A350 commercial aircraft families.
Among them was Ken Shiels (pictured below), aged 99, who worked on the production of Lancaster bombers during the Second World War.
(Image: Airbus) In a nod to this proud past and present, the BBMF Lancaster was met by an Airbus BelugaXL, the aircraft used to transport completed wings from Broughton to Airbus' Final Assembly Lines in Europe.
The Lancaster lands at Broughton (Image: Brian Prydd)
The Lancaster, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London.
The Lancaster photographed from the railway bridge near Chocks Away Diner. (Image: Martin Bailey) The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, RAF, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.
"Thank you to the whole team at Airbus Broughton for the warm welcome.'
(Image: Newsquest) Airbus' head of Broughton site, Gareth Davies, said: 'We are honoured to host the BBMF Lancaster and mark her 80th anniversary as a reminder of the importance of British aerospace history in understanding who we are and where we want to go.
(Image: Phil Bulkeley Photography) "Our Broughton site has a lot to be proud of, producing the wings that half the world flies on. We're a site that epitomises innovation, advanced manufacturing and a proud workforce who are at the top of their game. It's fantastic to be celebrating our heritage with this aircraft.'
Mark Tami MP was in attendance at the event. He said: "It's incredible to see it next to the Beluga, and that it's still flying. It reminds us of the work that was done here (at Broughton) to help the war effort.
"It's a really special day and a privilege to be here."
