The Avro Lancaster – a historic, aeronautical icon…

The Avro Lancaster is one of the most well-known heavy bombers that participated in the Second World War, and is iconic when thinking about the contribution it had towards the Allies achieving victory over tyranny and persecution.

Out of the thousands that were built during wartime, only two Avro Lancaster’s exist today that are still airworthy – one of which is the Avro Lancaster PA474.

Lancaster B1 PA474 28 May 1988 - The Avro Lancaster – a historic, aeronautical icon…
The Avro Lancaster PA474 in flight during Air Fete’88, at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk.

The Avro Lancaster PA474 was built in 1945 at the Vickers Armstrong Factory at Harwarden Airfield in Chester, and was originally used for strategic bombings in the Far East. After the war ended when Japan surrendered, the Lancaster PA474 was assigned to Photographic Reconnaissance duties in Africa, before being used as a pilotless drone, and even appeared in two iconic filmsThe Guns of Navarone and Operation Crossbow.

In 1973, this Lancaster was restored back to wartime standard and joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby (BBMF). The BBMF’s main purpose is to maintain the priceless artefacts of our national heritage in airworthy condition, in order to promote the modern day Air Force and to inspire future generations.

750px A flypast of three planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight during the International Air Day at RNAS Yeovilton. MOD 45145202 - The Avro Lancaster – a historic, aeronautical icon…
A flypast of three planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight during the International Air Day at RNAS Yeovilton. Photo credit: LA(PHOT) Paul A’Barrow./MOD

In 2015, the Avro Lancaster PA474 had an in-flight engine fire. The aluminium engine casing from this was then melted down, and sculpted into models of Lancaster planes, which you can now own in this historic commemorative…

The BRAND NEW Avro Lancaster Provenance Medal

Today, a small number of collectors have the chance to own a BRAND NEW Commemorative featuring an ACTUAL piece of the Avro Lancaster PA474 that flew during the war.

The Avro Lancaster PA474 Commemorative Product Images Lifestyle Commemorative Front 1 - The Avro Lancaster – a historic, aeronautical icon…

This incredible commemorative features an original piece of Avro Lancaster, hand-sculpted into the shape of a Lancaster and precision set into the deluxe SUPERSIZE 70mm Medal.

Just 250 lucky collectors will have the chance to own this special commemorative. The last Provenance medal featuring a piece of Hurricane SOLD OUT in a matter of weeks.

Click here to secure your Lancaster Commemorative while you still can!

The day a Hawker Hurricane SAVED Buckingham Palace

On 15th September 1940 (later known as Battle of Britain Day), the Luftwaffe launched its largest and most concentrated attack against London in the hope of drawing the RAF to annihilation.

One German Dornier lagged behind and then started heading straight for Buckingham Palace. Sergeant Pilot Ray Holmes attempted to shoot it down before running out of ammunition. Without hesitation, he knew what he had to do; he had to hit it. At speeds in excess of 400mph, they collided.

nose dive - The day a Hawker Hurricane SAVED Buckingham Palace
The Dornier falling on Victoria Station after being rammed by Sergeant Pilot Ray Holmes

The Dornier crashed to earth, prevented from destroying the Palace. The Hurricane TM-B was also critically damaged and entered a vertical dive. Seeing there was no way to save the aircraft, an injured Holmes ejected to safety while the Hurricane plummeted to the ground, crashing where Buckingham Palace Road meets Pimlico Road and Ebury Bridge. Amazingly, these were the only two aircraft to crash on the City of London throughout the entire war.

The recovery of the remains…

Chris Bennett, a veteran of several aircraft excavations, decided to take on the project of excavating this famous aircraft; which was no easy task considering the Hurricane was buried underneath one of London’s busiest roads. After 13 years of planning and setbacks, he finally got the go-ahead to begin excavation, as well as TV production company Mentorn securing a spot on Channel 5 for a live broadcast!

engine uncovered - The day a Hawker Hurricane SAVED Buckingham Palace
The Merlin engine from the Hurricane was discovered in 2012 under Buckingham Palace Road

The recovered Merlin engine, along with other parts, were exhibited at the ‘Westminster at War’ exhibition in Leicester Square and then at the Imperial War Museum. The aluminium engine casing however, was melted down and cast into sculptures, the first two of which were presented to Ray Holme’s family and Her Majesty the Queen.

Queen with sculpture - The day a Hawker Hurricane SAVED Buckingham Palace
Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip were presented with a sculpture of the Hurricane cast from the aluminium engine casing

The BRAND NEW Hawker Hurricane Provenance Medal

And now, a small number of collectors have the chance to own a BRAND NEW Commemorative featuring an ACTUAL piece of the plane that Ray Holmes was flying on the 15th September 1940 when he saved Buckingham Palace!

Hurricane Medal LIFESTYLE CLOSE UP - The day a Hawker Hurricane SAVED Buckingham Palace
The Hawker Hurricane P2725 TM-B Commemorative

This incredible commemorative features an original piece of Hawker Hurricane, meticulously hand-sculpted into the shape of the iconic plane and precision set into the deluxe SUPERSIZE 70mm Medal.

Even without the genuine piece of Hawker Hurricane, this medal is a work of engineering art in its own right. Combined with the original piece of the Hawker Hurricane, you’d have to look for many years to find something better.

Just 250 lucky collectors have the chance to own this special new commemorative. Last year’s Provenance medal featuring a piece of Spitfire SOLD OUT in a matter of days. Click here to secure your Hurricane Commemorative while you still can!

Hurricane Medal BOX - The day a Hawker Hurricane SAVED Buckingham Palace