Historic Lancasters' tandem flight takes place in Lincolnshire Published duration 13 August 2014 Related Topics World War Two

media caption The two Lancasters were the first to fly in formation for more than 50 years

Two World War Two Lancasters have flown together for the first time in 50 years.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's aircraft was joined by the only other airworthy example, which had crossed the Atlantic to Lincolnshire.

The pair was due to pass over Lincoln cathedral last Friday but the flight was postponed due to bad weather.

A series of practice flights near RAF Coningsby will now be performed ahead of a month of events across the UK.

image copyright CANADIAN WARPLANE HERITAGE MUSEUM image caption The two aircraft will be taking part in more than 60 events and flypasts during the summer

image copyright Jubilee Park Woodhall image caption The Canadian Lancaster was restored by a team of volunteers over 11 years

image copyright Charlotte Jones image caption Crowds of enthusiasts and passers-by stopped to watch as the aircraft began a series of circuits

image copyright Charlotte Jones image caption Lincolnshire was so dominated by airfields during World War 2 it was known as Bomber County

image copyright Bomber Tour 2014 image caption The two aircraft flew for just under an hour but will be taking part in several more practice sorties

Following a day of maintenance checks after its 3,700-mile journey, the Canadian Lancaster, known as Vera, took off alone on Tuesday evening.

Once this flight was completed successfully, clearance was given for both to fly together.

The Lancaster bomber

image copyright SAC Adam Fletcher

The Lancaster bomber was designed by Roy Chadwick who was born in Farnworth, near Widnes, in 1893

About 7,300 Lancasters were built during World War Two but most of those that survived the fighting were scrapped

The aircraft is best known for its part in attacking German dams in 1943, later turned into The Dam Busters film

The last time two or more Lancasters flew together is believed to have been in Canada in 1964

Watch: Dambusters crew member speaking about the daring mission

Large crowds gathered outside the airbase for the double take-off, which took place just after 13:00 BST.

The first aircraft to take to the skies was one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfires, it was then joined first by the British Lancaster, and finally Vera.

They were in the air for just under an hour but will fly a number of further training sessions.

Stuart Reid, former Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot and aviation historian, said: "This will take some getting used to for the pilots. These are big, heavy aircraft and flying together is hard work.

"The first Lancaster will have a relatively straightforward job but the one behind will have to keep in line, watch the other, handle the buffeting from the slipstream.

"Hats off to them, especially in this wind."

Stan Instone, who was a Lancaster flight engineer in 419 Squadron, was among the crowd.

"The hairs on the back of my neck have stood up - that's what the sound of those Lancasters does to me.

"I wouldn't have believed it was possible. There has been talk about getting them together for years and now, it has come true," he said.