In a replica Lancaster cockpit

Last summer, we spent a good part of a day at the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection near Salisbury. Among the many whole and partial aircraft they have on display is a replica of the front part of a Lancaster, including the cockpit and front turret.

Needless to say we took the opportunity to get inside! 

Getting to the cockpit, past a table with maps and radio equipment, showed that the inside of a Lancaster, no matter how big an aircraft it is, feels a bit claustrophobic. Hard to imagine how it must have felt for the crew in the 1940s, flying at night, through flak and at constant risk of being shot down ...

Space inside the actual cockpit is a bit less cramped, and centre stage are the switches and dials for the four Merlin engines. 

We were not allowed to crawl into the front turret, due to health & safety regulations .... 

There is no original Lancaster at Boscombe, but they did have a nice diorama next to the replica cockpit.