Engine Day Run*

Lancaster Merlin Engine Run-ups* at 10:30 a.m.

Ian Willoughby Bazalgette, VC, DFC (19 October 1918 – 4 August 1944) was a Canadian-British pilot in the Royal Air Force who was a member of RAF Bomber Command in World War II. On 4 August 1944, piloting an Avro Lancaster in a pathfinder role, Bazalgette and crew flew to Trossy St. Maximin in France to mark a V-1 flying bomb storage cave. Bazalgette’s Lancaster was severely damaged by flak prior to arrival at the target and quickly set on fire. Despite the condition of his aircraft, Bazalgette continued to the target and accurately dropped his markers. After completing their task Bazalgette ordered his crew to bail out, however, two members of the crew were injured and unable to jump. Rather than saving himself and leaving the two men to die, Bazalgette attempted to land the burning plane to save his two crew members. Bazalgette landed the plane, but it exploded almost immediately upon alighting, killing all three airmen. For his actions, on 14 August 1945, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

* Engine run-ups are subject to the aircraft being serviceable and other factors.
*Engine run times are subject to change.

This book is available in the Museum Gift Shop.