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By Ed Chatterton
A rare control wheel from the cockpit of a Second World War Lancaster Bomber has been unearthed after gathering dust in a loft for 50 years.
The "yoke" from one of Britain's most iconic planes was recovered from a crash site near Brands Hatch over five decades ago by a man who kept it in his attic all of his life.
The piece of military memorabilia, which is at least 75 years old, is now expected to soar at auction after it was recently found at a farmhouse near Gravesend.
The basic-looking black control wheel from the Avro Lancaster comes complete with brake lever and mounting for the radio transmit button.
It dates back to the 1939-45 conflict when the legendary RAF planes were used in night-time raids over Nazi Germany and most famously of all – the Dam Busters mission.
The wartime item has been given a guide price of between £200 to £300 but auctioneers expect it to fetch much more as opportunities to buy them are so scarce.
Chris Kirkham, associate director at Hansons London, said: “The vendor found the item in the loft. It had been stored at the home for around 50 years.
"Her late husband came across the wheel at an aircraft crash site in Kent together with other plane parts we are selling in Hansons London’s June auction, all from the Battle of Britain period.”
Hansons’ militaria expert Adrian Stevenson added: “This is a rare, original and highly sought-after item taken from the cockpit of the iconic Second World War bomber.
"These seldom come onto the collectors’ market.
“This example is in unrestored condition and has the original covering to the yoke. It is complete with its brake lever and mounting for the radio transmit button.
“The Lancaster became famous for night-time raids over Nazi Germany.
"More than 55,000 aircrew lost their lives carrying out these missions. The Lancaster Bomber achieved its finest hour with 617 Squadron, The Dam Busters.”
In May 1943 Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron carried out Operation Chastise, later called The Dam Busters.
The Lancaster’s versality meant it could carry a bouncing bomb developed by Barnes Wallis – and German dams were targeted.
The Möhne and Edersee dams were breached causing catastrophic flooding of the Ruhr valley and villages in the Eder valley.
The devastating attack, later retold in 1955 film The Dam Busters, also took out two hydroelectric power stations.
In addition, factories and mines were destroyed and an estimated 1,600 civilians, about 600 Germans and 1,000 mainly Soviet forced labourers, died.
The Avro Lancaster, manufactured by Avro, was designed by Roy Chadwick and powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlins and in one version, Bristol Hercules engines.
It first saw service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942.
It became the principal heavy bomber used by the RAF, the RCAF and squadrons from other Commonwealth and European countries serving within the RAF, overshadowing the Halifax and Stirling.
The ‘Lanc’, as it was known, became one of the most heavily used night bombers during the Second World War, delivering 608,612 long tons of bombs in 156,000 sorties.
Mr Stevenson added: “This find will interest militaria and aviation enthusiasts all over the world. It is a formidable piece of wartime history.
"I expect this to fly at auction, and potentially smash its guide price.”
The Avro Lancaster bomber yoke will be sold at Hansons in London on June 27 in an online auction.
