In the January 2021 issue of FlyPast, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the iconic Avro Lancaster’s first flight with a series of themed features. Former editor Nigel Price reflects on the history of the RAF Museum’s famous ‘S-for-Sugar’, an artist’s impression which adorns our cover. We also include articles on more unusual aspects of the bomber’s history, while Steve Beebee looks forward to the day when a third airworthy Lancaster – the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre’s ‘Just Jane’ – can take to the sky.

MIGHTY STRATOJET
Boasting six engines on an innovative swept-wing design, Boeing’s B-47 Stratojet must have resembled something from science fiction when it first flew in 1947. In our popular Classics section, author Robert Hopkins looks back on this famous jet, supported by rarely seen images and exclusive artwork profiles.

SKYDANCING STEARMANS
Assistant editor Jamie Ewan profiles AeroSuperBatics, the world’s sole formation wing walking display team.

GERMANY’S ‘SUICIDE SQUAD’
Ian Baxter relates the alarming story of the Luftwaffe’s World War Two ‘Rammkommando’ pilots.

CALIFORNIAN EAGLES
A very special fly-in was held at California’s Cable Airport. Frank B Mormillo witnessed this unusual gathering of classic machines.

INSIDE KENNET’S WORKSHOP
Life is being breathed back into the UK’s airworthy Seafire population thanks to Kennet Aviation, as Darren Harbar discovers.

We also look at the RAF Museum Cosford’s rarely seen Hawker Tempest as the attraction’s award-winning conservation centre prepared for its annual open week, and celebrate the return of a Bristol Fighter to its spiritual home of Filton. Robin Evans tells the story of pioneering Antarctic aviators braving the harshest of flying conditions, while Roger Taylor details the remarkable exploits of World War One bomber pilot Frank Digby. We also bring you news of a unique Spitfire that has just flown in Russian markings from Biggin Hill.