(London – October 13th, 2021) Big Little Fish, the unscripted production company led by Mark Procter and Steve Jones, today announces the acquisition by Channel 4 of a new documentary special celebrating one of the most iconic aircraft in history - the AVRO Lancaster.

Narrated by the legendary actor, aviation enthusiast and Honorary Vice Patron of The Royal International Air Tattoo ‘Sir David Jason: The Lancaster at 80’ (1 x 60’) documents how, following heavy losses for RAF Bomber Command squadrons in the early stages of the second world war, AVRO chief designer Roy Chadwick was tasked with creating an aircraft that could not only boost the resolve of aircrews but also enable allied forces to take the war to Hitler’s Germany.

In just over a year the Lancaster had been prototyped, put into production and had entered the conflict – and went on to alter its course with devastating effect. Today, it is rightly celebrated, but its legacy has an often-unacknowledged stain because of the way its staggeringly destructive force was deployed; initially targeting German cities and civilians and, only later, the Nazi war machine.

 The film features key contributions from historians Alexandra Churchill, Dr Peter Johnson, James Holland, authors Leo McKinstry (‘Lancaster’) and Mark Johnson (‘Pilots of the Caribbean’), military history enthusiast Arthur Williams and veteran Lancaster crew-members.

Steve Jones, Co-Founder and CEO at Big Little Fish said: “The Lancaster is so iconic, with such an incredible story, so in the year it turns 80 years old, we really wanted to celebrate it. As an engineering feat, key to the defeat of Nazi Germany, it became a legend - but as one of the first weapons of mass destruction it also has a dark side that makes it all the more fascinating.”

Naomi Rose, Channel 4’s Assistant Editor, “This is a fascinating exploration into one of Britain’s most famous aircraft, told through a brilliant combination of historians and ex Lancaster crew members. The film is a celebration of the Lancaster’s complex engineering and the men and women who built it.  We also take a look at some of the Lancaster’s darker history like Dresden, and the horrifying result of these sometimes-devastating weapons.’

‘The Lancaster at 80’ is produced by Thomas Scott Evans and directed by Matt Harris. Executive Producers for Big Little Fish are Steve Jones and Mark Procter. Commissioning Executive for Channel 4 is Naomi Rose.

International distribution is being handled by Abacus Media Rights.

‘Sir David Jason: The Lancaster at 80’ is the latest production for Big Little Fish, following the commission of ‘Born Mucky’ the 10 x 60’ observational farming documentary series by Quest/ Discovery+ and ‘The Curse of the Highgate Vampire’ for Discovery+.

Big Little Fish are members of the Indielab 2021 programme - the accelerator scheme for UK-based independent producers.