RAF BBMF to host Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster during visit to England in August 2014.
The last two Lancaster bombers still flying in the world will come together in a series of events this summer, in a meeting unlikely to happen ever again.
The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (RAF BBMF) based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire will welcome the arrival of a very special guest during August 2014 when the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) fly their prized Avro Lancaster to the UK for a month long visit.
The Canadian Lancaster will join the only other airworthy Lancaster in the world, owned and operated by the RAF BBMF, and participate in several events and activities while overseas.
CWHM Lancaster – courtesy RAF BBMF
The CWHM Lancaster will depart from Hamilton, Ontario on August 4th with plans to arrive in England on August 8th. The North Atlantic crossing will include en-route stops at Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, Narsarsuaq, Greenland, and Keflavik, Iceland, prior to arriving in the UK.
Shortly after arriving, the Lancaster will undergo a scheduled maintenance inspection. The CWHM crews will then complete a short training program with the BBMF in preparation to participate in several air displays and fly pasts with the BBMF Lancaster and fighters starting on August 14th. These displays will celebrate the exceptionally close British/Canadian relationship and to commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of Commonwealth Bomber crews and the professionalism of both nations’ air forces today. The CWHM Lancaster will also conduct a limited number of UK Bomber Membership flights from Humberside Airport, flying over historic Lincolnshire for those fortunate few who have obtained CWHM UK Bomber Memberships. Further information on the UK Bomber Memberships can be found at www.warplane.com.
PA474 – © John Dibbs & courtesy RAF BBMF
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum President and CEO, Sqn Ldr (Ret.) David G. Rohrer C.D. who is a current Lancaster pilot, stated that this Trans Atlantic crossing and visit to the BBMF and England is a “Once in a Lanc Time” event as it will not happen again. Rohrer indicated that this year, “a rare window of opportunity was identified to bring the last two flying Lancasters in the world together as a special salute to all the veterans of Bomber Command, many of whom are in their late 80s or older now”. It is also an opportunity for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum to fly together and showcase a flying display and tribute to all those who served in the time of need, in Canada, Britain, and the entire Commonwealth, that likely will never be seen again.
Officer Commanding the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Sqn Ldr Dunc Mason said, “To see these two aircraft flying at events together will be a unique sight and also the opportunity to truly commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Lest We Forget”.
We’re looking forward to it already – what an incredible piece of news.
My first flight in an aircraft was whilst doing my national service, it was a night flight, circuits and bumps in a Lancaster of 236OCU at Kinloss. In the following twelve months I had three more return trips to the south of England on long weekend leave, I live in Bournemouth. Flights were to Benson, Thorney Island, AND Tangmere. I always enjoy seeing the BBMF Lancaster in the air so it will be wonderful to see two.
Will she be at the riat fairford
She doesn’t arrive until August, so I’m afraid not.
A cousin of mine was rear gunner in a Lancaster and died when his plane was shot down over Germany. It was reported, apparently by another crew, that as his plane went down the rear gunner managed to take down a Messerschmitt that was following it to ensure the ‘kill’.
It was also my cousin who was a rear gunner on a Lancaster but unfortunately we never found out exactly what happened.
A can remember as a little girl watching these wonderful aircraft flying over when I was in my bedroom…my brother and I used to stay up quite late watching the German bombers going over to Bristol and Coventry. The Lancasters were a sight to behold and it was so sad to know how many didn’t make it back home. Rest in peace all of you who were crew members.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the two Lancs overfly East Kirby, with Just Jane on the ground running up her Merlins!
Having both Lancasters flying together over here will be awesome. For those of us who were around in WW2 it will be both inspiring and emotional. I clearly remember seeing squadrons of them flying out on a mission and watching as few as 3 or 4 limping back to base. Sad days and such a waste of human lives.
The Canadian Lancaster is well known as “The Minarski Lancaster” and I hope it will put in an appearance at the former RAF Middleton St. George in County Durham, now Durham Tees Valley Airport, from where Minarski won his Victoria Cross in WW2.
This is going to be the event of the season, I hope I can make one of the displays, a relative of mine was part of a bomber crew and flew as a W/O.
I hope they can make it to Waddington as we go there every year to the air show.
Sadly the Canadian Lanc won’t be here then, Elizabeth, but the BBMF will be there.
Sorry to disappoint everyone but UNLESS Special Events are rapidly AND advertised organised there may be very few opportunities for the public to see these two together displaying as a look at the August airshow calendar will confirm. Exceptions MAY be Eastbourne and Duxford (and likely East Kirkby and Jersey) ??. Now if it stops as long as September there will be other opportunities, but at the moment it looks to me that they’re more likely to do overflights of previous Lancaster bases for veterans groups/serving personnel plus the Allied Forces Memorial Day. I really hope I’m proved wrong !
All being well, will be more than just those shows, Nigel. I’m sure discussions are already ongoing.