Canadian Lanc visiting the UK this year

I've heard from a very reliable source that they may have to cut back on the number of events that VERA will attend. They are used to flying maybe 4 events a year and not 4 a week and the 2 Pilots are knackered. One of the Pilots, the one that flew most of the ferry flight over here is in his 70's so hats off to him for his efforts. I also made reference to the possibility of the BBMF Lanc going to Canada but it's already been ruled out as there isn't the same following over there that there is here. The Canadian crew have been overwhelmed by the General Public and can't believe the reception they are receiving where ever they go.

One hell of an achivement from all those involved. Amazing time for those pilots, crew and ground crews and for all of the public. WWII history is alive and well and thriving :-)

I read a comment somewhere today that there are 2 more Lancasters currently under restoration in Canada.

Anyone confirm this and know locations?

Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_Avro_Lancasters

"Lancaster Mk 10P FM212 was withdrawn from RCAF service in 1962 and placed in storage. The city of Windsor, Ontario purchased the aircraft for use as a memorial and mounted it on a pedestal in Jackson Park in 1965. It was damaged by weather and poor maintenance and replaced by Spitfire and Hurricane replicas on 26 May 2005. Currently being restored by the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, this Lancaster has been renamed "Bad Penny" to commemorate the first RAF Avro Lancaster into Holland during Operation Manna to save the Dutch from starvation in the closing days of World War II, 29 April 1945.[12] On 29 April 2007 (to coincide with the 62nd anniversary of Operation Manna), FM212 was removed from storage in Jackson Park and towed to the Sears parking lot of Devonshire Mall where it was on display and open for tours through the aircraft. On 13 May 2007, FM212 was towed from Devonshire Mall to Windsor Airport where it is on display and undergoing extensive restoration to return the aircraft back to an airworthy status over the next few years.

Lancaster B X FM159 was built in Canada and arrived in Europe after the fighting ended and never saw combat. After returning to Canada and being placed in storage, it served from 1953 to 1955 with the No. 103 Search and Rescue Unit in Greenwood, Nova Scotia before being transferred to Comox, British Columbia to serve as a maritime and ice patrol aircraft. It was withdrawn from RCAF service in 1958 and purchased in 1960 by a trio of men from Nanton, Alberta with a view to building a war museum in their town. The aircraft is currently on display at the Nanton, Alberta, Bomber Command Museum of Canada. It is known as "The Bazalgette Memorial Lancaster" in honour of Ian Willoughby Bazalgette VC of No. 635 Squadron RAF. In 2013 FM159 was able to ground run all four Merlin engines for the first time in 54 years,[5] and in April 2014 was able to taxi under its own power.[citation needed] Work continues to restore the interior and exterior."

Thanks for that.

Sunday 21st September 2 Lancasters will be flying over Derwent Dam

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/news/index.cfm?storyid=29250E9D-5056-A318-A861958C0A76C57F

Mike

Vera on way home to Canada, flew over Waddo earlier with BBMF Lanc, 3x Spitfires and 1 x Hurricane, great sight, sound and send off.

Vera on way home to Canada, flew over Waddo earlier with BBMF Lanc, 3x Spitfires and 1 x Hurricane, great sight, sound and send off.

2x Spits, 2x Hurricanes.

Sunday 21st September 2 Lancasters will be flying over Derwent Dam

I was there. Four hour wait for them to arrive, over two hours to get out of the valley afterwards, and well worth every minute. Very emotional.

I believe it arrived in Iceland around 17.30.

Going....

Going

Going

Gone!:noyay:

Managed to see her 7 times, once with Thumper, near Bardney as they headed towards their rendezvouz with the Vulcan, once when she was out near Louth, once when she was coming back from her engine change, once near Conningsby coming back from a show with Thumper, multiple passes at the 3 Lancasters (rescheduled) show, once as they headed towards the Derwent Dams (Flew passed my house on the edge of Fulbeck Airfield) & now today.

Lucky, ain't I!

Try the second clip on the JEP TV. http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2014/09/23/great-war-trench-fails-to-evoke-fighting-spirit/

2x Spits, 2x Hurricanes.

Correct, I was too busy enjoying a last look at the two Lancs together to take much notice of the fighters, especially as Vera was leading the formation for once...:-D

Correct, I was too busy enjoying a last look at the two Lancs together to take much notice of the fighters, especially as Vera was leading the formation for once...:-D

The first Spit and Hurricane lined up and then the second.

Vera and the BBMF Lanc came taxiing right past us with the crews waving.

The Spits and Hurricanes took off and then Vera did but with full tanks she needed a longer run than normal and the BBMF had its tail up and was off the runway as Vera climbed out.

Makes you think what it would be like with a few tons of bombs added.

They formed up and then came straight over us which was a truly magnificent sight :-D

I was lucky enough to see both at the Goodwood Revival on the Sunday. Thought I was going to be disappointed at first, following the engine problems of earlier, as when they made there first pass, coming from a southerly direction, I could only see one aircraft, then Vera came out from behind the trees that were obscuring my vision of her.

A pleasant surprise and a fantastic sight :-)

I now know why she is called Vera, is this an official name?

My thanks to all those involved with bring her over here, I trust they all got home okay.

Does anyone know if the Mustang got back home okay following her under carriage problem? :shocked:

The Lanc is now at Goose Bay Airport and crew are resting. They should be home on Sunday according to reports.

The Mustang landed safely at Duxford, the undercarriage held fine. Big relief all round!!

I was with a friend when they left and we watched from the end of 41 Sqns pan. We were quite pleased when they taxied past us and my friend Ben was trying to zoom out and couldn't understand why his camera phone wouldn't. He soon understood when he looked from behind his phone to see VeRAs wing above our heads as she taxied past. I wish I could post the vid as we were so close we could smell the petrol and exhaust fumes.