One of two

[carly_kai]

This is one of only two Avro Lancaster bombers that remain flying in the world - this one based out of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton Ontario took a small trip to the flight line at 8 Wing, CFB Trenton.

 

 

 

Thousands of Canadian aircrew and other personnel served with the RCAF and RAF's Lancaster squadrons in England; and thousands of Canadians at home worked at Victory Aircraft in Malton (Toronto), Ontario, where they produced over 400 Lancaster Mk X's. In total, more than 7300 Lancasters rolled off the production lines in Britain and Canada. Only two still fly.

 
Probably the most famous Allied bomber of World War II, the Lancaster had impressive flying characteristics and operational performance. The Lancaster was the RAF's only heavy bomber capable of carrying the 12,000-lb Tallboy and 22,000-lb Grand Slam bombs.

The aircraft demonstrated superbly its right to fame with the daring and precise raids on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, and also the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz in November 1944.

The CWH Museum has dedicated its Mynarski Memorial Lancaster to the memory of Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski, VC, of 419 (Moose) Squadron, 6 (RCAF) Group. Mynarski won 6 Group's only Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth's highest award for gallantry in battle.

 

On the night of 12/13 June 1944, his Lancaster X was shot down by a Luftwafffe night fighter. As the bomber plunged earthwards, Mynarski, his flying clothing afire, tried in vain to free his trapped rear gunner from the jammed rear turret.

Miraculously, the gunner lived to relate the story of Mynarski's bravery. Unfortunately, Mynarski died from his severe burns

An amazing sight over RCAF Road...

Comments

[jessie-c.livejournal.com]

I can't decide whether I love to see it flying or whether it should be grounded because it's so rare and precious. Regardless, there's nothing like seeing a Lanc in person. 4 Merlins flying in close formation is such a distinctive sound.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

My Great Uncle Les was 'tail end Charlie' on the lanc: ''E' never forgets' (logo- a red elephant) and flew something like forty missions over Germany and unusually for a rear gunner, lived to tell the tale (and to leave me enough money to fund a certain visit to a certain hospital :o)

I have a photo of him and the rest of the crew lined up under the plane.