Warbirds News was excited to learn this morning that an event, long talked about, but most doubted possible is set to happen this summer. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum will be flying their Avro Lancaster B.X across the Atlantic Ocean to the United Kingdom to take part in a series of displays alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This will mark the first time in four decades that two Lancasters will fly in formation with one another, and represent a unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts around the world to witness these two magnificent historic aircraft flying together.
According to the RAF press release; the Canadian Lancaster, FM213, will depart from its home base in Hamilton, Ontario on August 4th. They will stage across the North Atlantic via Goose Bay, Labrador; Narsarsuaq, Greenland; and Keflavik, Iceland prior to a hoped for arrival at RAF Coningsby on August 8th.
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 for participation in several air displays and fly pasts with the BBMF Lancaster, PA474, and fighters starting on August 14th. These displays will celebrate the exceptionally close British/Canadian relationship as well as 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.
BBMF Lancaster PA474 passing the dam’s towers on Derwent Reservoir last year.
( Image Credit: Air Team Canon)
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 in 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.”
Warbirds News is grateful to both the BBMF and CWHM for the use of their joint press release, and wishes them much success with this adventure.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
My question is it worth the risk of total loss of one or both of these magnificent aircraft to just see two of them flying at once?
YES.
Most definitely
Colin this is the never ending debate…
I personally think so, airplanes were born to fly. Always and forever.
Absolutely. 6 Group (RCAF) played a huge part in Bomber Command’s war against Hitler’s Reich. Seeing a Canadian Lanc over Lincolnshire 70 years later is most appropriate.
Just to hear the sound of two Lancs flying together will be worth it.
Sorry but that top picture of the CWH Lancaster in formation with Spitfire,Hurricane,Mustang and P-40 is obviously Photoshopped onto the pic with the moon in it,it just doesn’t look real.
Sean,
it’s actually a real picture. It’s not photoshopped.
RM Alnutt does not use “gimmicks”. The photo was taken at one of our Vintage Wings of Canada Airshows. I was there.
I took this on an air-to-air formation flight with Paul Kissmann flying the Vintage Wings Harvard IV… I have a whole sequence of these shots. Yes, it would be easy to fake a shot like that, but I can assure you it is not…. just so you know.
Cheers. Richard Mallory Allnutt
PS. Thanks for the support Jim and Mo.
would be grateful for flying dates and where in august they will be flying
at airshows
The sight and sounds will be awesome. Any chance of some dates??
Hope they come over Teeside and Durham Lot of Canadian Sqdrns at Middleton St George for example…