In celebration of the Canadian-built Lancaster with the most combat missions in WWII, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is temporarily marking their Avro Lancaster B.X in the colors of the 419 Squadron (RCAF) KB732. Known as X-Terminator by her crew, and coded VR-X, she flew 84 ops. over enemy territory, the most by any Canadian Lancaster. The Canadian Warplane Heritage museum currently operates FM213, the only flying Avro Lancaster outside of the UK, and has flown her in the colors of another 419 Squadron Lancaster coded VR-A since she debuted on the air show circuit in the late 1980s, so it shouldn’t be too big a stretch to change her code letter, serial number and add the nose art. She will wear these markings for just one day though, so if you want to see X-Terminator in the flesh, you will have to be at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario on July 11th!
The museum will be open from 9am to 5pm, with normal admission rates applying. However, all adult and senior tickets will be eligible for a chance to win Museum Membership, and potentially a Bomber Membership Upgrade. The Bomber Membership Upgrade will entitle you to a flight in the Lancaster that day!!! Selection will take place with a lottery drawing at 2pm, with the flight scheduled to take place at 4pm that afternoon. The winner, of course, must be present at the ticket draw in order to qualify. Tours inside the Lancaster will be available for a minimum CAN$5 donation from 9am up until the 2pm draw.
The Museum is keen to have as many Lancaster crew Veterans present as will as well. Lancaster veterans will receive FREE admission for themselves and two guests. Contact Erin Napier at 905-6794183 ext. 245 or [email protected] to receive VIP parking.
For a fascinating description of X-Terminator’s history, please visit the Bomber Command Museum of Canada’s website HERE. The Bomber Command Museum of Canada also has a Canadian-built Lancaster B.X in their collection, FM159, which they have lovingly restored to ground-running condition.
