On July 29, 2010, I was out in the yard doing chores, and heard what sounded like a group of very nasty single engine aircraft flying over the city - and then circling back and flying over our neighborhood. When I finally was able to see what was passing over the house, My heart stopped... ...and I ran into the house like a maniac for my camera. This is what I photographed, after it had just passed overhead: And this is what the image looked like, cleaned up and cropped: I couldn't believe my eyes... A Lancaster Bomber! There can't be but a handful of these majestic aircraft left in the world, let alone one still using the original MERLIN engines! That was the sound I had heard at first, the distinct "educated growl" of four MERLINS! What a privaledge. I have since viewed videos of airshows online - and heard the same distinct growl. I wish to ask if any of the forum members are aware of a Lancaster in Canada or the US that is still airworthy, and is still using the original merlin engines. There can't be many. Best Regards, Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada
Hello Chris, the text below is from Wikipedia, the link is for the museum which is mentioned, Jeff. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Warplane_Heritage_Museum#Bombers There are 17 known largely complete Avro Lancasters remaining in the world with two airworthy. One of them is based in the UK, operated by The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the other is in Canada, operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
Amazing to see indeed. Amazing to be in one too. The one in Canada is based out of Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. About 30 minute drive for me. Cheers, Jeff
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are based at Coningsby in Lincolnshire just a few miles from me. The Lancaster along with the Spitfires and Hurricane are a common sight in the Spring and Summer and bring many visitors to Coningsby, where there is also a Museum. As they are generally practicing for displays they fly very low over the top of my house. The Typhoons are also based at Coningsby. Lincolnshire people are very proud of their links with the RAF and there are many places of interest to visit that have RAF and Second World War connections.
A beautiful image. I do not imagine that the Canadian example strays too far from its home in Ontario. There were a few flight training areas in Manitoba during the war. One in particular, in the town of Dauphin, Manitoba, has several period buildings and hangers still standing. the average person passing by, other than the locals, would have no idea of their importance. Due to safety issues here in Winnipeg, there are no longer air shows here - my wife and I used to love them. I believe there are still shows in Saskatchewan and Alberta, to the West of us, and it is possible that the bomber was on a return flight from one of them, when it graced the skies over our neighborhood. Many thanks for your interest in this post. Best Regards, Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada
My Father always talked about staging in England for the invasion. He was awe struck by the thousand plane raids flying overhead. Dan
Hmm.. Well, perhaps some appropriate music from 1945 would be a suitable accompaniment for those aircraft, Bob. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1fSnzmCtGQ&feature=related
