Late in February of this year it was announced that a very rare ‘window of opportunity’ was available to bring together the worlds remaining airworthy Avro Lancasters – PA474 of the Royal Air Forces Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and C-GVRA of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum – for one last never to be repeated salute to the heroes of Bomber Command. Dubbed as a ‘Once in a Lanc Time’ event, AeroResource’s Jamie Ewan was at RAF Coningsby for the arrival of the ‘Mynarski Lanc’ at the end of her mammoth transatlantic journey.
With just 17 examples of the Avro Lancaster remaining in the world, including both PA474 and C-GVRA, the chance to see the last two remaining airworthy examples of the type in the same piece of sky is something many aviation enthusiasts, old and new, have only ever dreamt of. First taking to the air in August 1945, the story of how Avro Lancaster X FM213 became the heart of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is one of jinxes, luck, inspiration and sheer determination.
The relationship between the United Kingdom, Canada and the Lancaster started back during the Second World War with huge numbers of Canadians flying and fighting with Bomber Command, and such was the scale of their involvement some 18% of all of the Bomber Command losses were Canadian. As well as the brave airmen who joined the war effort, Canada was also chosen to locally produce the Lancaster along with other Allied aircraft, with the first example rolling off the production line just over 70 years ago – August 1st 1943. The Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM), being the only two operators of airworthy Lancasters, have worked in conjunction with one another since the late 1980’s when Squadron Leader Tony Banfield of the BBMF flew over to Canada to test fly C-GVRA after an 11 year restoration.
Planned to depart Ontario on the 4th August with domestic stops en-route in Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, then flying through Narsarsuaq in Greenland and Keflavik, Iceland before the final leg to RAF Coningsby, the aircraft is due to take part in some 80 UK appearances both alone and with the BBMF Lancaster during the 6 week stay.
With a huge task in order the volunteers at the CWHM involved with the aircraft have worked tirelessly to ensure C-GVRA was fit for the flight ahead including changing the aircrafts tyres and fitting brand new propellers. Other tasks included updating and fitting a brand new radio system to meet UK airspace requirements, and double checking each and every system on the aircraft was in working order. The work was completed just 3 days before the scheduled departure and the aircraft flew a short test flight on July 31st.
Flying for the first time this year on May 18th, “VERA” as the aircraft is affectionately known, will undergo a period of maintenance upon arrival before the Canadian crew starts a short training programme alongside the BBMF in preparation for the upcoming airshows and events – which are due to commence on August 14th. The displays themselves will commemorate the huge sacrifice and dedication of the Commonwealth Bomber crews during the dark days of the Second World War.
One of the special events scheduled to take place whilst the Mynarski Lancaster is across is the very rare chance to see 3 Avro Lancasters singing in unison, albeit one sadly on the ground. During two events at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirby the museum’s centre piece, Avro Lancaster B.VII NX611 ‘Just Jane’, will perform a taxi run as both ‘Thumper Mk.III’ and ‘VERA’ let their Merlins growl with a flypast over the top during the unique salute .
As well as the overall commemoration, the aircraft will also pay homage to Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski, who was awarded the Victoria Cross after being killed saving a friend and crewmember flying a raid from RAF Middleton St George, now Durham Tees Valley Airport. Like the story of VERA, the story of how Andy was awarded his VC is one of sheer terror, bravery and sadness. Adorned in the colours of Avro Lancaster X KB726/VR-A when it and P/O Andrew Mynarski were lost on that fateful night in 1944, VERA will take part in an event at the spiritual home of Andrew Mynarski with a fly past over the memorial raised in his honour during the historic visit.
With months of planning and work behind the scenes to make the trip go as smoothly as possible the aircraft was set to depart on August 4th. After a small ceremony to send the aircraft and crew on there way , the aircraft was towed onto the runway at Ontario for start, to save wear on the aircraft’s brakes due to the full fuel load onboard.
As the 10:00am local departure time neared,, the aircraft was slowly brought to life by the crew of 8 – including 3 pilots to share the flying, ready to make history. Sadly an issue with the number 2 engine led to a delay in the departure – initially for an hour or so. Due to the nature of the fault – identified to be an issue with the magneto leading to a flooded motor – the aircrafts departure was pushed back by 24 hours. Towed back to the Hangar, the crews worked into the early hours of Tuesday to get the aircraft ready, including an engine run. Thankfully, during the planning stages of the trip a window of some 24 hours had been added in to the schedule in case of such a problem arose.
Rescheduled for departure at 10:00am local the next day (Tuesday August 5th), the aircraft was again readied and prepped for the start of its Trans Atlantic journey. The sound of four Merlins soon filled the air around Hamilton, Ontario, as the aircraft slowly climbed out at 10:20am local after a last minute runway change. Escorted by the collections North American B25J Mitchell MKIII C-GCWM, with Dave Rohrer the Museums CEO and President on board, the aircraft was soon flying alone as the Mitchell parted ways and left the Lancaster on its sentimental journey. Arriving at Goose Bay, New Foundland and Labrador, after a 6.5 hour flight the aircraft had completed the first leg of its journey with a number of flypasts over the airport. Scheduled for departure to Keflavik, Iceland at 10:00am local, the aircraft was soon back in the air for the trickiest part of the flight – crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Whilst it may have been the most risky leg of the journey, after 7.5 hours of flight and temperatures reaching -8c in the cabin, the Lancaster arrived safely in Keflavik on August 6th. The next day saw the aircraft and crew take a break from the long, tiring legs with a short hop across to Reykjavik with some VIPs aboard before getting ready for the remainder of the journey on Friday.
With the last leg of C-GVRA’s journey scheduled for departure from Keflavik at 0715 (Local), the aircraft was due to arrive at RAF Coningsby at 1330 (Local). Planned en route, and over the airfield, were a number of flypasts in mixed formation with the BBMF Lancaster ‘Thumper MkIII’ and two of the BBMF’s fighter fleet – Supermarine Spitfire Mk.LF XVIE and Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC PZ865. Planned to form up over Royal Air Force Kirton-in-Lindsey, the formation was to fly over RAF Scampton, Lincoln Cathedral, RAF Waddington and RAF Scampton before the big arrival at Coningsby, which would be followed up by a Red Arrows flypast over the top of each location. The Reds would also have flown past over the top of VERA after she landed at RAF Coningsby, the home of the BBMF. Sadly, due to severe weather in the area – which had been kind to the crowds during the morning – the planned big arrival slowly fell apart.
Delays in the aircrafts estimated time of arrival (ETA) as well as strong adverse winds encountered over North Scotland after making landfall over the Isle of Lewis, caused a slip in proceedings (the Red Arrows were delayed from departing by 50 minutes). The weather in the local area turned rather nasty with a large storm front passing through; leading to the BBMF fighter contingent having to scrub their part in the flypast, and understandably were placed back in the safety of their hangar. With the wind picking up and swinging direction, the Lancaster was pulled from the arrival party due to the crosswinds limits at Coningsby passing the stringent safety margins applicable to the type. As the weather worsened the flypasts fell through and the arrival time slipped again, the call of ‘HERITAGE1’ over the scanners of the hundreds assembled to greet VeRA was all most needed to realise that they were about to witness history. Flying from the North the aircraft flew a straight in approach for runway 07 at Coningsby. Floating down the centre line, VeRA’s Dunlop tyres touched down with a slight squeak and the aircraft slowed to a stop. Slowly taxing down the airfield towards the waiting crowds of media and special guests – including some 100 Bomber Command Veterans – the aircraft stopped for a brief pause almost as if contemplating the success of eight months of planning, and over 20 hours of flying as the crew unfolded and presented both the Union Flag and the Maple Flag out of the cockpit. VERA had arrived!
The sight of a 70 year old bomber battling through the winds, rain and murk was simply awe inspiring and brought up provoking images of the heroes of Bomber Command doing it on a nightly basis in a fight for freedom that so many never saw.
Now that both Lancasters are safely at Coningsby, VeRA will undergo a period of maintenance with the BBMF before beginning formation and display training in preparation for their first displays. The first training flight is expected to be Tuesday 12th August, with the first display being at Eastbourne on Thursday August 14th. Enthusiasts are advised to follow the BBMF press releases and flying schedules to find out up to date information on when the Lancasters are next likely to fly together – or visit the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Lancaster UK Tour page.
Epic piece of writing Jamie. Pretty quick on publishing it too eh!
It was wonderful being there to see this special a/c arrive! Well done CWHM Team!
Lovely article, once again I have tears in my eyes. This whole visit has had me emotional for months and I’m sure that will continue. Nicely written
Superb write up and to the point really captured its journey well,personaly it was a bitter sweet day for me as i and at least 200 people waited in anticipation over at RAF Waddington many of us that thought that here would have been a better option due to restrictions over at Coningsby the day startex to go downhill with news that the Bbmf couldnt even depart even though the Canadian team had endured this epic journey to get over to our shores and then we started getting messages that arrival had been delayed then it was a case of what would arrive first , the storm or Vera the Lancaster unfortunatly the storm front claimed its next victoms the Red Arrows wow what a blow we stood heads dropping as we all new that we wasnt going to get to see this superb aircraft as news came that it was going straight to Coningsby then news that she had landed that put a smile on a few faces but equally the majority started to disperse sadly that after such an early day full of joy turned into a sad day for thousands in Lincoln as well so heres hoping that over the time of her visit we will hopefully get to see this superb aircraft and hopefully put those smiles back on our faces
I have been totally fascinated by the whole visit and the more I hear about it the more I am in awe. I wish everyone involved all the best fot the forthcoming tour and thankyou for bringing the bravery of all those young men to a new generation.
this wonderful aircraft is a few months older than me, I was born in the East End of London and can always remember my Mum ( whose name was Vera) telling me that she ‘counted them out of a night and counted them back of a morning’ and noting how many were missing. We as a nation owe so much to these young and brave crew members who did so much and gave so much so that we can live a safe life today. I always enjoy seeing the BBMF fly and now to see this one joining and flying is wonderful. have a safe and enjoyable trip to the UK and a safe journey back. and thank you for flying all that way to help us remember all that your countrymen did to help us in our time of struggle against the Germans.. many many thanks x
Congratulations and welcome to England. I live locally to Coningsby so I’m a local Lincolnshire yellow belly. It is a fantastic adventure that you have undertaken and we all locally and nationally admire you all for this. I’ll be keeping an eye to the sky and also an ear to listen and look out for you. Thank you again for undertaking this once in a lifetime mission in memory of all those young men that gave everything for us. Take care and I wish you all a safe return to Canada.
fantastic article Jamie very well written, just wish I could have been there for this momentous occasion.
To see the Vulcan being restored and then flying was thrilling and now hopefully to see two Lancaster’s fly at Clacton Air show is beyond most enthusiasts dream, hats off to all concerned with VERA.
What a wonderful sight it was to see the two Lancasters flying together at Clacton. It brought back memories of seeing dozens at a time during 1943-4 over Lincolnshire. A very emotional experience. My gratitude goes to all concerned with this fantastic enterprise.
Dennis Little. 29.8.14
Wonderful to see the two together again at last. I was a Sgt W/Op on the last of the operational Lancasters down at RAF St Mawgan, Cornwall, in 1954 (5th Jan in a MkIII according to my log book). But if I recall, the final parade/departure from St Mawgan was I think 1956….But memory not what it was at 81, and retired many years ago now as a Master AEO.