MADE IN MALTON. Made in Toronto. Now residing at the old, former, RCAF Station: Mount Hope in Hamilton, Ontario.
One of the best Allied tools for ensuring our freedom, used by free men, to maintain a free world…a world that we inherited…and are to maintain.
Remember, need I say it again…"A new war is coming…"
FIRST, ONE HOP down to the States.
Our Mighty, Mighty, Lanc ALWAYS gets a HERO'S WELCOME in the United States of America.
Always.
Because there ain't nothing' like American neighbourliness. And the Lancaster is a poignant reminder to Americans that we Canadians are a littl' bit different. We even have different warplanes!
But we always had one common cause. FREEDOM!
And we really did defeat Hitler, and his Nazi's, together…when flailing Europe couldn't do it!
When Europe was on the ropes and out for the count…we bombed those Nazi's right off the map.
The AVRO LANCASTER was created for one purpose, and one purpose only…to bring Nazi Germany to her knees.
I can think of a few more places around the world, RIGHT NOW, that need a total war solution!
"And, …says the drug-addled Peacenik, what has war ever, really, solved, Never Was?"
OTHER THAN ENDING slavery, fascism, nazism, and communism…nothing!
NOTHING!!!
Dummies.
'nuff, said.
After the USA tour, the former RCAF Lancaster flies on to Manitoba, Alberta, and BC.
Sorry, no Saskatchewan! Don't even think about it, suckers! Remember, a certain anti-Canadian, anti-Arrow, Prime Minister jughead, farmer grew up there. Diefendowner.
So it's personal now— And the Lancaster has a long memory.
When the Lancaster hits Manitoba, Alberta and BC…expect a hero's, long lost friend, type of welcome.
This, may very well be, the LAST TIME our Mighty, Mighty, Lanc makes such a cross-country flight. She ain't as spry as she once was, folks! Miss her…and you're indolent. Non-Canadian. And a whole lotta' things I can't say here…
But the warriors will be there! Damn straight!
Our heroic WW II CANADIAN VETS will be there.
One. Last. Time.
To hear that music, that song, that only those four, mighty, Merlins, will be singing in unison for OUR MOST VALIANT CANADIANS of all time.
And when the Mighty, Mighty, Lanc makes her low, friendly pass, over that truly Canadian crowd; there'll be tears in many an eye, and ramrod straight salutes aplenty.
Yeah, I'll tell it like it is…there won't be a dry eye in the house!
And salutes for an old friend, an old girl, also in the very twilight of her life, who just had to make an appearance.
For Western Canadians.
One. Last. Time.
And then, it be will all be said, and done—
I'm kinda' choked up myself, jus' thinking about it.
But…don't ever say…I never told ya'!
Get ready!! Be prepared! Camera or cam in hand!
BE THERE!!!
HERE'S THE 2010 DATES
June 4, 5, 6 …READING, Pennsylvania
July 26, 27, 28…THUNDER BAY, Ontario
July 29 - August 3… WINNIPEG, Manitoba
August 4 - 12… CALGARY, Alberta
August 12 - 16…ABBOTTSFORD, BC
August 17… EDMONTON, Alberta
August 18 - 19…BRANDON, Manitoba
…and then, back home for MANY Ontario visits.
ORIGINAL Photo Size:
www.flickr.com/photos/78215847@N00/4574401335/sizes/o/
THERE ARE ACTUALLY people who say, there never was a Canadian-made Jet Lancaster.
Now I expect that from Torontonians, where unless its something green… they don't know a thing.
But from Trentonians? C'mon.
They laugh, and slap their knees, coughing and cackling, telling me I'm too much!
Well.
That, sure looks like a Jet Lanc' to me!
RCAF FM209, a Mark X Lancaster, made originally, and modified entirely in Toronto. It flew as the Jet Lancaster for the first time on July 10, 1950… 59 years ago TODAY!!
I could tell them that the Jet Lanc' met an unfortunate end, in Toronto, at Orenda, and burned to the ground on July 24, 1956. That, and alongside about a hundred other stabled RCAF aircraft in Orenda's notorious experimental aircraft hangar. Historically, perhaps the worst fire in Toronto. That people ran for their lives from the burning hangar, and were blown to the ground, when... when…
Nah… guess all that didn't happen—
I could tell them about the engines that powered the Jet Lanc', that these were the secretive Orenda 1s… and for a brief time (one year) were the MOST POWERFUL jet engines in the world, at an incredible 6,000lbs of thrust!
I could tell them how the Jet Lanc' on its VERY FIRST flight flew across Lake Ontario right over Buffalo and was intercepted by P-47 Thunderbolts of the United States Air National Guard.
These US defenders had been scrambled to investigate the strange, high speed, intruder. The Jet Lanc' literally flew circles around the normally deadly Thunderbolts.
What a sight that must have been!
For those ANG pilots to see a very large, heavy bomber, darting about the sky like a Spitfire!
And just as quickly as RCAF FM209 had appeared within US air space, she was gone again… on her way back to Canada.
Doing barrel-rolls.
Those Avro Canada Jet Lanc' pilots eventually got their wrists slapped for that maneuver. Right after they had told the story, a few more times, for yet another straggler, who had arrived, mid-story.
BUT, the Jet Lanc' never existed, folks!
Apparently ~
Damn, no-nothings.
Oh, but it did exist. And it was a part of our incredibly great, and our distinctly CANADIAN aviation history. When for a flicker, when for a flash… CANADA was second to none in aeronautical research. Development. And achievement.
Put that in your pipe, and smoke it… 'cause… I'm, outta' here…
Make. It. Seven.
NO SOONER does our Mighty, Mighty Lanc' return to the air…than it delivers a message to ALL CANADIANS.
A message ALSO…for the NHL!
www.makeitseven.ca/
AS PROMISED, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has put our Lanc' back in the air by mid-May—
Overwhelming public support puts our Lanc' back in the air!!
From the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum:
"Due to the generosity of the many ‘Lancaster Propeller’ supporters who answered our plea for financial assistance, Canadian Warplane Heritage was able to buy two (2) propellers from an aircraft parts dealer in Florida. The propellers, in original World War II packing boxes, will be made available for the media to view and photograph.
The four (4) additional propellers that were procured from Greenwood Military Aviation Museum once overhauled will cost Canadian Warplane Heritage over $40,000.
More importantly, to those who answered our plea for financial assistance…..the Lancaster is now flying and taking bookings!"
…will fly again MID-MAY 2009!!
Overwhelming public support puts our Lanc' back in the air!!
From the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum:
"Due to the generosity of the many ‘Lancaster Propeller’ supporters who answered our plea for financial assistance, Canadian Warplane Heritage was able to buy two (2) propellers from an aircraft parts dealer in Florida. The propellers, in original World War II packing boxes, will be made available for the media to view and photograph.
The four (4) additional propellers that were procured from Greenwood Military Aviation Museum once overhauled will cost Canadian Warplane Heritage over $40,000.
More importantly, to those who answered our plea for financial assistance…..
the Lancaster will fly again mid-May!"
First, he's here. Then way over there.
Once…he ran right up to me!
I don't know how many photos I have of Seabiscuit (X marks the guy) running around the tarmac marshaling (signaling) the Lancaster.
On the face of the earth, there is not an aircraft marshaller (signaler) who takes his job more seriously than "Seabiscuit". He puts the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) found at busier airports to shame.
Here, he hasn't started running yet but…he will—
But…will…our Lanc' even fly again?
If she does, it will be because of you and I.
New props cost $100, 000 CDN. SEE ENTRIES below to donate. Or please contact the museum at (905) 679-4183 to donate by phone.
Our "Made in Toronto" Avro Lancaster Bomber has been grounded.
Corrosion found. Propellers.
$100, 000 CDN needed to get our Lanc back in the air.
Whatever you can give…
HERE, I'll let the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum tell you:
"At this time we are seeking your financial support for a very special project here at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. During the annual inspection on our Lancaster bomber aircraft it was discovered that there is a corrosion issue with the propellers and until we can replace these propeller blades our Lancaster will be grounded.
The propellers used on the aircraft are unique and although we have been fortunate enough to locate a very limited and currently available supply, the total replacement cost will be about $100,000.00. As I am sure you are aware, we own and operate one of only two Lancaster bombers still flying in the world today. This aircraft is the most popular and notable aircraft in our collection and we therefore receive many requests to have the Lancaster attend events throughout North America. Unfortunately without new propeller blades we will not be able to meet our flying commitments for the 2009 season.
As this year is the Centennial of Flight in Canada, the Lancaster has been requested to attend a number of high profile events and venues including Air Venture at Oshkosh, WI, the largest air show in the world. It is also scheduled to go to Cold Lake, Alberta; Bagotville, Quebec; and Winnipeg, Manitoba; as well as attending several other events in Southern Ontario. In 2009 the Lancaster C-GVRA flight schedule has been planned to allow many hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy this aviation icon during the course of the summer as we celebrate 100 years of powered flight in Canada.
In order to honour our commitments, we must endeavor to make our Lancaster airworthy once again. We have sent an appeal letter to our members and supporters and now we are asking for your assistance at this difficult time. With less than 2% of our annual operating budget coming from any government grant or assistance, we rely very heavily on supporters like you. As a donor, your investment in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is an investment in a great Canadian success story. We still have a great deal to be accomplished here at the museum and we hope you will take part in this worthy endeavor.
PLEASE DONATE NOW!!
Donations can be made on our website: www.warplane.com/Gift-Shop/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=38&a...
Or please contact the museum at (905) 679-4183 to donate by phone.
Donations can also be mailed in to: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, ON. L0R 1W0
Please mark "Lancaster Propeller Fund" on your cheques."
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. We will remember them."
Monarch Films describes the BOMBER BOYS Series (4 DVDs):
"As seen on PBS stations comes a new four hour "living history" series set in the early days of World War II. Using a unique blend of living history elements, CGI, first-person interviews and never-before-seen W.W.II footage, this dramatic four-part documentary series, follows a new generation of "Bomber Boys" as they train to become a Lancaster Bomber crew. All are descendants of British, Australian, American and Canadian airmen, and while these new recruits struggle to come to terms with 1940s discipline and values - we hear the harrowing anecdotes of the "real" Bomber Boys - the veterans who flew into the night skies over Occupied Europe to fight in some of the most critical battles of the war. As the two groups come together, a special bond emerges and a bridge is built between the generations."
CANADA's special role during the war is thoroughly explained.
But what was Canada's special contribution?
Why it was the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (B.C.A.T.P.) or ("The Plan") of 1939-1945. Across Canada aircrews from the Commonwealth countries, the USA, Poland etc. were trained and prepared for combat. Upon completion of their training, successful candidates left Canada, were transported "across the pond" and filled up the ranks of the RAF.
SEE Monarch Films to purchase: www.createspace.com/212916
© Frantic Films
© Monarch Films
FIXING MY BOMBER
WHENEVER I'M working on my Lancaster, as you can see here I'm working on those mighty Merlins…I can't always go by memory.
Ain't what it used to be.
So I get out my Hayne's Owner's Workshop Manual for my Mighty Lanc before I do ANYTHING!
This is a damn expensive airplane, folks! And I can't take it to Canadian Tire!! Even though it was made here, locally, in Toronto.
So here goes.
Chocks in place.
Righty, tighty…lefty, loosey.
It doesn't get any better than this…working on my Lanc…Supertramp playing in the background, but hey…I almost forgot.
There is ALSO a Hayne's Owner's Workshop Manual for the Supermarine Spitfire and even the British Leyland one! Thanks ...Anna... for the tip.
WHY THERE ISN'T a Hayne's Owner's Guide for the Boeing B-17 or the North American P-51, only Ken knows. There isn't even one for the famous Taylorcraft 75.
There will be one for the Avro Arrow.
I assembled a little graphic here for the viewership, complete with page views from the books.
I. Ain't. Making. This. Stuff. Up.
© Hayne's Owner's Workshop Manuals
© SPIR
© Paul Cardin
