Avro Lancaster B Mk. I (Serial No. R5727), built in the UK and flown to Victory Aircraft in Malton, Canada in August 1942 to serve as a pattern for the other Lancasters to be built in Canada.
CFJIC-DND Photo, PL-1175
Avro Lancaster B Mk. I (Serial No. R5727)
CFJIC-DND Photo, PL-1172
Of particular note is the FN-64 “Belly Turret” fitted to this aircraft. It is quite clear in some of the photos. The guns are .303 cal., but a few Lancasters were apparently fitted with a .50 cal mount as well. The belly turret was not successful because of visibility issues, and was replaced with the H2S radar in that position.
CFJIC-DND Photo, PL-1171 (all photos originally posted by Harold A. Skaarup)
In addition to the Lancaster there are 2 RAF B-17s (19203 & 19240) sent to England as lend-lease a/c. Also 2 Martin B-26 Marauders and a big bunch of Lockheed Hudsons. A Canso/Catalina is at upper right and a B-25 can be seen taxiing in distance just right of center near top.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 41-9203 Mk. II in RCAF service Ferry Command.
During WW II Canada largely relied on the British and Americans to deliver our military mail to the battle front and now with thousands of troops in North Africa they were not getting their mail. So late in 1943 the RCAF quickly purchased six B-17s from the USAAF. Not as bombers but as mail transport aircraft. They were quickly de-armed and converted to carry mail to the troops for Christmas 1943. Of the six aircraft none are left today. Four were destroyed, crashed or went missing and two survived the war and were surplussed to Argentina and scrapped.
9202 - crashed 4 Nov 1945 hitting high ground, Muenster, Germany
9203 - lost at sea 15 Dec 1944, possibly shot down by a U boat
9204 - Landing gear collapsed during taxi 17 Sep 1944, Ottawa
9205 - Retired became LV-RTP in Argentina, scrapped 1964
9206 - Retired became LV-RTO in Argentina, scrapped 1964
9207 - Crashed 2 Apr 1944, load shifting suspected
CFJIC-DND Photo, PL-1174
CFJIC-DND Photo, PL-1173
CFJIC-DND Photo, PL-1182