Warbird Information Exchange

Rob--

That would be a considerable surprise. I'll ask someone up at the Hope next time I'm there, but I'll be amazed if this is anything other than a rumour. I well remember circa 1989, when C-GVRA was still "new", that a UK tour was mooted; even at that stage CWH nixed the idea, at that time citing the need to keep the newly-flyable Lanc in front of the Canadian public, paying tribute to Canadian vets, "for the next five years at least".

Still...in the past few seasons C-GVRA seems to be flying more, rather than less, often. You've certainly piqued my curiosity! Will post whatever answer I get, unless someone beats me to it...

Cheers

S.

Hmm info given to me is that it will never happen but could it be a secret for now???

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Cheers,
Peter

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I think a secret could very well be out. On FlyPast they were saying that this would be for the anniversary of VE-Day which is obviously going to bring large celebrations this season. I would think that if the ability is there to bring the airplane across then go for it. CWH has said in the past that this wasn't going to happen but they might be considering this because it would be for such a special occasion.

Ryan

Is it possible that the BBMF (RAF) are going to due some heavy maintenece on the Canadian Lanc???

Is Mel allowed on English soil these days? The last several "big" movies he's made I hear the English weren't too fond of.

Maybe there is another "new" story someone can find from WW2 to make a movie about. There remakes are getting old.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I have heard rumors about the CWHM Lancaster traveling to the UK but I think she pretty much limited to flying within a few hours of her home base these days…when she was first restored she did some cross country touring and I think it pretty much stretched the Museum’s resources. Engine overhauls don’t come cheap these day…I think she has limited her flying hours to something similar to the BBMF Lancaster..less than a 100hrs per year perhaps….Has the CWHM Lancaster be re-sparred like the BBMF PA474 did to a few years ago?

Don't think so. The re-sparring of PA474 will probably remain a one-off action.

Cees

I received a report from a fellow BCAM member that as of his visit to the CWH this summer, the Lancaster needed # 3 engine overhauled - or at least major work. She also is in need of a respar job. Just speculation but if the RAF BBMF would do the resparring, CWH just might send her... It sure would be nice to see two Lancs in the air.

The original source of this 'rumour' (from within the RAF BBMF incidently) said the proposed trip was a short-ish one and didn't involve a respar job.

Not surprising really as the re-spar/overhaul of PA474 took some 8 months, and the re-spar itself was performed by BAe Chadderton (the old Avro factory), after the aircraft had been completely disassembled at RAF St.Athan in Wales, for the wing centre section to be transported by road to Chadderton for resparing. The respar was possible because sufficient metal extrusions left over from the Shackleton respar program, were located by BAe.

I had heard that CWHM has located a fifth engine for their Lancaster. Apparently as said before one of the their Merlins was close to being timed out and need of a overhaul...I wonder whom would do that work..it might be expensive $100K+

I wonder if any of the former RCAF Lancaster were ever resparred in Canada...I seem to remember hearing that a number had some high hours on their airframe...6000+hr which would make you think a respar would have been necessary...

Hi all--

Dropped by CWH this afternoon; talked to two people there about the rumoured UK visit by the Mynarski Lanc. The upshot is that though the trip may very well not happen, the idea itself has genuinely been mooted (from the UK side) and is, or at least has been, under consideration. One person I spoke with said this idea, or a rumour to that effect, crops up almost yearly (I did know the suggestion had previously been made, one UK tour being mooted in FlyPast as long ago as 1989). The other fellow indicated that an offer (of whatever sort) had been made to bring C-GVRA to the UK for a period of ten days or so next year, and also that a similar visit had been proposed ten years ago (for the 50th anniversary of VE Day) but, of course, did not ultimately come off. So...it was more than a rumour...but as to whether it will happen, well, frankly I'll still be surprised if it does. What a sight it would be, though, two Lancs in formation for the first time since...??

S.

the last time?

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

...Which was when, Olli, oh clogs of cleverness?

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Simple. The last time they flew together, well, it was the last.

Kinda like a Catch 22, only less subtle!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Very funny Ollie!

Actually, I would imagine that the last time that two lancs flew in formation was in 1965 when the canadians retired the last of their fleet. However, I suppose it's possible that Just Jane might have flown in formation with PA474 in 1970'ish during one of her brief airborne outings.... does anyone know if this ever happened?

Cheers,
Richard