Warbird Information Exchange

Not sure if this has been posted.

Just finished reading the latest edition of Flightlines, a CWH supplement in COPA’s magazine and Rick Frank confirms they have been negotiating a trip to England with the CWH Lanc. It sounds like it is all based on funding and I would imagine the CWH would only do it if they stand to gain a large sum on money for the trip. The trip would coincide with the VE celebrations on July 10th, 2005 and feature the two Lancs flying over Buckingham Palace.

I have to say I never thought I would see the day.

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Flypast this month (March 2005) says a similar thing..

But yes... it is all down to the $£ etc!

I don't think the aircraft should be risked on two huge two-way trips and I would rather the CWH Lancaster was displayed to the Canadian people on VE Day.

As a Canadian that cherishes the CWH Lancaster it is a flight I also do not want to see happen. Sure it would be nice to see two Lancs in the air but at this kind of risk? I know the Lanc is suited for a flight like this but the wear and tare plus all the what ifs along the way do not seem like a wise idea. I would like to see how the Britts would act if the BBMF announced a North American tour with the Lanc. The CWH have not even flown the Lancaster across Canada in the past decade which I think would be a more important journey to take before crossing the Atlantic where they already have a flying Lancaster.

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Quote:-
I would like to see how the Britts would act if the BBMF announced a North American tour with the Lanc

Eric

I expect it would get the same reaction from the Brits as when they sent the BBMF Mk V Spitfire to the US.

PeterA

I would imagine the public relations value of having the BBMF Lanc at Oshkosh or Dayton would be fantastic, especially now that Concorde is retired.

I can understand that as a Canadian you're not keen to see "your" Lancaster leave home, even if just for a brief tour. However, the North Atlantic run is probably safer than a transcontinental Canadian trip, with more options and alternate airports along the route. The journey from Goose Bay to Greenland to Iceland to Scotland has minimal over water exposure, and I understand that a C-130 is also going to accompany the Lanc with spares and mechanics. If she can't make this trip then she shouldn't fly at all.

This is a fantastic "Once in a Lifetime" opportunity for these two great aircraft to fly together in the skies over Europe. And for many WW2 vets this will probably be their last opportunity to see such a sight.

I think that a single Lancaster makes far more of a statement about the numbers lost than a pair does.

That wont stop me chasing around the country with my camera if the deal does go through. Fair's fair though, I think that if the canadians request it, there should be a reciprocal trip for the BBMF Lanc.

Rob

A similar proposal was asked of the Collings Foundation in regards to the B-24 Liberator flying to England for a commemorative flyover for Her Majesty as well and attending Flying Legends around the same time. The costs were pretty high and the risks were great too (imagine the cost of losing an engine in England and the cost of replacement). We searched for sponsorship, but it has been a very hard road.

Were there any other significant warbirds asked to attend from abroad other than our B-24 and the CWH Lanc?

Ryan Keough

Nothing is safer than a trip across Canada, everything is over land, and everything is paid in Canadian dollars, sorry, pesos!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Despite personal invitation by our Chief of the Air Staff.
Despite CWH contacting BBMF to find out about engineering support.
Despite BBMF offering said support.
Despite the information in the first post in this thread, direct from CWH.

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Awfully nice aeroplane piccies available

If you'd prefer to have the Lanc in North America can we borrow the B24 please???? We'll give it back when we've finished honestly...
If you do loose an engine over here I'm sure there would be people prepared to help....

So what's the latest situation with the B-24, Ryan? Are you still hoping for sponsorship, or have you abandoned the idea of making the trip?

It would certainly be an appropriate visit, especially in view of the change of paint scheme this winter.............

Rob

You cant have it both ways. You have said many times that you think American Warbirds should be brought back to the US. Following your logic then, the CWH Lanc should be back in the UK.

Quite frankly if the CWH are happy about things and have planned it well then great. But I for one would fully understand if they thought the risk was too great.

It has to happen occasionally, but Mr. Rohr is right - the CWH Lanc was built in Canada, and has no UK service history.

But as it's in the markings of an aircraft shot down in active service in WWII, I feel it would be very appropriate to have it fly here in the UK, if only for a few weeks.

If the BBMF wanted to send theirs to Canada in return you'd hear no objection from me. I'd just be trying to find the cheapest airfare and accomodation to follow it!

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Awfully nice aeroplane piccies available

It's been 14 years since I have seen the CWH Lancaster in action at Hamilton ONT - I'd love to see her in Europe this Summer.

BTW: Which Lancaster is scheduled for La Ferté Alais (France) in May ? BBMF or CWH ? The BBMF site doesn't list the 2005 appearances yet.

Anyway - I'll be there - also to see the Curtiss H-75

Here's the link:


http://ajbs.com/Les-Meetings/Meeting-20 ... r-2005.htm