A real flying 1945 Lancaster flew into town yesterday. Awesum sight and sound. Me and a fellow Hamber checked out the ol war bird today on display at the Western Canada Air Museum. This was one of two in the world still flying and the only one that alows inside access. Chance of a lifetime.
Thats pretty cool stuff. You cant but help think of the history, and men actually flying off to war in those. I have had rides in a B17, The Liberty Belle, and a B25 Ponchito. Really neat. They do have a sound all their own as well. Nice you got the chance to get in and look it over. One day, a ride in a P51
YES it was cool to say the least. Clawing around inside and believe me, no creature comforts. Stunning to say the least. As we waited to get in there was a older gent in a wheelchair beside us. The look on his face was priceless as we all approached for our first look. Turns out after overhearing a conversation with some people he was with, he was a front gunner in a Lancaster. Being nosy i snuck a peak over a shoulder of some photos of him standing beside his original plane called the ' Bottle n Jug'. Now i was awe struck and actually proud to stand next to him. I can't even imagine what was going thru his head. But man......was he a happy camper and a moment i'll never forget.
That is a cool Bomber. Hope to see it one day. To think it was almost lost when the museum, its home base cought on fire.
That Lancaster is absolutely amazing. I live about 20 minutes away from the Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope Ontario where the Lancaster is stored. I've been there when they rolled out of the hanger and watched them light it up it's unbelievable . You use to be able to rent it. $5000 for a one hour flight for up to ten people and they would take you over Lake Ontario and open the bomber doors for you to take a look. I still get excited every time I see it . There is no mistaking it when you hear it.
All the WW II aircraft are awesome, especially the big ones. Can you imagine the balls required to take a Lancaster up, knowing that all those critical electrical switches were British? Bill
There is a Lancaster next door to me but unfortunately hasn't seen the light of day in quite a few years. Currently its all crated up but the front and rear turrets went to New Zealand where Peter Jackson(director,Lord of the Rings and King Kong) is under development for a redo of the "Dambusters" movie. I heard there are around 8 full size fibergl*** Lancs built for use in the movie. I've never seen a Lancaster in the air but did get to to see Kermit buzzing his future "Fantasy of Flight" site in his Mosquito many years ago and remember the hair on my neck standing up... awesome stuff! Currently he has a Hawker TempestV coming together and has gotten his hands on a couple Napier Sabre engines that I would love to hear. http://blog.kermitweeks.com/?cat=33
Yes sir, it was a fantastic day! To see it up close was one thing but to get inside was lifetime experiance, still a little awe struck ! The old boy that tedley mentions was incredible, damn near brought a tear to my eye. I bet he never grinned from ear to ear like that for a long time. kgdb
That was one of the first places I visited when I came to Toronto and I was was there when they fired that bad boy up. Awesome sound!! That is a cool little museum, worth the trip if your in the area. They got an area where you can watch them on their current restoration...
Awesome aircraft. Like you said, opportunity of a lifetime to look that thing over. Cool story, thanks! Lippy
I'm looking forward to the Dambusters movie. Here's something else Peter Jackson has a hand in: http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/ Makes me wonder if he has anything in store for 2014, 100th anniversary of WW1. A very cool website, be prepared to spend some time there.
Remembering from back then, it would be neat to have a "Spitfire or "Hurricane" flying along side!!!!!!!
The Jalopy Journal
