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The last two ‘LANCASTER BOMBERS’ still flying in the WORLD will come together to appear at this year’s SHOREHAM AIRSHOW on the 30th and 31st August.

“We are so honoured that we have been included on this display schedule, especially as it will be our 25th Anniversary Event. It was 25 years ago that the Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight made a surprise fly past over, our then small Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Shoreham Fete, at the Airport. Since then, subject to serviceability the Lancaster has appeared at all Shoreham Airshows,” said Derek Harber, Airshow Organiser.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster will depart from Hamilton, Ontario on August 4th to arrive in England on August 8th. The North Atlantic crossing will include en-route stops at Goose Bay, Labrador in Canada, Narsarsuaq in Greenland and Keflavik in Iceland prior to arriving in the UK.

These displays will celebrate the exceptionally close British/Canadian relationship and to commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of Commonwealth bomber crews and the professionalism of both nations’ air forces today.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum President and CEO, Sqn Ldr (Ret) Dave Rohrer C.D (and current Lancaster pilot), stated that the Trans-Atlantic crossing and visit to the BBMF is a “Once in a Lanc Time” event and will not happen again. Rohrer indicated that this year “A rare window of opportunity was identified to bring the last two flying Lancaster’s in the world together as a special salute to all the veterans of Bomber Command, many of whom are in their late 80s or older now.

“To showcase a flying display with both aircraft flying together (subject to serviceability) supported by other aircraft from the BBMF with be a unique tribute to all those that served in the time of need, in Canada, Britain and the entire Commonwealth that likely will never be seen again.”

expat wrote:Clever headline, two Lancasters flying at Shoreham. I bet every one can't wait to see the two fly past. They may fly together, but they will not formate. The BBMF never ever fly in formation with civilian piloted aircraft.......for what ever reason. I was at Duxford years back and there was the biggest collection of Spitfires to take to the sky since the Second World War. The BBMF also refused to to fly with civilian pilots. They flew a very, very long trail formation and flew their own holding patterns too....

Matt

RAFSB wrote:The pilots of the Canadian Lank are retired RCAF pilots both with many years of experience flying formation. CWHM has the Lank, B-25, PBY and C-47 that fly formation all the time.

expat wrote:Clever headline, two Lancasters flying at Shoreham. I bet every one can't wait to see the two fly past. They may fly together, but they will not formate. The BBMF never ever fly in formation with civilian piloted aircraft.......for what ever reason. I was at Duxford years back and there was the biggest collection of Spitfires to take to the sky since the Second World War. The BBMF also refused to to fly with civilian pilots. They flew a very, very long trail formation and flew their own holding patterns too....

Matt

So, that fact being established I wonder about the reason for the BBMF policy? There again is it SOP or are they just acting aloof?

C wrote:

expat wrote:Clever headline, two Lancasters flying at Shoreham. I bet every one can't wait to see the two fly past. They may fly together, but they will not formate. The BBMF never ever fly in formation with civilian piloted aircraft.......for what ever reason. I was at Duxford years back and there was the biggest collection of Spitfires to take to the sky since the Second World War. The BBMF also refused to to fly with civilian pilots. They flew a very, very long trail formation and flew their own holding patterns too....

Matt

No so anymore - the Lanc has done several flypasts with the Vulcan for starters. I was chatting to Bomber Leader a few weeks ago and he was rather enthusiastic about the whole thing.

Of course I asked the question "who's qualified to fly a Lancaster in formation with another" (seeing as it hasn't beem done for 50 odd years)!

It'll happen.

So, that fact being established I wonder about the reason for the BBMF policy? There again is it SOP or are they just acting aloof?

I suspect it has been a safety/regulatory issue in the past. As seen by relatively recent events in European airshows, some civvy warbird operators and pilot occasionally don't quite meet the same standards of training and airmanship of their military counterparts. In a similar vein, the BBMF have generally always flown comparatively sedate displays with the fighters compared to civvies. The Lancaster actually alleviates the issue to a point, as if necessary a member of BBMF aircrew will be able to fly in the Canadian Lanc.