Latest news with #AvroLancaster
CTV News
07-06-2025
- CTV News
Hangar Flight Museum pays tribute to D-Day with Avro Lancaster viewing for visitors
There was an Avro Lancaster viewing Friday at the Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary. Friday marked the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Normandy -- D-Day-- which was one of the pivotal moments of the Second World War. To mark the occasion, The Hangar Flight Museum held a special viewing day for their Avro Lancaster. Hundreds of Lancasters were built in Canada during the Second World War before they flew overseas to play a crucial role. Visitors got the chance to see how congested the insides of the planes were. Inside the Avro Lancaster Hundreds of Avro Lancasters were built in Canada and shipped to Europe where they played a crucial role in the Second World War (CTV Calgary) 'I find it very emotionally impactful to be inside there and the darkness and the enclosed nature and thinking about, OIK, seven boys and they might have been 18 years old, they might have been 20 years old; a lot of these were really young men who served in these planes,' said one museum guest. The Hangar Flight Museum will be opening the Lancaster for more viewing throughout the summer. For more information about The Hangar Flight Museum, go here.
Leader Live
03-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Family of Lancaster bomber crew member watch it land at Hawarden
Jack Oliver, from Hawarden, was a rear gunner in the iconic Avro Lancaster bomber in World War Two - taking part in 42 missions. Jack Oliver (Image: Family handout) In RAF bombers, nearly 50 per cent of crew members were killed during the Second World War - but, remarkably, Jack remained unharmed. This gave rise to his nickname of 'Lucky Jack' and people were desperate to fly with him on board. After the war, King George VI presented Jack with a medal and letter of thanks for his efforts during the war - after which he remained in the RAF. He died in 1999 - aged 81. Last Friday, his family were at Hawarden Airport to see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster bomber return there - 80 years to the month it rolled off the production line at what is now the Airbus wings factory. The Lancaster bomber and two Spitfires pictured during the flypast on Friday. (Image: Russell Challinor) Jack's daughter, Vanessa Roberts, her niece, Michelle Sherratt and Michelle's 12-year-old son, Quinn, were all in attendance. "As the Lancaster came into view, all of a sudden all I could think about was my dad stuck in that little bubble at the back being a rear gunner and all the dangers he went through. "I was incredibly emotional and wept into my niece's arms and I so wish he could've been here to see this. "I felt very privileged to see these great planes with my own eyes and it is on my bucket list to be able to go into that little bubble one day to see where my dad spent those terrible days and nights." Quinn, Michelle and Vanessa pictured on Friday. (Image: Handout) MORE NEWS: Michelle recalls Jack telling her about one mission where his toe was stuck in the rigging of the plane as a German plane approached. He was able to yank his toe free, breaking it in the process, so he could fire the machine gun. Vanessa added: "My dad had PTSD from seeing so many of his friends' planes being shot down. I remember my mum used to have to wake him up as he was shouting in his sleep. "He was my hero."
The Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Second World War bomber returns home for 80th anniversary
A Second World War bomber has returned to its birthplace 80 years after it was built. The Avro Lancaster performed flypasts over Broughton, North Wales, alongside Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters before landing at the Airbus wing building factory on Friday evening. The aircraft was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing bombers. The Lancaster PA474, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.'
Leader Live
31-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Second World War bomber returns home for 80th anniversary
The Avro Lancaster performed flypasts over Broughton, North Wales, alongside Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters before landing at the Airbus wing building factory on Friday evening. The aircraft was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing bombers. The Lancaster PA474, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.'
Powys County Times
31-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Second World War bomber returns home for 80th anniversary
A Second World War bomber has returned to its birthplace 80 years after it was built. The Avro Lancaster performed flypasts over Broughton, North Wales, alongside Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters before landing at the Airbus wing building factory on Friday evening. The aircraft was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing bombers. The Lancaster PA474, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.'
