Last of its Kind to Make Rare Showing at 71st Fly-In

As time runs out before AirVenture 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force has confirmed it will make an appearance with a vintage WWII Avro Lancaster Mark X, the last example of the breed on the continent.

The addition of the Canadian bird will bring out plenty of their other gear, too, with the Lancaster being accompanied by the Canadian Forces CF-18 demo team. It's a rare showing for one of the "rarest warbirds in North America" for the 71st edition of the country's biggest fly-in. The Lancaster has been owned and operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum of Mount Hope, Ontario, who have given it a good life after years on the job and on display. The aircraft was built in the last days of the war, sent over to the Royal Canadian Air Force to serve as a maritime patrol plane through the early sixties. Eventually, it was sent out to live as a display bird where it spent the better part of 20 years. 

But a good airframe rarely goes to waste, so the Lancaster was restored and brought back to flight as an homage to Victoria Cross recipient Andrew Mynarski of the No. 419 “Moose” Squadron. The Lancaster will do some flying, but otherwise be on display in Boeing Plaza in the heart of the action.

Its Hornet wingmen will be performing too, showing off a brand new livery for the 2024 RCAF centennial season. This year, the CF-18 demo team will perform at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Canada, and the United Kingdom as they go through their schedule. The Snowbirds will be performing during the AirVenture afternoon shows on July 26, 27, and 28, joined by warbirds of Vintage Wings of Canada throughout the week.

FMI: www.EAA.org