[Swifty]

I saw a documentry on the Lancaster at the Heritage museum, the pilot was saying that it was a good thing the plane was restored to flying condition some years ago. If they were to attempt it today it wouldn't be done due to the cost involved.

I talked to one of the volunteers at the Museum in Nanton where they are getting the merlin engines on their Lancaster in running condition, he said it costs about $50,000 for each one. Two of the four engines have been done. Not sure what it would cost to get a Lancaster airworthy now, lots I guess.

[canadianf1pilot]

The lanks that are still flying are so rare because they were built fast, and fairly crude, and designed to last for 30 odd missions, not 6 decades!
the part that always gets me is there are only a handfull of pilots alive who are checked out to fly the lank, but during the war, 22-23 year old kids who just got thier wings were sent up in these things, loaded full of bombs....at NIGHT!

Bill

[Swifty]

I guy I know from Manitoba said his father flew a Lancaster during the war. When the war was over he never flew again, his son said all he wanted to do was be a farmer. Must have been a traumatic experience to never fly again.

[Max]

CWH is a fantastic Canadian Treasure!.

I hope to see these gems flying for many more years, but one wonders how long they can continue to fly before they finally decide its too old to take the risk?

[ronnieo]

Last time I went there was about 5 years ago when me and my bro paid about $15 to get in. Just seen an ad on CBC where it is $139 per family...is it raised up that much now?
It is a spectacular place and on the bucket list for aviators.

[McFlyer]

Originally Posted by canadianf1pilot

The lanks that are still flying are so rare because they were built fast, and fairly crude, and designed to last for 30 odd missions, not 6 decades!
the part that always gets me is there are only a handfull of pilots alive who are checked out to fly the lank, but during the war, 22-23 year old kids who just got thier wings were sent up in these things, loaded full of bombs....at NIGHT!

Bill

There is a must read novel called " Boys, Bombs and Brussel sprouts ". This novel was written by a Canadian pilot of lancasters in WW2. Absolutely incredible story. One thing that stands out is when he talked about getting coned by the enemy search lights. He said that when one search light picked you up you had a chance to jinx your aircraft around to try and lose it. But if other search lights got you and coned you, you were pretty well toast. The enemy would send up the Flak.

Very, very good reading. Exellent author. Gives you an idea what it must have been like being a 20 - some year old flying lancs at night.