World War II bomber arrives in Winnipeg

A piece of Second World War history flew into Winnipeg Thursday.

A massive Lancaster bomber buzzed the city and touched down at Richardson International airport late Thursday morning, the start of a six-day visit at the Western Canada Aviation museum.

It’s one of only two such aircraft still flying in the world today – and this particular machine, the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster Mark X, commemorates Winnipeger Andrew Mynarski who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his valiant attempt to save a trapped crew member when his Royal Canadian Air Force Lancaster was shot down over France in June, 1944.

"It's a thrill to fly, and a privilege to fly it, but you have to be very careful because there's only one of them in the country that flies," says Lancaster pilot, Richard Pulley.

Today, Pulley is one of five pilots who volunteers to show the Lanc across North America. The aging machine is a challenge to keep in the air.

"On the average we do a hundred hours of maintenance work for ever hour we fly," says Dave Finnamore, Lancaster Engineer.

For the hundreds of Winnipeggers who line up for a glimpse each time it's here, seeing the plane is a chance to step into a piece of flying history.

The Lancaster was the largest bomber of the Second World War, carrying the heaviest bomb load and participating in some of the most famous attacks of the war, including the precision raid on Dams in the German industrial Ruhr region, and sinking the German battleship Tirpitz. Thousands of Canadian aircrew and other personnel served with the RCAF and RAF's Lancaster squadrons in England; and thousands of Canadians at home worked at Victory Aircraft in Malton, Ontario, where they produced over 400 Lancaster Mk X's. In total, more than 7,300 Lancasters rolled off the production lines in Britain and Canada.

"So many thousands and thousands of Canadians were aircrew, they served as pilot navigator, as one of the gunners," explains Shirley Render of the Western Canadian Aviation Museum.

Public viewing schedule

The Lancaster will be 'open' for viewing and the crew will be on hand to meet the public at the Western Canada Aviation Museum, 958 Ferry Road.

Thursday, July 29: No public viewing

Friday, July 30: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Saturday, July 31: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sunday, August 1: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Monday, August 2: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday, August 3: No public viewing

Museum Admission July 30 - August 2:

Members, Seniors & Children - $5

Adults - $10

Family - $30