Two Lancaster Bombers fly together for first time in 50 years

At RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire two Lancaster Bombers took to the skies today for the first formation flight of this aircraft type since the 1960s. The two Lancasters will visit some 60 air shows and public events across the UK over the next 5 weeks and today’s flying was in rehearsal for tomorrow’s first public engagement at the Bournemouth Air Show this weekend

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The Lancaster “Thumper”, which is part of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been joined by the Canadian Lancaster “Vera” from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Ontario. Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright
The Lancaster “Thumper”, which is part of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been joined by the Canadian Lancaster “Vera” from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Ontario. Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright

At RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire two Lancaster Bombers took to the skies today for the first formation flight of this aircraft type since the 1960s. Stay tuned for a video coverage of this historic flight, aired later tonight on Defense-Update.

The two Lancasters will visit some 60 air shows and public events across the UK over the next 5 weeks.

The two Lancasters will visit some 60 air shows and public events across the UK over the next 5 weeks and today’s flying was in rehearsal for tomorrow’s first public engagement at the Bournemouth Air Show this weekend. Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright
The two Lancasters will visit some 60 air shows and public events across the UK over the next 5 weeks and today’s flying was in rehearsal for tomorrow’s first public engagement at the Bournemouth Air Show this weekend. Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright

Although 7,377 Lancaster aircraft were produced between 1941 and 1946, only two remain airworthy. One (a Mk 1 nicknamed ‘Thumper’) is maintained by the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), and the other is the Mk X, maintained by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) in Ontario, the Canadian aircraft is dubbed “Vera” for its markings “V-RA”.

“Thumper” and “Vera” will visit some 60 air shows and public events across the UK over the next 5 weeks. Today’s flying was in rehearsal for tomorrow’s first public engagement at the Bournemouth Air Show this weekend.

The Lancaster MK X "VRA" is one of two Lancaster bombers that remain in airworthy condition today. The bomber, maintained by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum flew a cross atlantic flight from Ontario to Coningsby, Lincolnshire in the UK, to join the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight MK I on a five week road show in the UK. Photo: MOD, Crown Copyright.
The Lancaster MK X “VRA” is one of two Lancaster bombers that remain in airworthy condition today. The bomber, maintained by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum flew a cross atlantic flight from Ontario to Coningsby, Lincolnshire in the UK, to join the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight MK I on a five week road show in the UK. Photo: MOD, Crown Copyright.

Based on ‘Night Bombers’ documentary, this edited video describes a mission flown by Lancaster bombers in WWII.

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