Video: Canadian Lancaster says farewell in Lincoln flypast

Hundreds of people watched the Canadian Lancaster Vera take to the Lincolnshire skies for the last time on Tuesday, September 23 as she began a 3,700 mile trip home.

Vera left RAF Coningsby in the morning after six weeks touring the country with Lincolnshire’s sole airworthy Bomber, Thumper III.

The pair made a last flypast over Lincoln and were met by crowds wishing to say farewell.

Photo: Sean Strange

Photo: Sean Strange

Farmer Andrew Scoley from Friends of Metheringham Airfield did this farewell to the aircrew and the Canadian Lancaster bomber. His farm is at the end of RAF Waddington’s runway.

Farmer Andrew Scoley says goodbye to Vera.

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out to view the prized duo throughout the tour. The last event of the tour saw the two mark a 50th anniversary visit to the ‘Dambusters’ Derwent Dam.

Gallery: Canadian Lancaster tours the UK

Before her departure, the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association presented Vera’s hosts, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, with a cheque for $C10,695 (Canadian Dollars).

Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association Chairman Ray Bainborough presents its $C 10,695 cheque to Vera’s Chief Pilot Don Schofield in front of the historic aircraft.

The Association decided to give some of its own funds to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum after an appeal went out for help after Vera suffered engine problems in late August.

The Association, which has more than 5,000 members worldwide, supports the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and war memorials honouring those who lost their lives during wartime conflicts.

Association Chairman Ray Bainborough said: “We were delighted to say a fond farewell to Vera and her crew, who have been hosted by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Coningsby, by presenting the Canadians with this donation.

“The figure of 10,695 is very significant. That is the number of Canadian Air Force servicemen who died while flying with Bomber Command in the Second World War.

“It has been absolutely fantastic to have Vera in the county. She has been an absolutely amazing sight for people of all ages, who have had the privilege of seeing the only two remaining airworthy Lancasters in the world flying together. Skywatchers have witnessed history in the making.”

The last flight

Photo: Liz Ward

Photo: Lindsey Kirkland Sale

Photo: Jo Mansfield

Photo: Andrew Guy Moreton

Photo: Anthony Shenton