It is one of the most iconic airplanes of the Second World War. Where once there were thousands, hundreds of them Canadian-built, now there are only two Lancaster bombers left flying in the world.
Leon Evans is one of only five Canadian pilots qualified to pilot the historic bomber. I reached him by mobile phone near Hamilton, Ontario
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One of the two remaining airworthy Lancasters is in Britain, the other in Canada.
The Canadian plane restored with the registration number KB726 in honour of Canadian Victoria Cross winner P/O Andrew Mynarski, is known as “Vera” for her call letters, V-RA
This year in honour of the anniversary year of the 1944 D-Day invasion of Nazi-held Europe, the Canadian plane flew thousands of kilometres across the Atlantic to join the British plane for a commemorative tour of the British Isles.
Evans says the reaction from crowds in Britain was amazing.
They were thrilled to see and hear the two remaining planes flying together. Evans says that many in fact followed the planes to several shows around Britain.
For those, now in their late 80’s and 90’s who can remember the war, the planes evoked many many memories, while for the sons and daughters, it’s was a wonder to see the historic planes in the air
Evans says he never forgets the young men who so bravely and daringly flew in these planes, so many of whom never survived while doing their part to try to end tyranny.
He says the commemorative flights this year were hard work on all the crew, but he would do it again in a heartbeat.
Alas he says, due to the prohibitive costs, this will undoubtedly be the last time the two remaining warriors will fly together.
He hopes however that VeRA will keep on flying long after he’s gone, saying it’s important to keep the memory alive of the effort and sacrifice of those thousands of young men and women of decades ago.
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