Residents of England may think they’re seeing double this summer as the two last airworthy Avro Lancaster bombers on Earth come together for a month of commemorative flights throughout the United Kingdom.
The two, four-engine, heavy bombers will appear as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), the Royal Air Force’s vintage war bird squadron that conducts fly-pasts at major events throughout the U.K.
The only remaining Canadian-built Lanc, will be joining the BBMF’s famous bomber known as PA474 beginning on Aug. 8.
The historic rendezvous will follow a four-day, 6,000 km (3,700 mile) transit flight for the North American aircraft that begins at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum near Toronto, Canada. The 69-year-old plane will reach Lincolnshire, England by way of the Canadian Forces base at Goose Bay, Labrador; Narsarsuaq, Greenland; and Keflavik, Iceland. It will then touch down at BBMF headquarters at RAF Corningsby.
After a period of post-flight maintenance on the Canadian machine, both aircraft will conduct a series of formation flights throughout Great Britain, along with a surviving Hurricane and Spitfire.
For more information check out the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s official announcement of the trip or BBMF’s own press release on the upcoming flights.