Historic WWII bomber returning to Goderich
On June 14, 1964, thousands of people gathered to watch a Lancaster bomber fly into Goderich’s airport.
This June, similar crowds are expected as Goderich’s Lancaster touches down in Huron County once again.
“So, 60 years to the date, it’s returning to what we’ll call its home,” said Goderich Legion President Randy Carroll.
After retiring from service in WWII as one of the most successful heavy bombers ever built, this Canadian-built Lancaster was to find its final resting place at a war memorial outside Goderich’s airport.
After 10 years on display, a chance visit by members of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum sparked an idea: why not try and make it fly again?
“So, we acquired the aircraft. Spent 11 years restoring it, and we’ve been flying it now for 36 years. It’s one of only two Lancasters flying in the world. We’ve taken it coast to coast across Canada. Ten years ago, we took it to England where it flew with the only other Lancaster,” said Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Marketing Coordinator Al Mickeloff.
IN PHOTOS: Lancaster Bomber
Lancaster bomber on display outside the Goderich airport in June of 1970. (Source: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum)
Currently stored in Hamilton, the Lancaster has never been back to Goderich since it was taken away in pieces in 1977.
That changes this June when Canada’s Lancaster flies back into the Goderich airport for a two day visit, including tours and a flyby over town.
“My father was instrumental with the Legion for many years. I can remember when the Lancaster came here in 1964. I’m really looking forward to seeing it again,” said Carroll.
The Lancaster will arrive on the morning of June 14, and leave on the afternoon of June 15.
Carroll said they’re expecting thousands of visitors to come and see Goderich’s Lancaster, some coming from as far away as British Columbia.
“Anywhere from brides of veterans who worked on or flew the Lancaster, to regular folks like you and I that just want to be here to see the Lancaster in the air and up close,” said Carroll.
Carroll said they’ll have more details about the Lancaster’s detailed itinerary in Goderich in the coming weeks.
You’ll be able to learn more on the Legion's website and at the Canadian Warplane Hertitage Museum website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Defence rests without Donald Trump taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial
Donald Trump's lawyers rested their defence Tuesday without the former president taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial.
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
'Documents are fraudulent': Graceland is not for sale, Elvis Presley's granddaughter says in lawsuit
Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, is fighting plans to publicly auction his Graceland estate in Memphis after a company tried to sell the property based on claims that a loan using the king of rock ’n’ roll's former home as collateral was not repaid.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
Nestle to sell $5 pizza, sandwiches in the U.S. for Wegovy, Ozempic users
Nestle NESN.S will market a new, US$5 line of frozen pizzas and protein-enriched pastas in the United States which it says it designed specifically for people taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.