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I've read that there's only one in the U.S. and even then, it's stored away, waiting for restoration....there are more Lanc survivors in Canada than anywhere else, so in terms of preservation rarity...
I've read that there's only one in the U.S. and even then, it's stored away, waiting for restoration.
This might be a good opportunity then, for a complete Lancaster to be added to a U.S. collection
That's very sad. Moving it will cost a fortune; you'll need around three or four big flat beds after its been dismantled, which wouldn't be an easy task considering fasteners and such like will have fizzed away. Probably the quickest option in dismantling it would be to cut through the spars with a blow torch and then worry about repairs later, but this can do irreperable damage if the cutters are not careful, you also need a team of good skin bashers to make components to replace or strengthen the spars that were cut. Then of course, there's getting it onto the trucks, which will require a biggish crane. Once its dismantled, a suitable shelter is needed where it can be stored and if necessary worked on within it. Lancasters being what they are require a lot of room as it is, but to put one together within the confines of a building is quite difficult, unless it's a big hangar, so it'd probably have to be done out doors, then maybe build the shelter around the completed airframe. Even if it had a wall less shed, with a roof over it, that would be of considerable use to it where it is parked, that is, if the land owners want it there.
Let's hope a largeish preservation body in Canada sees the plight of this aircraft and comes to its rescue. A problem with this is that in Canada at least, Lancasters are not as rare as elsewhere; there are more Lanc survivors in Canada than anywhere else, so in terms of preservation rarity, since the national museums have one in their collection and obtaining a second might not be what they want to spend their meagre cash on, it might not be considered a rare enough airframe for saving, which is a great shame, but a fact of life in terms of what is financially worthwhile for these bodies.
If an outside party has a genuine interest, and the means, then let them take it and preserve it as best as possible, whether in sections, or as a complete airframe, so that it can be displayed for generations to come
Entirely agree - crowd-fund it and I'm sure the dosh could be raised quickly!
Though it may not do any good, I have just sent a letter to my Federal representative in Ottawa to see if he will look into it and search for other options. It would be nice if the other Canadian forum members could do the same with their local MPs. To any other members, this is the MP I sent my letter to...Bob Zimmer | Prince George?Peace River Maybe the other international members could flood his office with letters as well.
Geo