With Eastbourne Airshow just a couple of weeks away, the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber is set to begin its long journey back to the UK this Tuesday.
The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber, which makes its return to England for the first time since WWII, will display first over Eastbourne with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which features the only other airworthy Lancaster in the world.
Re-united as a special salute to veterans of Bomber Command, the reunion over Eastbourne will make them the first Lancaster bombers to display in formation over Britain in 50 years!
Named after Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski, the Canadian Lancaster was so called after the airman won a posthumous Victorian Cross for his attempts to save a tail gunner from a blazing plane over France just a week after D-Day. Mynarski sadly died but tail gunner Pat Brophy miraculously survived.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Sports services, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “We are very excited to see the two Lancaster’s reunite for the first time in 50 years at our airshow. This will be a fantastic tribute to Bomber Command and with just a few days to go before it makes it’s journey from Canada, we hope fans will enjoy the excitement of the build up to this awesome event!”
Eastbourne will be the first UK airshow to see the momentous occasion at 2.59pm on Thursday 14 August. After the spectacular display with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, several trained Lancaster pilots and crew from the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber will be on hand to talk to the crowds at the show.
The Canadian Lancaster bomber will display in formation with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane at 2.59pm on Thursday, 3pm on Friday, 3.05pm on Saturday and 12.57pm on Sunday.
Shadow Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure & Sports Services, Cllr Phillip Ede said “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the two Lancasters together at our free airshow. We are delighted to welcome this historic aircraft, along with the Red Arrows during their 50th anniversary year, along with many other fantastic display teams.”
The bomber is due to fly out from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Ontario, Canada at 10am on Tuesday 5th August, on the first leg of its four day transatlantic trip. Stopping off in Goose Bay, Greenland and Iceland en route, it will continue its journey to RAF Coningsby where it will join the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for a period of scheduled maintenance and training.
Eastbourne will be the first airshow on a two month tour to see both Lancasters display together for the first time in 50 years and VisitEastbourne will be following the momentous journey with daily updates on Facebook/AirbourneEastbourne and Twitter @Eb_Airshow as well as on www.eastbourneairshow.com
Airbourne takes place on Eastbourne seafront from 14 – 17 August and entry is free. The event opens from 10am each day with music and entertainment on stage until 7.30pm each evening and an end of show party on Sunday, culminating in a special Red Arrows 50th anniversary themed fireworks display at 10pm.
