Fly Past

60 FLYPAST September 2018

WARBIRDS AVRO LANCASTER

FROM THE PAST’

A

s one of just two airworthy

Avro Lancasters in the

world – and the only one

currently offering flights to the

public – the Canadian Warplane

Heritage Museum’s B.X model,

FM213, justifiably receives plenty

of attention.

The Hamilton, Ontario-

based operator frequently

applies temporary markings to

the bomber’s port side,

ensuring its appearance

remains ‘fresh’ and

enabling it to

commemorate

significant

anniversaries.

For 2018, to mark 75 years since

the legendary Dambusters raid

(see July issue), FM213 has been

adorned with dedicatory nose

art, and the squadron codes and

serial number of the aircraft flown

by 617 Squadron’s Wg Cdr Guy

Gibson on the night of May 15/16,

1943. Flying as ED932/AJ-G, this
      lauded machine is a distinctive and
      poignant sight in Canadian skies.
      Although it’s had several identities
      over the decades, FM213 is usually
      nicknamed ‘VeRA’, derived from
      the 419 ‘Moose’ Squadron unit
      codes, VR-A, it wears. This livery
      is always retained on the starboard
      side, even when flying with
      temporary markings to port. It’s
      also sometimes referred to as the
      Mynarski Memorial Lancaster, as it
      represents KB726, the bomber in
      which Andrew Mynarski VC
      served as a gunner (see panel on
      page 64).