Two Lancasters to fly together at airshow

Organisers said they were honoured to confirm the rare display for the airshow’s 25th anniversary, on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31.

The bomber has always been a popular part of the Shoreham Airshow but this year, the two will fly together for the show for the first time, as a special salute to the veterans of Bomber Command.

Derek Harber, airshow organiser, said: “We are so honoured that we have been included on this display schedule, especially as it will be our 25th anniversary event.

“It was 25 years ago that the Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight made a surprise fly past over our then small Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Shoreham fête at the airport.

“Since then, subject to serviceability, the Lancaster has appeared at all Shoreham airshows.”

The Lancaster from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum will depart from Hamilton, Ontario, on August 4 and take five days to fly to England, arriving in the country on August 8.

The North Atlantic crossing will include en-route stops at Goose Bay, Labrador in Canada, Narsarsuaq in Greenland and Keflavik in Iceland.

Airshow press office John Periam said the Lancaster displays would celebrate the close British and Canadian relationship and commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of Commonwealth bomber crews, as well as the professionalism of both nations’ air forces today.

Lancaster pilot Sqn Ldr (Ret) Dave Rohrer, president of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, said the transatlantic crossing was a ‘once in a Lanc time’ event and would not happen again.

He said: “A rare window of opportunity was identified to bring the last two flying Lancasters in the world together as a special salute to all the veterans of Bomber Command, many of whom are in their late 80s or older now.”

Tickets are £18 in advance, £22 on the gate, children aged five to 15, £5 in advance, £8 on the gate. Book online at www.shorehamairshow.co.uk or telephone the ticket hotline on 01903 282360.