DND photo.

Lancaster aircraft taking-off from Cold Lake with a pair of Firebee drones suspended from it's wings bound for the range at Primrose Lake 30 miles away. DND photo.

Canadian built aircraft with the enlarged bomb bay for 8000lb bombs. Once Boscombe Down finished its trial, KB783 went on the serve with 428 and 419 Squadrons, both Canadian units within Bomber Command. The aircraft returned to Canada postwar where it almost immediately suffered an accident at Yarmouth. Written off, it would serve two years as an instructional airframe before being scrapped. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

DND photo.

DND photo.

DND photo.

DND photo.

DND photo.

DND photo.

DND photo.

Victory Aircraft manufactured 430 Lancaster Xs at their Malton, ON plant, FM136 emerging in 1945. Sent to 32 MU St Athan in May 1945, it was too late to be issued to an active squadron and returned to the Pearce, AB depot in Canada. Eventually converted to Maritime Reconnaissance configuration, it was flown by 404 'Buffalo' (Maritime Patrol) Sqdn at Greenwood, Nova Scotia and later 407 'Demon' (MP) Squadron at Comox, BC carrying squadron markings RX-136 until struck off in April 1961. FM136 spent the next 30 years displayed on a pedestal at Calgary airport before joining the museum in 1992.

Now on display inside the 'big tent'.

Initially preserved at the international airport on a plinth, in camo and black markings, but moved to the museum in April 1992. By 1996 the paintwork was in very poor condition, and during the restoration that followed it was unfortunately repainted in these unattractive all-grey markings. Its front turret is evidently missing in this photo, presumably for restoration. Seen here while it was still on outdoor display, but it had been moved indoors by Sep 2007. It later regained its original and much nicer camo and black markings.

Victory Aircraft Ltd delivered this Lancaster to the RCAF on August 21, 1946. Withdrawn from service and placed on display at Goderich June 14, 1964 it was officially struck off strength at the end of that month. The Lanc was acquired by the Canadian Warplane Heritage in 1977 and in one of the great feats of historical aircraft preservation, airlifted the bomber by helicopter to it's base at Hamilton in 1979 to restore it to flying condition over the next nine years.