Vera’s Precious Payload
by Glynis Fox.
Date: 23 September 2014
Picture above (l-r) Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association Chairman Ray Bainborough presents its $C10,695
cheque to Vera’s Chief Pilot Don Schofield in front of the historic aircraft.
When the Canadian Bomber, Vera, took to the skies today (Tuesday Sept 23) and said farewell to Lincolnshire, she was carrying an extra special “payload”.
The Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association had presented the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - which brought the wartime plane over to England - with a cheque for $C10,695 (Canadian Dollars).
The Association, which has more than 5,000 members worldwide, supports the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and war memorials honouring those who lost their lives during wartime conflicts.
Association Chairman Ray Bainborough said: “We were delighted to say a fond farewell to Vera and her crew, who have been hosted by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Coningsby, by presenting the Canadians with this donation.
“The figure of 10,695 is very significant. That is the number of Canadian Air Force servicemen who died while flying with Bomber Command in the Second World War. It is extremely important that we remember them and their sacrifice.”
Engine Problems
The Association decided to give some of its own funds to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum after an appeal went out for help after Vera suffered engine problems in late August.
That incident forced the plane to return to Durham Tees Valley Airport (the site of the former RAF Middleton St George, where it had been originally stationed), after taking off on a short flight.
Some rescheduling of a heavy programme of events for the crew was inevitable. But, after being fitted with a spare Merlin 500 engine – courtesy of the BBMF - a few days later Vera was back in the air again.
During the plane’s time with the BBMF, it has taken to the skies with the Flight’s own Lancaster, Thumper III, thrilling hundreds of thousands of people.
Vera left RAF Coningsby at 10am today (Tuesday, Sept 23) and flew over Lincoln Cathedral as she embarks on her 3,700 mile flight home to Ontario.
“It has been absolutely fantastic to have Vera in the county. She has been an absolutely amazing sight for people of all ages, who have had the privilege of seeing the only two remaining airworthy Lancasters in the world flying together. Skywatchers have witnessed history in the making,” said Mr Bainborough.
