A Flight in CWHM's Avro Lancaster bomber VR-A that's dedicated to Andrew Mynarski VC.

[@Mr.Tomcat]

Nice video, just as if we were inside... thanks for sharing this unique experience ! The view is beautiful too. My grandad was a RCAF Flight Engineer on Mk2 Lanc during WW2, shot on his 8th flight and was a POW until the end of war. Lest we forget !

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Happy to share the experience. It was a very good day.

[@craigpennington1251]

@@DavidHillsAviation I'm sure it was. And you are welcome.

[@Hildred5]

I watch this for my husband, - a Lancaster Pilot in WW2 - and wish he was here to experience this video. Thank you.....

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're very welcome, Hildred.

[@Sereno44]

He didn't need it... he flied it in real tough conditions... not an expectardor

[@EthanolEnthusiast]

@@Sereno44 Shut up.

[@bjorwen]

❤️❤️

[@Bruce-1956]

Your husband was a very brave man. My uncle flew Wellingtons, he didn't return. #wewillrememberthem.

[@peter-e2q]

And the only sound you can hear is the magical four Rolls Royce Merlin engines… No irrelevant, irritating background music. I hope other you tubers learn from this. Fabulous

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, Peter. As this is an in-flight video, only the original audio in each clip is used.

[@rickhunter-wolff]

This piece of history flies over our home, all season. Those huge Marlins are the sound of freedom.....

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It is an incredible airplane.

[@29jug11]

This almost brought tears to my eyes as I recall the thousands of aircrew who flew regular missions during WWII …….Imagine sitting through that noise for eight hours or so….hoping against the odds that you might get back…

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The all-volunteer crews were brave beyond understanding. It's difficult to imagine that now.

[@densalbeach1]

I know it is a machine of war, but it is a thing of beauty and a credit to the generation who designed, built and flew in it. God only knows where we would be if it hadn't been for Bomber Command.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Yes, the aircraft and crews were essential for the war effort. Most of this airplanes missions post-war were search and rescue before retirement and then restoration the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. The museum has been flying it for over 25 years now.

[@zella417bcarter9]

What a stunning video. The sound of those Merlins!! View of Niagara Falls. BRILLIANT.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, it was a very good flight.

[@zella417bcarter9]

@@DavidHillsAviation Just to add, although you may laugh, I am nervous when I am a passenger in a jet aircraft and cannot wait to land but I would happily step into a Lancaster bomber or a spitfire any day and I know i would enjoy the flight. I watched the Red Arrows performing a few years back from Paignton seafront ... followed by a Spitfire which flew fairly low over the pier and performed all sorts of twists and turns. Next day one of the Red Arrow aircraft was sitting on the large green in Paignton together with the spitfire a few yards away. One guess as to which plane i stood next to in order for my photo to be taken. LOL

[@DavidHillsAviation]

@@zella417bcarter9 I'd rather fly in these as well. There are no computers to break. :)

[@zella417bcarter9]

@@DavidHillsAviation Hahahahaaa. Good point!!

[@dudeman69abc123]

I had the privilege of meeting and befriend a man that flew them d day. He was a captain in the rcaf and logged just over 2000hrs in one. He was my grandfather inlaw and I was the only one in the family he spoke to about ww2. He passed at 94 and is missed dearly by his family.

[@milly-moo9056]

This was amazing.. my grandad was a Lancaster pilot, he survived and got the DFC medal for saving his entire crew when 2 engines caught fire and landed with a full bomb load. He survived the war, but I never got to meet him, I did a couple of the crew and I cherish them all. I had the pleasure of actually standing inside our only flying Lancaster at RAF Conningsby. What an honour that was xx

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@Wolfsschanze99]

As a child I remember being told by a Navigator in Bomber command who was in Lancs that on take off with a full load of fuel & Bombs one of the crew would lay on the floor between the Pilot & engineer & hold the throttles so they wouldn't kick back off, loosing one engine on take off was fatal, he also went on to say during the mission they tried avoiding touching any metal with bare hands as the vibration felt like a burn. Great Vid, I could watch this stuff all day.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, I'll post more when I am able. The vibration and the sound go right through you on take-off still today.

[@barrys1342]

Brilliantly done Thanks so much 🇿🇦

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, I had to share the flight.

[@davehumpleby3440]

A beautiful, iconic aircraft and piece of history.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

We are fortunate to have it flying over our area each summer.

[@Jeff-b9r]

Thank you. Such a great video and brought back fond memories from my school days. In 1975 my English teacher at primary school (Grade 7 Amanzimtoti Primary School, South Africa) was Leslie Charles James Broderick. Mr broderick was one of the last survivors from the "Great Escape". He was a Lancaster pilot that was shot down over France where some of the crew were killed. He found himself at Stalag Luft III. Every Friday the last school lesson was dedicated to the telling of the "Great Escape". It spanned a full year, with drawings on the blackboard and details of life in the camp and subsequent escape that no "movie" could convey. The horror of the crash and seeing his crew burning left a vivid picture in this 12 year old boy. His passion for the Lancaster was clear to see. His eyes would light up as he explained the inner working of this magnificent plane. And to think that he told this story over and over for many years. I cannot see a Lancastrer without thinking of him. He died in 2013 aged 91. He has a page on Wikipedia for more details.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thanks for sharing your story. It's great to hear about your connection with the Avro Lancaster.

[@careliacarelita2294]

A trip on Lan!. Very Awesome!...""🤓👍

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It was a very good day and a good flight.

[@stevebroughton4787]

Listening to this with headphones on......those Merlins singing their lullaby, it must have been reassuring to all those brave crews during the war. Never forget.......Lest We Forget.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The sound and the power of the Merlin engines is incredible. The volunteer crew's endurance is inspiring.

[@username6080]

Excellent production. It's refreshing to view a video without any superfluous commentary or background music. Just the sights & sounds of what it would be like to experience flying in such an iconic machine. Thank You Mr. Hills

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thanks R.J.!

[@larry4789]

I saw Vera and Thumper at an airshow in Southport in 2014. Absolutely magnificent. And i went in Just Jane about 1970 ish at Squires Gate in Blackpool with my dad who was a former Lancaster rear gunner. I remember reading about Andrew Charles Mynarski many years ago. All the 125,000 bomber boys were heroes.

[@lornaburgess9762]

My brother John works at East Kirkby where they are working on Just Jane to get her back in the air, it's a 10 Yr project, I love the sound of the Merlin engines there's nothing like them.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

They are making progress.

[@brianbrady4496]

God I love the sound of those merlins

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The sound of them roaring on take off is incredible.

[@grahammoore-grundy9944]

I was lucky enough to,fly in a Spitfire over the White Cliffs of Dover, a humbling experience. The sound from the one Merlin engine was magical, but deafening, how sweet to have four of them! My thoughts went to all,those brave and fearless young men flying, often at night, being shot at by planes and anti aircraft fire, to protect us, puts todays problem into perspective. Thanks for posting!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome, A flight in a Spitfire would be incredible. The men who flew these aircraft efforts worked to give us the lives we have today.

[@garrypanasiuk5046]

My mother riveted the wings to the fuselage at Victory Aircraft in Malton Ont. She started building Mosquito bombers and was transferred to to the Lancaster. Her first assignment was to build her tool chest. I have that chest with her initials embossed on bottom left corner.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The Lancaster I was flying in was built by Victory Aircraft. It's great to hear that you still have the tool chest. It's possible that some of her work is still flying.

[@peterzingler6221]

Scary that my first thought was that's impressive graphics

[@DavidHillsAviation]

No computer graphics, all real Lancaster VR-A and it was shot on an iPhone.

[@gm16v149]

Great video, I’ve been in a P51D with just one Merlin, imagine the sound of four! My father was in the ATC in England as a teenager, when he was 15 in 1942 he got to go on a maintenance test flight in a Lancaster bomber with other cadets. He said he sat in the tail gunner’s seat and it was an experience he never forgot.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, the synchronized merlin sound is amazing. A Mustang would be a treat to fly in.

[@michaelmurray11189]

@@DavidHillsAviation One thing I’d like to cross off my bucket list is to fly any of several classic warbirds. The P-38, P-51 or a P-47, maybe start out flying a T-6 Texan before moving on to any of the 3 aforementioned warbirds.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

@@michaelmurray11189 The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has a T-6, it's called a Harvard in Canada, along with a B-25 Mitchell that's available for rides.

[@KumaBean]

In 2014 I was lucky enough to experience the sound of nine Merlins and a Hurricane, it was the BBMF (consisting of Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane) the fine bird seen in this video. It was incredible 🙂👌

[@craigpennington1251]

WOW! Thanks guys, you've made my day. That was awesome.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The maintenance and flight crews at CWHM deserve praise for keeping the Lancaster and four other multi-engine and three single-engine trainers flying each year.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

I've been fortunate enough to see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight a couple of times. The sound of the Lancaster is mesmerising and spine-tingling. Ditto the Hurricane and Spitfire. It's almost hard to believe that these beautiful aircraft were once weapons of war. This was a really good video, made all the better for the absence of unnecessary rambling commentary and melodramatic music.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, Jonathan. The aircraft and engine's audio is incredible and inflight the sound goes right through you. The museum engineers, mechanics and flight crews make it possible.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

@@DavidHillsAviation What a privilege to enjoy that experience. I can't even imagine what it must feel like to have a ride in a Lanc. Where I live in the midlands UK, Chinooks quite often pass overhead. The sound is amazing; you hear the distinctive heavy thump of the rotor blades for some time before you see the machine. Every time, without fail, I revert from being a 50-year-old man to being a little kid, casting my eyes skywards to watch these huge, green beasts clatter along their way. This was a great video. Incidentally, if you haven't read it already (you probably have) there's a fascinating book, Tail End Charlies, by John Nichol and Tony Rennell, which details the experiences of Lancaster rear gunners during WW2, which is said to have been the most dangerous military assignment during that conflict. The kids who flew those things must have had balls bigger than King Kong.

[@jumperpence]

Wonderful that these important aircraft are kept alive and running. Thank you for a great vid.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome. The crews that keep these flying work hard through the year.

[@Zawiedek]

Fantastic video! Spectacular views! An an incredibly raw "analog" machine, the engines are basically 4 Spitfire fronts strapped under the wings ... sitting in that thing, climbing up to 20.000ft in the dark of the night flying over hostile grounds - mind-boggling ...

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Yes, it has 4 Merlin engines similar to those in a Spitfire. The engines are a different model of Merlin engine as they spin larger propellers at a slower RPM. The RAF and RCAF mostly flew them at night as it was much safer for the comparatively slow bombers.

[@bonesshed.]

Awesome. Ive flown on BBMF PA474 and this brought back some amazing memories for sure !

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome. You've experienced a rare opportunity flying in PA474 from what I understand.

[@bonesshed.]

@@DavidHillsAviation Yes. I was in the Mob at the time at Coningsby (94) and blagged a jolly. As I understand it they dont do jollies anymore so yep, extremely fortunate ! most of the camera work here was from 'my' seat position too :-)

[@hunt4redoctober628]

I used to work at the home of the Avro Lancaster, Woodford Aerodrome, Stockport, Cheshire (where they also built the Avro Vulcan Bomber, Nimrod etc.). A really fantastic place with so much history. I used to spend a lot of time down at the 'Clubhouse' ( an old farm building next to to the Avro 504 hangar) in meetings and remember so much nostalgia. Sadly its all gone now. The site was demolished in 2015 ( including the old hangars where the Avro Lancaster was built) and turned into a housing estate of over 900 house! All in the interests of money...very sad.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The old factories are disappearing here in Canada as well. The CWHM is keeping flying history alive. They offer educational programs to school kids to educate about flight and aviation history.,

[@earnierosenow9834]

beautiful aircraft, thanks for the vid

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome. I had to share the experience.

[@kenc9236]

Beautiful video. Can you imagine 100's of these brave men in the sky at night?

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Knowing the amount of work it takes to keep one flying, the efforts to keep 100 of these flying would be incredible.

[@maryjohnson2190]

I would just love to fly in a Lancaster, it would be a dream come true, i dont expect it will ever happen, my Dad was in the RAF, I go to Derwent dam, it makes chills go up and down my spine ! What heroes and brave men they were, may God bless them all. I have a large picture with Guy Gibson, a Lancaster and his dog in my kitchen.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Flying in an Avro Lancaster is an incredible opportunity, which is why this video was posted. The volunteers that flew with Bomber Command were incredible men.

[@gingef5197]

Wow! I'm definitely saving this one, thanks a ton.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome, Ginge. It was an incredible opportunity.

[@s0la.scr1ptura]

So much cooler than modern day aircraft.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Definitely near the top for the coolest airplane that I have flown in.

[@alyciamarrison2916]

Wonderful to see, hope next time im in Canada I can visit CWHM! Thanks for a Fab video!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It is an incredible museum to visit. You'll need a few hours to see it all. A visit on the flying weekends is what recommend. They have a schedule on their website.

[@alistairshaw3206]

What an amazing video. It must have been brilliant to fly in the Lancaster. A few years ago the Lancaster flew to Britain, I was lucky enough to see the two Lancasters flying in formation flanked by two Spitfires on one side and two Hurricanes on the other. They were flying over Lincoln.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It was a very good day. I was on support crew for the UK Lancaster tour in 2014. Seeing the two Lancaster's flying was incredible.

[@Indzeosko]

Beautiful

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It was a great day.

[@richardlewis9765]

Yesterday, I had a taxy ride experience in Just Jane based in Lincolnshire UK. It was an incredibly humbling experience.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

I was through Just Jane a few years ago, it's very well restored. Lancaster VR-A is configured differently inside to allow for 4 passengers per flight.

[@lornaburgess9762]

My brother is one of the technicians working on NX611 Just Jane. Lorna

[@margotmaines7427]

Wonderful~! Thank you so much ♥

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome, it was an incredible day. I had to share the experience.

[@monteceitomoocher]

Awesome, many thanks for this video.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome. It's an experience I had to share.

[@bobdown8043]

Awesome.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thanks, Bob.

[@jeffwarshaw6838]

They’re going to fly her at the CNE Air Show over Labor Day weekend. I’m going to go see her. I can’t wait.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Yes, it's participating to celebrate the RCAF's 100th Anniversary.

[@alicevanmidden6413]

Geweldige beelden van start tot finish !

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Bedankt.

[@lewistaylor1965]

What a beautiful video...Thanks for uploading...Goose pimples!!!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome, Lewis.

[@buffplums]

Absolutely fabuulous

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It was an incredible day.

[@nederlander66]

Awesome!!!!!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It was a remarkable flight.

[@Blougheed]

what an incredible experience to have!! i live near there.. Maybe one day!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

It was a great day. There are still a couple of flying days at CWHM this year if you have the opportunity to visit.

[@paulboudreau7254]

Great video!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, it was my first long video.

[@californiadreamin8423]

Andrew Mynarski was based at RAF Middleton St George in the NE of England. I nearly said in North Yorkshire, but it’s on the County Durham side of the River Tees. In my younger days I used to go skating in Durham and understand the rink there was built for the Canadian airmen based not far away. There is a memorial to Andrew outside the George Hotel which was the Officers Mess on the base, today it’s called Teesside Airport. I had the privilege to meet Abb Denis who was a Lanc rear gunner, who visited Teesside with fellow veterans, to commemorate a memorial at what was RAF Croft, a satellite airfield nearby. Abb was from North Bay and we exchanged letters at Christmas for several years. He came on the jump seat of the DC9 which I commanded when we flew him down to Heathrow for his return home. That was in the late 80’s I think. Please give my regards to any of Abbs family should anyone reading this be in contact. I live about 6 miles away. Brian.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

I was with the group that brought the Canadian Lancaster to Teeside Airport in 2014. It was a stop on the UK Tour to honour Andrew Mynarski and his crew. We stayed at the now-closed St. George Hotel near the airfield.

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@DavidHillsAviation Hello David. That’s very interesting. Unfortunately that was the year before I retired and I was based in Paris so I didn’t know about it. I do remember walking around a Lanc on the apron at the time Abb visited , and probably because it was so easy to look into the rear turret, it didn’t appear that large. Having learnt on the Chipmunk, and with about 1400 hrs on the Dak, and a few thousand on the Viscount, just a sit in the cockpit would be fun !! I might get down to York later this year where they have a Halifax. Thanks for your post.

[@the_grand_tourer]

Interesting to see how much of the fuselage shell runs under the canopy and how exposed the pilot and co look, having a 109 diving down at you must have been 'thrilling'!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thrilling and terrifying for the wartime crews.

[@pega796]

Love ur vids❤

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you, I've received some incredible opportunities and look forward to sharing more or them.

[@joekurtz8303]

The engines almost look to be shrouded in Spifite front fuselages, grafted to the huge wings.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

That makes sense as the V-12 Merlin engines are roughly the same size, the props radiators and accessories are different.

[@joekurtz8303]

Worth looking into, cost saving mfg, & aero engineering.. my grandfather helped make P51's during the war.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

@@joekurtz8303 The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has a full maintenance department in-house with AME's, mechanics and sheet metal workers.

[@billyost1479]

The bomb load these birds could carry put the B-17 to shame. Only two downsides. The escape hatches were to small for an airman with parachute pack to get through. The second is the lack of sufficient firepower in the event of fighter attacks. Still, it served well in the battle against German industry and supply infrastructure.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Another challenge was that they only flew with one pilot, while the B-17 and B-24 had two pilots in the cockpit.

[@johnrainford9708]

Quality. 😉👍

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Thank you.

[@johnrainford9708]

@@DavidHillsAviation David i was lucky enough to see Vera At Southport Airshow when she came over to the UK with both Lancs flying together. Just awesome mate. Once in a lifetime Never forget it. J

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Yes, @@johnrainford9708 that was the last airshow where the two Lancaster bombers flew together before VR-A was serviced for the return to Canada. It was an incredible tour.

[@lornaburgess9762]

My Brother was a Senior Aircraft Technician in the RAF at The BBMF in Lincoln UK working on the Lanc there called City of Lincoln. Now retired he is working at East Kirkby Air museum Lincolnshire on NX611 Just Jane hoping to get her airborne again in a few years.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

He's doing great work. I visited the museum in East Kirkby in 2014, they have a great facility.

[@stanner7500]

Curious, for I thought that the correct start-up sequence for a Lancaster began with engine 3.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The Canadian Lancaster that was built and still flies with the Packard-built Merlin engines has a different start sequence than the BBMF Lancaster.

[@stanner7500]

@@DavidHillsAviationHello David, Thank you for informing me of this. I had not heard about certain Lancasters having a different start- up sequence. Why was there a need for this change? Stuart

[@DavidHillsAviation]

@@stanner7500 From what I understand as RAF- BBMF and this Lancaster have different versions of engines, the start-up sequence for this aircraft is based on the specifications set by the US engine manufacturer Packard, and Victory Aircraft, the company that built 430 Lancaster Mk X in here in Canada.

[@stanner7500]

@@DavidHillsAviation Which ever system is used they are just evocative of one of the most important times in the history of our island. The aesthetic and the sound. My family home is under the flight path of many BBMF sorties. Together with the spitfire and hurricane it is even now an amazing sight and sound on a lazy summer's day in England. I have built a 1:6 spitfire and about to build a 1:10 Lancaster.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Soooo when are you guys coming back to Jerry Yagin's place in Virginia Beach? It be fun to see you guys fly in formation with the Mossie, Spit, and Hurricane.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

This flying season, with the reduced flying hours available, it seems the airplanes are only flying from our museum. I look forward to visiting Virginia Beach next summer for one of the airshows.

[@GlanHuman]

quite agile for 4-motor bomber

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Yes, the flight crews are highly trained and experienced with this airplane which helps showcase the maneuverability.

[@PaulfromChicago]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

You're welcome. It was an experience I had to share.

[@archerry6457]

Great video but I can't hear the music over the sound of the engines.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

The engines are the music.

[@the_grand_tourer]

02:03 I bet the people in the tour boat had lost interest in staring at falling water at this point.

[@DavidHillsAviation]

People often post about seeing the Lancaster over Niagara Falls.

[@Firebrand55]

Funny; I thought the only beauty was in a womens smile, the curve of her hip...there's another!!....a Lancaster in flight!....but only five minutes?...that's like going to the Louvre and only looking at one work of art!

[@DavidHillsAviation]

Should I post another video of more clips from this flight?

[@Firebrand55]

@@DavidHillsAviation I think so David. This video is unique, very well filmed. It transports you to WW2 and the 55,000 who died flying in this machine...a tribute actually...it deserves to be extended; if you have the footage of course! Thanks for posting

[@DavidHillsAviation]

@@Firebrand55 I wanted to keep this edit at a length below 5 minutes so that even non-airplane people could watch it without getting bored. I'll have to review my shots and videos of that day to see what I can assemble as an extended cut.