Fri Jul 13, 2018 2:22 pm
Toronto’s historic Avro Lancaster bomber could receive some assistance from Hamilton’s Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, custodian and operator of North America’s last and only flying Lancaster.
The Toronto Lancaster has been in storage for many years and the City recently decided to find a new suitable home to display and restore the large aircraft. The Toronto Economic Development Committee are now recommending the Lancaster be given to a museum in British Columbia.
This recommendation is not sitting well with many Torontonians who believe this short-sighted recommendation was based primarily on financial justification that ignores the historical and social significance of this aircraft to the City of Toronto. This aircraft was manufactured in Toronto by Torontonians at a desperate time when WWII threatened the nation and democracy. Few Canadian families from the 1940s were spared losses from this conflict. The City of Toronto Lancaster is a testimony to the determination of Torontonians to support the national interests of the time.
David G. Rohrer, President & CEO (and current Lancaster pilot) of Hamilton’s Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, believes the Lancaster should remain in the Toronto area to represent the 10,000 Toronto workers who built the 430 Lancasters. “Now that the Toronto bid was rejected, we are now proposing to the City of Toronto to restore the Lancaster to running taxiable condition over a 10 year restoration process. After evaluation of the project, perhaps restoration back to flying condition could also be considered.”
Sun Jul 15, 2018 7:02 pm
Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:12 am
Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:00 am
Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:11 am
DH82EH wrote:The City of Toronto has virtually no motivation to restore this Lanc.
FM-213 flies by all the time and costs them nothing, so a static machine that will cost a boatload is a tough sell.
It's time to get out of the way, of people that have the resources to treat this Lanc the way it deserves.
Andy
Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:47 pm
Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:01 pm
Fleet16b wrote:DH82EH wrote:The City of Toronto has virtually no motivation to restore this Lanc.
FM-213 flies by all the time and costs them nothing, so a static machine that will cost a boatload is a tough sell.
It's time to get out of the way, of people that have the resources to treat this Lanc the way it deserves.
Andy
EXACTLY !
Tue Jul 17, 2018 8:57 am
The CWH does not fit the city’s criteria for deaccession of this artifact. This is clearly stated in their previous decision if you read the Economic development committee decision ED28-7. This is a museum artifact, and it’s deaccession is governed by the city’s mandate that: (The public interest in FM104 must be protected and the public benefit of FM104 maximized by keeping it in the public domain.
Placing it where it can be maintained and interpreted well; and, FM104 would be best placed with an aviation museum without a Lancaster, given the rarity of the object and to avoid duplication in an institution's collection. Place her with a museum that does not have a Lancaster and where it will be seen by the public at large).
Yes we all know it was built in Malton, and respect that, but so were the other Lancaster’s in Ontario. We are as passionate on the west coast as the people of Toronto on the subject.
These aircraft were built in Canada by Canadians, they were crewed by Canadians from every province, the Lancaster was operational on the west coast as well as the east coast. We listen quietly to all the mud slinging as we finalize plans to move the Aircraft to her new home. Toronto’s contribution to the Canadian war effort is forever commemorated by their amazing accomplishments.
My family never served in the RCAF they were preoccupied on the ground removing the occupying forces from Sicily, Italy and holland with #11CTR #Ontariotanks
Respectfully
Mike Ingram
http://www.vicair.net
Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:26 am
Agreed, but that's just not what usually happens.DH82EH wrote:It's time to get out of the way, of people that have the resources to treat this Lanc the way it deserves.
Tue Jul 17, 2018 1:14 pm
UPDATE - From David G Rohrer, President & CEO, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum -
After several attempts to speak with Toronto Councillor Thompson, Head of the Economic Development Committee, he finally returned my calls yesterday and in our conversation stated that his committee would not entertain our amended CWH submission to restore Toronto Lancaster FM104 and keep it in the Golden Horseshoe Area and GTA at no cost to any taxpayers. Thompson indicated the plan to send FM104 to the British Columbia Aviation Museum is a done deal and that if they cannot take it will go to Edenvale.
While Thompson’s committee recommendations regarding the disposition of the Toronto Lancaster FM104 goes to Toronto City Council for ratification, Thompson indicates that only a “Motion in Council” from another City Councillor can now delay or cause a further review of the issue which he feels is now final as his committee will not consider any other options.
So at this point it is really up to the Toronto politicians to stand up and represent the wishes of their constituents with respect to the disposition of FM104 if they are so inclined.
Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:26 pm
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Wed Jul 25, 2018 6:29 pm