Victoria Air Maintenance has posted the following statement on their Facebook. For those who don't know these are the folks next door to the British Columbia Aviation Museum and would be assisting with the restoration of FM104. Given their prior restorations I think they are more then up for the task IMO
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