Lancaster KB882 in the news...

[Warbirdnerd]

One of Canada's few remaining Lancaster bombers from the Second World War appears on the verge of being headed to a scrap heap.

Avro Lancaster Mk 10P KB882 marks its 50th anniversary on display at the New Brunswick-Quebec border near Edmundston this summer. But time and the elements have taken their toll on a bomber that survived 11 sorties into Germany during the Second World War, leaving the airplane falling apart.


Mychele Poitras says time is running out to save the Lancaster Bomber that will mark its 50th anniversary at the New Brunswick-Quebec border this year. (CBC)
"It's pitiful," said Mychele Poitras of the Edmundston society for the Preservation of the Lancaster. "It's really, really fragile."

The Lancaster already has a large hole in one metal wing, brought on by salt spray over the years from the nearby Trans-Canada Highway.

"Everything is hard on this plane," said Poitras. "It's been here for 50 years and all we've been doing is paint jobs, a bit of stickers to make her look nice and taking out the bird nests. And that's just not enough."

Four years ago, an inspector certified by Transport Canada assessed the Lancaster, the city of Edmundston bought from the federal government in 1964 to put on display.

"He was giving her about a five-year time span before the nose dives," said Poiras. "Once that happens, it's just basically a pack of scrap metal."

Poitras and her group have been searching for federal and provincial funding to try and restore the local landmark. They've approached the city. They've tried to raise money locally.


A hole has appeared on the underside of one wing of the Lancaster bomber in Edmundston. (CBC)
They've largely come up empty when they need to find $700,000 to $1 million to build a hangar on site to protect the plane while it's worked on. Moving the plane to a museum or some other location would cost about $500,000 said Poitras.

"A heart-wrenching decision awaits us by the end of the year," said Poitras.

"We know what we have here. This is a treasure. It's a national treasure," she said.

"We have no funding. We don't have much expertise, so we might have to decide if she could go to a Canadian museum."

The plane is one of six surviving Lancasters on display in Canada. It is the only one not in a museum setting.

"I know the value of this plane," said Poitras. "I know how important it is in the history of Canada and in the history of World War Two.

"This plane put an end to World War Two basically. It was part of the Dambusters [that bombed hydroelectric dams in Germany]," said Poitras.

"It did a lot of work for Canada and it deserves a much better future than what we seem able to get her."

Found it here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns ... -1.2626764

[APG85]

Lot's of potential like many planes that sit for decades on outdoor display and get into rough shape. Hopefully it will be saved and restored...

[David J Burke]

It won't cost anything like 500,000 Canadian Dollars to move it in Canada! Its simple to sort out -ring up the National Museum of the RCAF and ask if they want it ! Job done.

[Warbird Kid]

It won't cost anything like 500,000 Canadian Dollars to move it in Canada! Its simple to sort out -ring up the National Museum of the RCAF and ask if they want it ! Job done.

Ya know, that does seem to make the most sense. They have a Halifax, but no Lancaster. How great would it be to have both bombers in the same hangar?

Just looking on their site, it appears that the Spitfire is on outside display. Is this true?

[Thomas_Mac]

It won't cost anything like 500,000 Canadian Dollars to move it in Canada! Its simple to sort out -ring up the National Museum of the RCAF and ask if they want it ! Job done.

Just looking on their site, it appears that the Spitfire is on outside display. Is this true?

Its a replica

http://airforcemuseum.ca/en/aircraft-2/spitfire

I agree about that museum being a great home for the Lancaster though!

[Steve Nelson]

Agreed! Even if she has to spend a few years disassembled in storage it beats the alternative. It would be awesome to see a Lanc and Halifax displayed side by side.

The RCAF Museum's Spit and Hurri are both fiberglass replicas, but the rest of the outdoor aircraft are real. They're well cared-for, but it's still difficult to keep outdoor aircraft in good shape..some of the paint jobs are getting a bit rough.

SN

[k5083]

I have to say, not a word that Ms Poitras says about the condition and prospects of the aircraft strikes me as credible.

When I went to see it a few years ago, I was told it is in such good shape that it is the best candidate for the next restoration to airworthy.

I kind of doubt that too. The truth must be in between.

Trenton would indeed be an ideal place for it.

August

[Big Daddy]

Having seen up close what 40 years on a pedestal did to FM212, I have to believe that KB882 is in pretty rough shape. FM212 was blasted and re-painted several times over that period of time, her landing gear was retracted and she was inspected regularly. Even then, there was a ton of corrosion inside the wings, wing-tips and stabilizers. KB882 is not protected by paint and her under-carriage is open to the elements. And that open wound on the underside of the wing does not bode well. A recent inspection gave her 5 years before the nose collapsed. That indicates corrosion in the main fuselage joints. Bad news indeed. She needs to be dis-assembled and brought inside, quickly.

The CH2A has offered our assistance in any restoration that is to be done. Small groups like Windsor and Edmundston need to work together, pool resources, and if need be, share parts and expertise so that we can all benefit. Case in point... FM212 needs new bomb-bay doors. We have the expertise and materials to re-build them but need existing doors as a template. By allowing us to borrow and take KB882's doors apart, we could do any restoration they need and use them as a guide for re-building ours, returning their fully-restored doors to them. Win-win. It is this kind of collaboration that needs to happen for everyone to move ahead.

I hope Edmundston can find a way to save their Lanc and, at worst, find a new home for her where she can be repaired and displayed.

BD

[peter]

Wow some of the inaccuracies coming out about 882 would make for a memorable Monty python skit!

[Big Daddy]

Wow some of the inaccuracies coming out about 882 would make for a memorable Monty python skit!

Not sure what you mean. Care to elaborate?

[peter]

KB882 is not protected by paint BD

Good example there.. She was repainted at least once while in Edmundston..

[Big Daddy]

KB882 is not protected by paint BD

Good example there.. She was repainted at least once while in Edmundston..

Well, excuse me, sir. Looks like bare metal finish to me on that bird. Maybe you can enlighten us all as to the real story then.

[peter]

it might appear to be bare metal today, and she did fly in in bare metal scheme into Edmundston, but was repainted by a local auto spray paint guy back in the 80's What you see now is oxidized silver or aluminum paint ...

Here she is back in original polished metal years ago...