Thwaites’ Lancaster Bomber is set to play its own part in military history this summer, as it is unveiled as the headline sponsor of a landmark trip which will see Canada’s only airworthy Lancaster Bomber fly to the UK as part of a month-long commemorative tour.
The Avro Lancaster Bomber, which is owned by the Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum, will depart from its base in Ontario on 4th August, bound for RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The 3,700 mile journey, which is set to be completed over four days, will include en-route stops at Goose Bay, Canada, Narsarsuaq, Greenland, and Keflavik, Iceland.
The aircraft – an enduring symbol of World War II – will feature at a host of high-profile air shows across the UK including Eastbourne, Bournemouth and Shoreham, where it will be united with the RAF’s only remaining airworthy Lancaster Bomber.
The pair will return to the skies under the watchful glare of the world’s media, in an aviation partnership which is unlikely to be seen again.
Thwaites’ momentous announcement comes on the 71st anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, otherwise known as Operation Chastise, in which a fleet of RAF Lancaster Bombers struck dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley.
The latest sponsorship activity complements Thwaites’ hugely successful Give A Dam campaign, in which 5p from every pint of Lancaster Bomber sold has been donated to Leonard Cheshire Disability – a charity founded by former Bomber Command veteran, Group Captain Leonard Cheshire.
Steve Magnall, managing director of Thwaites, brewers of Lancaster Bomber, said: “We are extremely honoured to sponsor Canada’s Avro Lancaster Bomber as it makes its historic journey to the UK this summer.
“We couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity to help unite the world’s last two remaining airworthy Bombers and the sight of these two majestic aircraft will leave a lasting impression on those who are lucky enough to witness them flying together, right here in the UK, for the very last time.
“We’re thrilled that Lancaster Bomber will be able to build on the success of its 2013 campaign – in which we donated over £30,000 to Leonard Cheshire Disability. This sponsorship brings our campaign full circle in a way we couldn’t have possibly imagined and we expect demand for the ale to be at an all-time high across both on and off trade.
“Our ale drinkers are passionate about respectfully remembering those men and women who fought for our freedom and we can’t think of a better way to commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of our nations’ air forces. We hope many will join us in raising a glass to those Bomber Command veterans who gave their lives in the name of liberty.”
Pamela Rickards of Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Thwaites’ Lancaster Bomber as our headline sponsor. There is an obvious synergy between our historic aircraft and this wonderful British ale and both parties are incredibly humbled to be honouring our nations’ fallen heroes, with this summer’s historic schedule of activity.”
Lancaster Bomber ale, which has twice been voted Best English Bitter at the European Beer Star Awards, is available to buy in selected stores across the UK including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booths and online retailer Ocado.
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