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Only a very few are left, they are now old and gray but they are still heroes.
WW2 was the largest Global conflict the world has ever seen, a time when the free world fought against the tyranny of Dictators. A time when the call went to young men across Canada to stand up against a wave of darkness that threatened to wash over Europe, the Pacific and threatened to spread to North America. Many joined the Royal Canadian Air Force.
For much of the time up to 1944 The Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force Bomber Commands were the only weapons available to strike back at the enemy in Europe and many of the crews flew the mighty Lancaster Bomber. Over 10,000 Canadians gave their lives fighting for freedom in Bomber Command alone, a terrible price that today is often forgotten or overwhelmed in the mountain of American stories and movies Canadians see.
July 31st the Canadian Warplane Heritage Lancaster Bomber arrives in Edmonton. This is more than just a WW2 Bomber; it is one of only two flying in the world today and a living tribute to all the young men that served the RCAF Bomber Command in WW2 and all the young men that never came home.
The Lancaster will be on display at the Alberta Aviation Museum on Kingsway at Edmonton City Centre Airport from its anticipated arrival between 4pm and 7pm on the 31st of July till August 2nd at 9pm. Come see and touch this part of Canada’s history.
The Lancaster Bomber, many built in Canada, carried the largest weapons load of any bomber in WW2. Many crewed by Canadians flew deep into the heart of enemy territory every night to strike at of the darkness that had overwhelmed Europe. No GPS, no radar, few navigation aids against a force of thousands of night fighters and tens of thousands of anti aircraft guns. 10,000 Canadians never returned form these missions, those that did are now old and gray, but they are still heroes.
The Alberta Aviation Museum will be staying open till 9pm July 31st, August 1st and 2nd so as many veterans, Edmontonians and Albertans as possible can see this living flying tribute to our veterans of WW2. Your regular museum admission allows viewing and tours (time permitting) of the Lancaster bomber as well as all the wonderful exhibits of the Alberta Aviation Museum.
We would like to thank the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for making this visit to Alberta possible and the opportunity for our Bomber Command veterans to see the mighty Lancaster, one more time.
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