Jan Willis Takes to the Air in VeRA
The summer of 2014 witnessed the historic arrival of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster to join with the BBMF in flight displays for an event called ‘Reunion of Giants’. Our Lancaster, nicknamed VeRA, flew from its home in Mount Hope, Ontario via the northern route stopping at Goose Bay (Labrador), Narsarsuaq (Greenland) and Keflavik (lceland) before arriving at RAF Coningsby four days after departure in a very fortunate break in rainy weather. I understand that the appearances by both surviving airworthy Lancs at air shows up and down the country were witnessed by huge crowds. Hopefully, Just Jane will one day take to the air.
L to R: Leon Evans, Jan Willis, Paul Woelfle, Liam Pearson
Here in Canada civilians can book a flight on VeRA during the summer months and last year my sons did just that for me. I was one of four civilian passengers on the hour-long flight on July 19. At the museum which VeRA calls home, in the preflight briefing we were instructed on how to enter the aircraft, when to be buckled in, when and how we could walk about. As on scheduled airline flights personal motion sickness bags are available but unlike on these flights ear defenders are required. We departed base and flew along the north shore of Lake Ontario towards Toronto then turned to the south crossing the lake to fly over Niagara Falls.
VeRA’s nose art depicts the Victoria Cross awarded to Andrew Mynarski RCAF
The last leg of the triangle took us back to Hamilton/Mount Hope airport. The rear gunner position in the tail and the bomb aimer's bay are not accessible but the mid-upper gunner's position gives a clear 360 degree view. I have to admit that the constant vibration did give me some concern towards the end of the flight but I now have some appreciation of what the
crews endured night after night.
Packard V-1650 Merlins
VeRA left the Victory factory in Malton in 1945, too late for war work but has since spent a career performing various duties until being rescued from being a gate guardian until the museum completed restoration in 1988. These Lancaster flights are the prime movers amongst all the museum's offerings. When booking opens the entire summers flights are gone in minutes, despite coming with a hefty price.
Jan Willis
Ottawa, Canada
