The Lanc., Lancaster Bomber.

At the War Heritage Museum in Hamilton Ontario is the only flyable Lancaster Bomber from WWII, in North America.

As I stood outside this day
A sound, distinct, unique did
Brush my ear.
In recognition I
Turned and rushed up
Seven flights.
Once on the roof
I looked around
Searching South
And to the West.
There; low o'er
The Lake she was
The Lady of the Sky.

Her four great Merlins
Roaring, twelve massive
Blades a blur.
Battle paint all
Fresh and clean
The Rondel 'round
The Maple Leaf.
Her twin tails stark
Against the sky.
Her Perspex nose
A Glinting eye.

And as she passed
I raised my arm
And waved her going by
Slowly as in a curtsy
Her port wing dipped reply.
On to the East she
Winged her way, Our
Lady of the Sky
So young the Knights
Who rode her kind
So young the ones
Who died.
A monument to those
Ten Thousand, the
Ones that ne'er returned.

Camac, since we were in Charleston this week and my grandson celebrated his 7th birthday, he wanted to go to Patriots Point which has the USS Yorktown with 25 aircraft and the submarine Clamagore. The aircraft carrier was packed with artifacts. You never really have a sense of how everyone worked and sacrificed until you board these ships. I know I would have mangled myself just going from Point A to Point B in a hurry (if I could find Point on this massive ship. And the submarine gives new meaning to up close and personal! If anyone is in Charleston, you should definitely go see them.

Flora

(I'm glad you are composing again)

flora;

I know what you mean. I had an uncle who served 13 years in the Royal Navy. His last ship was a Tribal Class Destroyer named the Bedouin which was sunk in the Mediterreanran in June 1942. For years at the Toronto water front a Canadian Tribal was tied up her name The Haida and she was a museum. I went on board and even though they were the largest destroyers ever if you were claustrophobic you wouldn't last long. I have also visited the War heritage Museum and sat in the cockpit of the Lanc I wrote about. She is a beauty.

As to composing again, well it is slowly returning.


Camac.

I just saw a history channel show on the Lancaster bomber.

Slàinte,     

Patch    

Patch;
There are three flyable Lancs in the world, one here in Hamilton Ontario and two in England. One of the English Lancs is in a private collection and although flyable the last I heard was unable to obtain an airworthy certificate. The owner seems to think it has something to do with politics.



Camac.

PS. The R.C.A.F lost ten thousand airmen in Bomber command, (1939-1945)

There are some things that are so important to our (world) history that they must never be allowed to fade away. The Lancaster is one of them.

They serve as reminders of the sacrifices made by those many years ago to secure the life we have today.

Slàinte,    

Patch    

The airport in Reading, PA, has an aircraft museum. They have several aircraft from different eras. Each June, they have WWII weekend and actually have many of the planes flying. They have a C130 that they fly once a month to keep the engine in operating condition. It is so cool to see this HUGE plane go flying overhead.

The other place to see planes is Dover, DE. The one highway divides the airbase there. It is a somber time there when you see the planes come in that are carrying our fallen soldiers.