JERRY SORRELL COLLECTION
No. 1709. Avro 683 Lancaster Mk.10 (C-GVRA c/n 3414)
Photographed at Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, 1985, by Jerry Sorrell

Avro 683 Lancaster Mk.10

02/15/2007. Remarks by Bill Ewing: "Originally an Avro Canada-built Lancaster Mk.10(SR) this aircraft first flew as FM213 in August 1945, was allotted to 107 Rescue Unit and converted to Mk.10MR in 1950. It was declared surplus and acquired by the Godrich Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in June 1964 for use as a memorial.

In 1977, the Canadian warplane Heritage of Hamilton, Ontario acquired the aircraft. It was transported from Godrich to Hamilton as a sling load below a Chinook helicopter of 450 Squadron, Canadian Forces. Once at Hamilton it underwent an extensive ten year restoration with the initial first run-up taking place in August of 1988. On Sepbember 11, 1988 it was flown registered as C-GVRA and finished in the colours and markings of the "Mynarski Lancaster" Mk.X KB726 coded VR-A.

Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski was the mid-upper gunner of the original KB726 that was lost over France on June 13, 1944. He was posthumously awared the Victoria Cross by the King on 11 October, 1946, in recognition of his couragous efforts to save a fellow crewmember after their Lancaster had been attacked and fire had broken out."


Created August 8, 2002