Museum
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Bomber Command
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Aircrew Chronicles
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Aircrew Losses
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Nose Art
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BCATP
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Lancaster
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Media
Museum
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Bomber Command
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Aircrew Chronicles
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Aircrew Losses
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Nose Art
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BCATP
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Lancaster
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Media
Bomber Command Museum Archived Newsletters
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The museum's annual event this summer will be an informal celebration of the Nanton Lancaster's Society's founding in 1986. Over the two decades since our incorporation, we have grown from becoming the custodian of a vandalized Lancaster mounted beside Highway #2 to an, about to be expanded (again), 26,000 square foot facility that has established an international reputation as Canada's Bomber Command Museum. The museum has welcomed over 400,000 visitors since 1986 and each has left knowing more of this important part of our history. This has been accomplished by a huge effort involving thousands of dedicated individuals. We are inviting as many of these people as possible - our members, our benefactors, our former student -employees, and our friends from across the country - to join us at the museum on August 26th to celebrate what has been achieved. |
 Lancaster FM159 being towed across the Little Bow River on its way to Nanton in 1960. This is how it all started! |
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The day will include an outdoor pancake breakfast and a luncheon and program in the hangar. We plan a full day of activities including Lancaster Merlin engine start-ups, demonstrations of our "taxi-able" Fleet Fawn, aircraft flypasts, music, and lots of time to relax, enjoy the museum displays, and to meet and visit with others who have played a role in the development of the museum. Further details and a ticket form will be mailed to members during June. This photo emphasizes the on-going preservation work being done by Society volunteers and supporters. Running a Merlin was indeed a major milestone of the past 20 years. |
We are pleased that David Bashow, author of "No Prouder Place - Canadians - and the Bomber Command Experience," has accepted our invitation to be a guest speaker at the museum's "Twentieth Anniversary Celebration" on August 26. In our view his book is the definitive work on the subject of Bomber Command. There is no better written record of the story we tell at the museum. This book recognizes the Canadian contribution to Bomber Command (25% of the personnel and 10,000 lives lost) within the context of what was one of the longest, greatest, and most costly military campaigns in history. As well, a 28 page appendix provides an objective analysis of the costs and gains of the bombing offensive, concluding that Bomber Command played "an essential part as a guarantor of victory" and that Canadians "should be extremely grateful to those warriors of the night who held firm and proud from the right of the line in European skies so many years ago." Published by Vanwell, this thoroughly researched, 544 page book is highly recommended. David Bashow retired from the Canadian Armed Forces following a long career as a fighter pilot, senior staff officer, and military academic. His flying career includes 2400 hours in the F-104 Starfighter. He is currently a professor of history at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. |
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Your museum has just published its fourth book titled, "People and Planes -Stories from the Nanton Lancaster Air Museum," authored by NLS board member, Dave Birrell. This book is in recognition of the twentieth anniversary of the Nanton Lancaster Society. True to our philosophy of connecting individuals to the aircraft and artifacts at the museum, the book tells the stories of thirty-five people whom we have come to know through the museum. Through these stories, the history presented at our museum is told; the wartime history of Bomber Command and the BCATP, the history of our Lancaster Bomber, and the history of the Nanton Lancaster Air Museum itself. "People and Planes" (6"x9", 220 pages, 250 photos) is available at the museum at a cost of $20 or it may be ordered with an additional charge of $5 for postage and handling. It is for sale in the museum gift shop and also through our Website. |
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The one BCATP aircraft in the museum that was restored as a static display a few years ago is presently dismantled. The fuselage is in the shop being upgraded and the wings are on special stands awaiting the time they can be reinstalled. The Kinner engine is being overhauled to a runnable condition by Gordon Neu, one of our shop volunteers. When all things are completed, it won't be airworthy, but will be taxiable for special events and maybe every once in awhile during the tourist season. Fleet fuselage in shop being restored. |
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NLS board member's Greg Morrison AME, and Bob Long, will be trying to complete this project in time for this year's annual event on August 26. Member Gordon Neu hopes to have the Kinner engine ready to install sometime in the next six weeks. Members should keep their fingers crossed in hope that time doesn't run out for completing the upgrade for the event! |
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On March 25, 42 members of the unique group, Independent Order of Old Bastards, of the Calgary area, paid a visit to the NLS Museum. Their spokesperson, Roger Taylor, had scheduled the visit so. This group is composed of veterans from all services whose object is fellowship. One of their objectives is to visit historical places of interest in Alberta. They had heard about the Memorial Wall and decided it was a "must" to visit. The group arrived at 11 a.m. and Jim Wiersma, one of the museum board members, met the group and toured them through the museum. Local Royal Canadian Legion #80 members were also in attendance to assist and answer questions. The tour culminated the presentation of donations amounting to $330. Museum volunteers, Peggy Duthie and Ashley Burrows, accepted the cheques on behalf of the Society. The group then assembled outside at the local Cenotaph and in solemn tribute laid a wreath. Roger Taylor expressed thanks on behalf of the group, saying the tour was an exceptional one that harkened many memories. He commented that the museum is an historical showpiece and is very well done. |
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The museum has acquired a Royal Air Force, Air Ministry Scramble Bell. Weighing 18 kg and with a diameter of 10.5 inches, we feel this is a major acquisition. Flecks of red paint indicate it was likely used as a fire bell and the date suggests it was brought from the UK and saw service on one of the RAF operated BCATP Station. We would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has knowledge of where this bell might have been used, here in Alberta or elsewhere. |
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The Wartime Memories Project in England announces that the DVD "The Forgotten Hero" is now available. This documents the story of the Statue to Andrew Mynarski VC, which was unveiled at ex-RCAF Middleton St. George in June 2005. The DVD tells a brief history of RCAF Middleton St. George, and the men who flew the hazardous missions, including interviews with veterans, telling their experiences in their own words. The story of Andrew Mynarski is retold, accompanied by a dramatic reconstruction of the events. The story of the making of the 8 ft. bonze statue is also told. Also included is a question and answer session with Pat Brophy's two daughters, Colleen Bacon and Sherry Sullivan, filmed when they visited Middleton St. George school. There is also a very thought provoking interview with sculptor Keith Maddison and air historian Geoff Hill giving their thoughts and feelings having re-enacted the events, in full flying kit, which took place in the Lancaster on that night sixty years ago. On the second disc is the full unveiling ceremony with the emotional fly past of the Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster. |
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#4 MERLIN ENGINE START-UP A decision has been made to make #4 Merlin engine runnable. After the successful repairing and running of #3 engine, the directors have directed the now considerably experienced Merlin crew to proceed on #4. There will be more work done on this one as a result of the learning experience on #3 with the hope that this engine will not oil-foul the spark plugs as does #3. |
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Jack Dueck reasoned that seeing as how our Society is very involved in the world Lancaster scene, we should have representation at this week-long air extravaganza. Due to Jack's contacting EAA's Air Venture personnel on behalf of our Lancaster Society, we have been invited to play a significant role at AirVenture this year. We will be allowed a tent on Aeroshell Square to house our booth and display, at no cost other than rent for a tent and necessary equipment for displays. We will be allowed to sell gift items to help offset costs. Jack has also found accommodation that would be available for 4 or 5 persons. As part of this representation, it was suggested that Nanton's former Lancaster pilot, Joe English, should be persuaded to attend. Subsequently, Joe was contacted and is excited about attending. EAA officials have confirmed they would like to feature Joe as an impromptu speaker at the EAA Museum Theatre and where he could be available to sign autographs, etc. It appears that we "definitely are going to Oshkosh!" |
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In June 2005 we had an inquiry from Don Patterson of Edmonton, AB, asking if we would be interested in a donation of his late father's wartime memorabilia. (His father was S/L Donald Patterson.) We answered in the affirmative, with the proviso that the items would not likely be exhibited until the museum building expansion was completed. In Early January of this year Don and his family delivered the above pictured "fire screen" (which could double as a tea table.) The centre of this very fine mahogany table is a 20"x28", handmade petit-point of the 426 Squadron Crest, exhibited under glass. Don, senior, had this made up just prior to his passing away in 1982. The petit-point was done by a lady who lost a son in aircrew during WWII. The Paterson family has indicated more memorabilia will be forthcoming. Ex S/L Don Patterson, was also involved with the group who purchasing the Lancaster that is part of the Calgary Aero Space Museum's collection at the old Calgary airport. NLS is pleased to accept these items for future exhibit. THANKS to Don Patterson and his family for adding to the museum's collection. |
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The items in the photo were donated a few months ago by, Ernie Leonhardt, Westerose, AB. These items are from a Lancaster bomber purchased after WWII by Ernie's father. Ernie occasionally stops in at the museum with some last remaining odds and ends from the Leonhardt Lancaster and an Avro Anson. The parts illustrated above are a mix from both aircraft. Our grateful THANKS go out to Ernie Leonhardt for his continuing support. |
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Shown here, is a display of Douglas "Duke" Warren's WWII flying Goggles. NLS had the goggles specially framed for display in the museum. Duke wore these during his 235 Squadron ops as a Spitfire pilot. |
