Historic wartime bomber returns to Winnipeg for special exhibition By: Matthew Frank Posted: 1:25 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 7, 2024 Last Modified: 10:44 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 7, 2024 Updates

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Calling all aviation buffs: an iconic wartime bomber will touch down in Winnipeg once again.

The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber airplane will be at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada from July 16 to July 17. It’s one of only two Lancaster bombers left in the world that can still take to the skies.

Peter Rokeby is brought to tears every time he sees the bomber.

“When I hear the engines, when I see it flight, I mean, it’s a majestic plane on the ground, but it really wants to be seen and heard in the air,” said Rokeby, who volunteers at the museum. “It’s a wonderful tribute.”

Rokeby’s father, Allan Conrad Collinson Rokeby signed up at age 18 and piloted a Lancaster for the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War.

He flew 34 missions from May to October 1944, many of which helped to prepare for the Allied D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.

Rokeby’s father’s bomber was part of 419 Squadron in the RCAF, the same squadron in which pilot officer Andrew Mynarski was a member.

“I’m incredibly proud of his actions. It was an important time for people to step up,” said Rokeby.

Rokeby decided to volunteer at the museum because he wanted to honour his father’s wartime legacy.

The visiting Lancaster, nicknamed VeRA, first flew to Winnipeg in 1989 and has been at the museum on three other occasions. It’s painted with the markings of 419 Squadron in memorial of Mynarski.

Mynarski, who was born in Winnipeg, was posthumously awarded with the Victoria Cross for his act of bravery trying to save a fellow crew member after his Lancaster was attacked. Mynarski tried to free the gunner despite the flames engulfing the bomber and burning his skin.

When he realized there was nothing he could do, Mynarski saluted the crew member and jumped out the aircraft. The crew member miraculously survived the crash. Mynarski survived the fall but had been burned so badly that he died within hours.

The Avro Lancaster was developed for the Royal Air Force to fight Nazi Germany in 1941.

By the end of the war, nearly 7,400 bombers had been built and flown on bombing runs. Canadians played roles in building, training and flying the aircraft, with more than 400 bombers built in a factory near Mississauga, Ont.

Terry Slobodian, president and CEO of the museum, said Winnipeg played an important role in training many of the pilots who would sit in the cockpits of Lancasters.

Slobodian’s uncle also piloted a Lancaster.

“As a result with this aircraft coming, we’re uncovering a lot of people whose father or whose grandfather have flown in that plane. There’s a strong connection because Winnipeg is such an important (Royal Canadian Air Force) town,” Slobodian said on Friday.

Rokeby said people should see the visiting bomber to pay tribute to the brave people who fought for freedom.

“We were incredibly fortunate to win that war. And it was because of the brave young men and women that served and built and sacrificed that we were able to win,” said Rokeby.

Visitors can purchase tickets to view the aircraft, take tours, and sit inside the plane. More information can be found at royalaviationmuseum.com.

matthew.frank@freepress.mb.ca