The BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich is on a journey to raise funds for its iconic Second World War Lancaster Bomber.
The museum acquired the aircraft seven year ago. Mechanics from the museum are working away to bring it back to its former glory, but this process costs money.
Steve Nichol, president of the BC Aviation Museum, says that although it will cost money and time to refurbish the piece, it’s worth it because of the history the plane holds.
“It was the Royal Air Force’s most effective bomber during the Second World War. Our particular aircraft serial number FM104 went over to the U.K., went into the aircraft reserve pool there as a replacement aircraft, but the war ended so the aircraft was brought back to Canada,” said Nichol.
Nichol added that once completed, the plane will be on display for people to view, with the possibility of doing tours inside of it.
One way that the museum is raising funds is through a feature documentary movie premiere known as “Lancaster.” The sold-out gala is expected to raise around $5,000 dollars towards rebuild costs.
The museum’s admin manager, Julia Cairns, thinks that the film, along with the plane being transported to the theatre for the fundraiser, is a perfect match to raise awareness about the project.
“We are restoring a Lancaster and this film is all about Lancaster, so the goal of this is to raise some money actually for our restoration efforts of this very significant and iconic World War II bomber,” said Cairns.
The museum will be eventually auctioning off pieces of the plane to help raise more funds. Nichol could not state how much the project will cost and when the plane’s refurbishing will be completed.
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